Emily and a number of other girls signed up for a new hip-hop class session which was to have started on Wednesday. I walked Emily into the school, as I usually do, to make sure the class would be held. Good thing, because the instructor never showed up. Several girls had just been dropped off by their parents and were left with no supervision. An office worker made frantic calls to the NORP, which is the recreational department which handles these after-school programs. And they sent a lady over to supervise the kids and make sure they got ahold of their parents.
The reason I am writing about this is because it appears the parents put so much pressure on the student teacher she just up and quit with no notice. Several times while I was there, outside the gym where they practiced, I heard the intstructor take one or more girls aside and speak to them about their behavior. Some of these girls were beginners, and they complained that the instructor went too fast. The ones who had already taken the class were somewhat bored while the instructor worked more with the newer girls. And finally, there were some girls who complained and even burst into tears, and told their mothers they didn't want to be in the class anymore. Of course, there are no refunds once the class starts! These mothers complained to the instructor, and apparently called the director of the aforementioned NORP. Bottom line, these complaining, misbehaving, and might I add somewhat spoiled girls and their mothers put so much pressure on the young teacher that she quit. Yet, most students had no complaints at all and just loved the class. They were excited about it and signed up for all 3 sessions. The class was so popular it was expanded into beginners, advanced, and this session they added a boy's class. Now there is no instructor. Of course, I am assuming she quit because of the pressure, I don't know that for sure, but I can say I saw her having to explain herself to some of the mothers and even some of the students, and it sure appeared as though she was always trying to placate someone. My point here is that teachers who correct disruptive students who don't listen are going to get angry parents up in their face. No matter that those who are there to listen and learn get cheated. There are parents out there who drop their problem kids off for someone else to deal with, and then get up in the teacher's face because she tries to settle them down so they can learn the activity they signed up and paid for. I haven't put this very well, I know, it's late and I'm tired. I just wanted to vent.
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9 comments:
I THINK YOU PUT IT VERY WELL. I ONCE TAUGHT A TALENTED AND GIFTED (T.A.G.) COURSE IN ASTRONOMY. MOST OF THE KIDS IN THE CLASS WERE REALLY INTERESTED. BUT THERE WERE TWO GIRLS THERE THAT WERE SO OUT OF CONTROL - THAT I BELEIVE THAT THE PARENTS DIDN'T WANT THEM HOME ON SATURDAY MORNINGS & JUST DUMPED THEM OFF. AFTER SEEING SOME OF THE THINGS ON NANNY 911 & OTHER SHOWS OF IT'S TYPE - I BELIEVE THAT MORE THAN EVER. I'M GRATEFUL THAT MY PARENTS TAUGHT ME BETTER.
I have coached and babysat and been in charge of other people's children many, many times. I know for a fact that some parents who can't deal with their children sign them up for everything they can. Not surprisingly, the parents themselves can be very unreasonable and hard to deal with.
I think that's sad.
Ya know the saddest part? Dance classes offered other places are really, really expensive. I'm betting this class was a much smaller amount - and now kids like my emmadoodle won't get to learn to do what they have really loved and enjoyed doing.
My poor doodlebutt
Yes, it was inexpensive, it was cheap babysitting for those brats who stirred up all the trouble. They said they would try to find another teacher, but it won't do any good unless they can find a way to keep the bitchy mommies at bay.
Update: NORP has found an adult instructor with four years hip-hop experience. The only bad part is that Emily will be going on Friday's and we haven't worked out the schedule yet. Hopefully this adult woman will have better control over the students and the parents will be less likely to chase her away with their complaints. Which will hopefully be non-existant!
It's all fun and games until somebody brings an assualt rifle in the trunk of their car.
(the apparently tasteless comment which precedes should be viewed in the light of a social commentary on the potential outcomes of adding pressure to an emotionally charged situation involving school age children and inept parenting)
I don't know what brought all that on, but I'll have a talk with Cindy.
Thank you all for your comments. There were some comments made that are unacceptable. Following is a list of people whose comments are unacceptable:
1. Trophy Wife.
(The End)
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