New Instructors....

GatorGirl4Life started this discussion · 11/8/2009

I have been teaching pole for about 4 years now, and only for 1 year at the studio I am currently with. The owners want more pole instructors (we already have 4 pole instructors, not including the others who just teach cardio classes), although this is the only location they have right now. They approached me about an instructors training program, and when I laid it all out for them, they said they were interested, but that was about it. Last week the new schedule for November was up, and I saw they have a new instructor on the schedule. The new instructor has only taken 7 pole classes, but says she comes from a "fitness" background. When she took my Pole 1 class, she was having trouble doing things like the pirouette and the Diamond (or open leg front hook spin) properly. I don't think she has a pole at home to practice on, and her personality is nil. When she was in my classes, she didn't interact with the other students AT ALL, and stayed in the back corner of the room. I expected her to come up to me afterwards and ask questions about teaching or SOMETHING, but she just packed up her stuff and left with every one else. I REALLY don't feel that she is qualified AT ALL to teach, but I'm afraid if I say too much to the owner about it, I will over step my boundaries. The owner has only been pole dancing as long as the business has been open (a little over a year) and has a LOT on her plate (currently moving, trouble with the husband, etc) 🙄 . I want to do my due diligence, but I don't want the owner to think I am trying to run the place and dictate who is capable of teaching. I am afraid this new girl doesn't know anything about safety or how to explain the breakdown of basic moves and someone will get hurt. I would love to hear you guys' opinion on what I should do. Should I try to talk to the owner again and emphasize this girl can't possibly be ready to instruct or just let her teach and bomb?? This has been bugging me really badly for about a week now.... Thanks in advance.

5 replies

Layla Duvay · 11/8/2009
I know nothing about pole instructing, but I teach for a living and I would be really concerned. You say the owner's busy and having a tough time? How much busier would she be if students started getting injured due to lack of knowledge on the part of the instructor? Even if her insurance would cover it, bad word-of-mouth, possible media coverage, etc. could damage the business. The fact that she didn't interact with students raises a red flag for me and I would question her motives as an instructor. You don't have to know absolutely everything about what you're teaching, but student interaction and engagement is job 1. You can't teach if you know nothing about who you're teaching and what their needs are. Also, you should be scouring every possible resource to fill in your knowledge gaps as they arise. Maybe ask the new instructor what her motives are. Maybe it was an off day for her? See if you could scout out a possible replacement and present the owner with a "here's the problem and I have a solution" approach. Even if nothing comes of it, you've said your piece, (tactfully) and you've done your due diligence. It sounds to me like you're a good teacher!! Good luck!! 🌸
SissyBuns · 11/9/2009
Hi Allie, Me personally. I would feel compelled to bring it up to the owner, at least once. I know she has a lot on her plate but I think the studio and the students that attend it are her responsibility too and she should want to make sure they're all getting the best instruction that she can provide them. I'd offer to help the "new girl" (if she wanted it) and see if we could get her up to a instructor level, at least for the basic stuff, as soon as possible. If the owner didn't do anything about it, then I'd just have to watch her bomb and watch the studio lose clientele or get a bad rep because of new instructors being thrown into classes when they're not ready. 😐 And that would suck.
Angel1201 · 11/9/2009
The owner is making bad choices, obviously. However, she is the owner. I'd mention it once then leave it be and let the chick crash and burn. People who attend her class will eventually complain or just stop coming b/c she sucks. Perhaps then the owner will get a clue. It seems she's only interested in putting a warm body in the room to keep the funds rolling in for herself. If people avoid that class then the owner won't make money and then she'll make a change. I teach and we've had the same thing happen at my studio. It's really hard to find a quality instructor. I paid for myself to get further training so I'd be better and the owner didn't give 2 shits that I did that. She just wants someone to make sure that class is 'fun'. That's the problem when a pole studio owner is not a pole dancer nor an instructor. They just don't 'get it'. Thankfully, the crappiest instructors have come and gone for one reason or another. You can't worry about the other instructors, all you can do is ensure you teach well and keep your students safe. People will come to your class as long as you are good.
GatorGirl4Life · 11/10/2009
Thanks girls. I had previously mentioned it to the owner about the safety and training, so I guess I will just let it pan itself out, like you said with the people complaining and not showing up....Hopefully no one will be hurt in the process...
p1nkpr1ncess · 11/10/2009
That doesn't sound very good hun! At our pole studio you have to have a minimum of 1 years experience AND atleast gym instructor qualifaction level 2 before you can even take the "test lesson" to see if you are offered a job. They also have an intense training corse for people planning on becoming an instructor. I'm not sure what you should do really, like the others have said it might be best so just let her get on with it and hope that no-one gets hurt. Is she still taking lessons herself? And improving every week etc? Some pole studios are ok with them learning as they go along and teach what they know etc. Hope that someone else a bit more qualified comes forward in the meantime! -x-