Posts Tagged ‘ask’

Advice for dance teachers

Dear Rhee,
I recently discovered that one of my students, Joanne (not her real name), who is 15 and has been with me since she was 3, is having issues with drug addiction. This young lady is talented, sweet, and focused when she is at my school. I have taken her under my wing because her parents have had their own problems with drugs and alcohol. Sometimes I see her sitting outside, waiting for her ride home, and it never comes. Her parents forget to pick her up, so I give her a ride. A couple of times she has cried all the way home because she’s embarrassed. I assure her that I don’t judge her by her parents’ actions and that I will be there for her if she needs anything.

I had no idea, but Joanne was also taking drugs, which she was stealing from her parents, and she went into a drug rehabilitation center for 30 days. I visited her right away and I would have been there every day, but the center limited her visitors at first.

Joanne’s predicament threw a monkey wrench into several pieces of competition choreography. We fixed the choreography and, in some cases, replaced Joanne with another dancer. Joanne’s classmates at the school have been very supportive and have sent her cards. I am moved by their kindness and sensitivity. They amaze me with their nonjudgmental attitude toward Joanne, but I know it is because she is such a good kid; you can’t help but love her despite her problems.

Then I received an email from a parent who told me that she would not bring her daughter back to my school next year if I accepted Joanne back in the fall. She says she thinks Joanne is a bad influence on the other children and doesn’t want her daughter in the same room with her. Throughout her email she degrades Joanne, calling her a loser, and I cannot write what she wrote about Joanne’s parents. I felt hatred in her correspondence.

I don’t think Joanne is a loser; she is a victim of her circumstances, and I feel that she needs the support and normalcy that dance gives her. Her studio family is much more supportive of her than her parents are. She needs dance in her life.

I feel an obligation to do what I can to help her, but the mom who sent me the email tells me she is not alone in her belief that Joanne should not return to my school. There is no way I am going to give up on Joanne. Can you help me with some advice on how to respond to this mom and the other parents who feel the same way? —Anonymous

Dear Anonymous,
You are to be commended for being what I think is a true teacher—one who does not judge her students and who is there when a student needs help and support. Some teachers, out of fear of losing students, would give up on the child because of the risk involved. I admire your determination to do what is best for Joanne.

I always tell dance teachers that they have much more responsibility than teaching steps or enlisting new students. The most important gifts they can offer to their students are self-esteem and a sense of belonging. If Joanne develops a passion for dance, I believe it will have more influence on her future than all the negative stuff that her parents are throwing her way. Every child is in your classroom for a reason, and regardless of what happens in Joanne’s future, I am sure that she will never forget the dance teacher who believed in her.

So what to do about the email? Call the parents together for a meeting to discuss how you feel. Explain that you wouldn’t give up on their children if they found themselves in the same circumstance. I have a feeling that the mom who sent you the email will realize that her attitude is wrong and that the majority of the other parents will stand behind you. If she does pull her child from your school, then it will be her loss—and her child’s. It sounds to me like your school is the perfect place for young people to grow up in and that you are a special teacher.

Another thought: Look through your roster of students to see if one of them has a parent who is a counselor or psychologist who might offer you some advice on dealing with the parents. Better yet, maybe you could ask that person to come to your meeting to support you and offer input.

Bravo to you for setting an example for all of us. —Rhee

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Dear Rhee,
I am wondering what your opinion is on newspaper advertising for registration. I have done very little print advertising in the past, but some of my competitors are taking full-page ads in the local newspaper and I am not sure if I should be doing the same thing. Do you think they are gaining students whom I will never get because I don’t advertise in the newspaper? —Laura

Hello Laura,
Good question! Recently I did a survey of dance school owners to determine their advertising strategies. It turns out that more than 67 percent of respondents are advertising in local newspapers. The only form of marketing that came in higher is a website, at a little more than 71 percent, but many of those with websites are also doing newspaper advertising.

In my research I have discovered that it takes 13 views of a logo for it to sink into a reader’s mind. So my strategy would not be to run full-page ads, because the majority of school owners could not afford 13 or more ads of that size. Instead, I would go with a series of smaller ads, run more often. I think ads that are one-sixth or one-quarter page, running over a series of weeks, would be more effective than a couple of full-page ads.

A few more statistics from our survey: Almost 53 percent of school owners are marketing with direct mail and postcards, but Internet marketing is on the rise. Email blasts are up 15 percent from our last survey at almost 26 percent, and social networking sites (which didn’t even show up in past surveys) are at almost 13 percent.

The bottom line for all school owners is to experiment to determine what works best for their business. Always ask those who inquire about your school how they heard about you to determine which marketing strategies are working best for you.

By the way, my brother’s school is still doing newspaper advertising, but his ads are much smaller than they were several years ago and he has gradually incorporated more Internet marketing to cover all the bases. If you can afford it, I think diversity in marketing is the key. Good luck! —Rhee

 

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Dear Rhee,
I am currently employed at the school I grew up at. Three years ago, I was offered $12 per hour for my classes and I was thrilled to be paid for doing something that I love. Now I am headed into my fourth year of teaching and I am taking on more classes and some of the office work (which I am not paid for). After four years, I feel that I should receive a raise, but the subject never comes up from the school owner.

When I started, the owner taught about 30 hours a week and I did about 5 hours myself. Now I am doing the 30 and she is doing about 5 hours. Frankly, I feel like I am being taken advantage of, but I don’t have the guts to speak up. This school has become my entire life, but I can’t afford to move out of my parents’ house, nor do I have time to take on another job. What are your thoughts? —Michelle

Hello Michelle,
I’m not sure why the owner of the school has not taken it upon herself to discuss your compensation, especially after you have been working at the same rate for three years. She may believe that the increased hours she has given you are compensation enough, but that is just a guess on my part.          

Obviously, you have the confidence and the passion to be a good teacher, otherwise you would not be handed more classes each year. It is time for you to grab on to that confidence and speak up to the school owner (in a kind way). Let her know how much you love what you do and that you are willing to take on whatever she needs from you, but also explain that you would like to be able to afford your own place and make a living by teaching for her.

Hopefully she will understand your position and appreciate that you are standing up for yourself. If not, you may have to do some thinking about whether this is the right place for you to be employed. I wish you good luck. —Rhee

Advice for dance teachers

Dear Rhee,
I am a ballet school owner who has been in business for 21 years. Recently a student’s mother told me that her daughter would not be returning in the fall because they feel that I am old-fashioned. (I am 44 years old.) The mom said that requiring my students to wear a black leotard and pink tights to ballet class was “out of style” and that her daughter wanted to wear colors that would look better with her complexion. She also told me that it was ridiculous to require my students to wear their hair pulled back.

Students sometimes quit because ballet isn’t right for them or because they want to try something else, but I’ve never lost a student because I was “old-fashioned.” My dress code has been in place since I opened my school and I have never had a complaint about it.

What really concerns me is that this student is very popular at school and among my other students. She and her mother are badmouthing me, and I am afraid I will lose other students because of the dress code. I am so upset that someone would leave my school because of something that has nothing to do with the quality of my training. Should I eliminate my dress code? Please help! —Mariah

Hello Mariah,
Please don’t give in to this ridiculous mom and student. There are parents and kids who don’t understand or appreciate dance like those who have the passion do. It’s OK; we will not win everyone over all the time. But we are the spark that lights the fire for those who choose to discover the dance in their soul! It’s sad, and hard to understand, but some students look in the mirror and notice their complexion and not the dance spirit that is looking them in the face.

If you don’t already do it, I suggest that you include a statement about why you have a dress code in your literature or handbooks. When students and parents understand that there’s a reason for the dress code, they are more likely to accept it without question.

If you are “old-fashioned,” so am I and so are thousands of other dance educators who read Dance Studio Life. I will wear that badge proudly, and I’m sure others would too. You are to be applauded and appreciated! —Rhee

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Dear Rhee,
My dance studio is in its tenth year of business. It is fairly small, but I keep trying new things to attract more students since two other studios are nearby. Since I am older than most studio owners just starting out, I have younger teachers working for me. All of them were my students.

One of them, whom I have known since she was a baby, is in her early 20s, and her mother is my receptionist. Occasionally I get complaints that she is too strict with the students, and I have to defuse the situation with the parents so as not to lose a student. Then there are students whom this teacher gets really close to—she babysits them, drives them to and from the dance studio and competitions, and takes them on outings.

At a competition this teacher told one of my students that she was getting too close to one of the team members and needed to be friends with all of the members. The girl was devastated and her mother complained to me. We have had some clique-type trouble at the studio, but I felt that a competition was not the place to take care of this. When I told the teacher that she should have let me deal with this situation, she went crying to her mother. Every time I try to discuss problems with her, this is what happens, and then her mother becomes angry with me.

I can sit down and discuss problems with my other teachers like adults. Is it a problem that this teacher and her mother get so close to the students? I feel it compromises the student–teacher relationship and that other students might see the behavior as favoritism. How should I handle this? —Ashlee

Hi Ashlee,
The first thing that comes to mind is that this teacher is not mature enough to be teaching. If she were, she would understand that a proper teacher–student (or teacher–parent) relationship should be professional at all times. That means that teachers don’t hang out with their students. This teacher should baby-sit only children who are not her students, and she should not be taking her students on outings.

There is another conflict here: the teacher’s mom works for you and gets mad at you for telling her daughter (one of your employees) what you expect as boss and owner. This teacher and her mom don’t understand the professional side of the relationship.

The fact that you have to deal with one ounce of stress when speaking your mind to an employee is a situation that you need to change. Employees who cry when they are told how they can improve or what is expected of them are not emotionally ready to be teaching.

Yes, you are the one who should be handling the clique issues you described and a competition is not the place to do it. Have one last talk with this teacher and her mom, and if things don’t change, then it’s time for you to initiate the change that has to happen. I wish you luck. —Rhee

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Dear Rhee,
We are having a big problem at the school where I teach. It is early registration time for next year, and suddenly people don’t want their children to be in the same class as some other students. The owner of the school is very good at letting the students know that that they belong in the class she has put them in. I know parents want their children to be in a more advanced level, but that isn’t so much the problem. It seems like people think they are better than one another and don’t want to be in class with them.

This idea is so far from the studio culture the owner has created. Our students are diverse—all ages, races, religions, and sizes. It is truly a melting pot and everyone is accepted for who they are. The philosophy of the school is making sure that every student who walks through the door feels loved and accepted. The owner is always on her game and nips any gossip or negativity in the bud, so we can’t figure out where this is coming from.

Any advice you have would be greatly appreciated. If I learn nothing else from this experience, I am learning how, if I ever become a parent myself, not to behave. —Annabelle

Dear Annabelle,
Although the behavior of these parents goes against your school’s philosophy, it’s obvious that they feel comfortable enough to express their opinions. So in order to solve this problem, you and the school owner need to figure out why this has happened. Has one mom spread her opinion to other parents, causing them to jump on the bandwagon? Could it be that the parents have been allowed to express their opinions on similar things in the past and so they feel perfectly comfortable telling you who should or should not be in their child’s class?

The parents need to be told that the school owner is the only decision maker regarding class placement and that their input will not be considered. She is the person who knows which students need a challenge and which are not ready for it, and she is a professional when it comes to those decisions.

It’s time for her to make changes so that parents don’t feel comfortable enough to tell her how to run her school. My first instinct is to say something along the lines of, “I appreciate your opinions, but decisions on class placement are based on my professional knowledge. I’m sure you wouldn’t want me to listen to an inexperienced parent who thinks your child isn’t capable of being in a particular class.”

Talk to your boss about how you can keep fighting for what you believe is the right culture for the school, and tell her I said not to let anyone tell her how to do things. All the best to you. —Rhee

Advice for dance teachers

Dear Rhee,
I read in your Q&A section about studio owners expanding locations. I was thinking about expansion two years ago myself and am glad I didn’t do it. Many homes are in foreclosure and people are losing their jobs—and this is a more affluent area that seemed to be stable. I had 485 students in 2006 and now I have 235, the number I had my first year in business, six years ago.

The students we do have are dedicated and happy, as is my staff. But I am out of money. My expenses in payroll, accounting, advertising, and rent have all increased since my first year. I just had a baby and my 16 instructors and office manager are running the studio beautifully while I recover. I have subs for the six classes I teach. I know I will teach more classes next season, but I am actually considering lowering my rates in order to stimulate an interest in dance and make it accessible to the population again. Any thoughts? —Affected by Economy

Dear Affected,
I am sorry to hear about your circumstance, and I want to assure you that you are not alone. Many school owners across the United States and Canada are feeling the strain of the economy. They too are losing enrollment and finding that the unemployment rate in their area is making it impossible for parents to afford to keep their children dancing.

Although we can’t predict what will happen down the road, I’m finding that dance schools in pockets of North America are feeling the pinch, while other areas have not been hit as hard. The latter group is maintaining their enrollment numbers, and I have spoken with some school owners whose enrollment is actually up this season.

Overall it seems that though many households are forced to cut back on expenses, parents want to keep their children dancing or in their other activities. Keeping your children active is a good thing in today’s society, and many parents are doing what they can to make that happen.

The most important thing you can do is be realistic and start eliminating expenses right away. In your situation, I would think about the possibility of combining some of the smaller classes and reevaluating whether a school with 235 students needs to maintain a faculty of 16. One of the keys to making it through this period is consistent, realistic self-evaluation of your status and what steps you need to take to make it to the other side of this major bump in the road.

Regarding lowering the cost of tuition, I feel conflicted. My instinct says not to do it. I believe that if you do, once the economy improves you will have a hard time increasing your rates to where they are today. And that could make your own economic slump last longer than it has to. If you cut your rates to encourage new enrollment, your current clients will want the discounted rate as well. And if you do not get new enrollment, your business will be bringing in less income than it does today.

That said, if your instinct tells you that you can bring in a good enrollment with this move, then I can’t advise against it. But please look at the numbers first. Know how much your income from your current clientele will decrease and how many new students you must enroll to make up for that loss. Target the additional number of students that you need to acquire to increase your profits, and then do everything in your power to make it happen.

It’s also important to keep your cool and understand that this is about the state of the economy and not about you. Lately I have met school owners who believe that they are experiencing a downturn because they have done something wrong or because they are not good enough. It’s not about the quality of their work or a lack of passion; it is about an economy that is far beyond any school owner’s control. This is a time when dance school owners need to be as creative with their business strategies as they are with their choreography and curriculum. Evaluate where the income is really coming in and know that you must focus on what you do best to stay ahead in the economic game. Let go of your ego and emotions that can keep you from doing what you know is best for your future. Try new things, and look at this as a time when we all need to get back to the basics in life, our classrooms, and our schools.

I wish you all good things. —Rhee

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Dear Rhee,
I own a dance studio in a small shopping center with four stores. I am in my third year of running the studio and on the last term of my lease. After attending the DanceLife Teacher Conference last summer, I was ready to get back into the swing of things. But as soon as I got back I found out that one store that was in my center had moved and my landlord had rented the space to a young girl who is starting a ballet academy.

Since then I have not been myself. I am so worried about this ballet studio that it is consuming me. I feel betrayed by my landlord and, most of all, lost. Parents are already asking me if I know who this girl is. And since my lease is up in August, I am scared that my landlord might throw me out, since he knows this girl’s father.

I had asked the landlord to let me know if any space opened in this center. When I found out about the opening and asked him about it, he told me that parking was an issue since my studio uses the bulk of the center’s lot. Then he told me they didn’t want to rent two buildings to one person. I explained to him that I teach ballet too and that we would be competing with each other, and he said that he would have this girl call me to discuss the situation, which she never did.

So my question is, should I resign my lease there and look for another space? Sometimes I feel like quitting, but when I focus on teaching my classes, especially the little ones, I know I love it. I know that right now, especially with the economy, getting a new space might be hard, but I see the benefits of it also. When I go to the studio now, the first thing I do is look at her studio, because she is in the storefront and my studio is in the back. I could use your advice and guidance. —Janine

Hello Janine,
Coincidentally, I recently spoke with a woman who had opened a dance school next door to another. I asked her, “Why did you make the choice that you did?” Before she could answer, I added, “Did it cross your mind that the move would be perceived as unethical?” Her response: “This is America; capitalism is alive and well, and I am taking advantage of the situation, even if it puts the other school out of business.” It’s not very often that I want to smack a person, but I did at that moment.

I relate your tale to that conversation. Yes, America is based on capitalism, but I do believe that there must have been a time when we mixed integrity, ethics, and just plain old respect into the recipe for success.

With all that said, from what you’ve described, it’s time for you to start looking for a new location. Get a lawyer to scan your current lease to be sure that your landlord has the right to rent to a competing business. If there is not a clause in the lease that he is unaware of, then ask the lawyer to get you out of the lease. And while he’s working on that, find a new location. Make your move as soon as possible so that your clientele will be familiar with your new home before the end of this season. That should keep them from entertaining the thought of going to the new ballet school in your former location.

I understand that you are not yourself and that this dilemma is consuming you, but you have to whip yourself into shape to carry on with your dream. You will discover that this is a kick in the butt that will force you to take a leap into something new. Chances are you will be smarter, better, and stronger when this situation is behind you. Don’t allow it to get you down; see it as motivation to make yourself the best you can be, and hold your head high. As corny as it sounds, what goes around comes around. Carry on with your ethical capitalism intact. —Rhee