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 Ask Rhee Gold
Dance educators seek advice about teaching
issues
Q: Dear Rhee,
I’ve figured out that the business side
of my dance school is more than I can take. When I read your
magazine, I learn about teachers who are in the same place I
am, but their issues seem to be different. It’s not
listening to crabby parents that bothers me; I do well with
them. And it doesn’t have to do with not making a living,
because I have done very well. The hard part for me is having
to deal with my employees.
I started my school because I love to dance
and I wanted children to be in love with the art form too.
Back then I was the only teacher, along with a student’s mom
who acted as a secretary; together we ran the school for seven
years. She is gone; it’s 20 years later and I have 400
students, 7 teachers, 2 secretaries, and some part-time
employees who are supposed to help keep this school on track.
My employees bicker about who’s going to
do what work and some have told me point blank, “That’s
not part of my job description—have someone else do it!”
Another big concern of mine is running a professional
operation, which includes arriving at work on time. Day after
day I find myself explaining to parents and kids that my
secretary is going to be late or that class will start late
because Miss So-and-So is stuck in traffic. This happens all
the time, yet my concern for arriving on time is the first
thing I discuss with all potential employees and the first
topic addressed in our employee handbook. I reiterate my
feelings in every meeting, but for some reason I can’t fix
this one.
I am no longer upset because I know I have
made my best effort to change things and I accept that it
isn’t going to happen (short of firing everyone, and I’m
not going there). After much contemplation, I’ve narrowed
down my options to two. First (the one I like the most, but
I’m not sure if I’m crazy) is to go back to where I
started with myself and maybe one other teacher and a
secretary. I want just one classroom (now I have three) and
about 100 students. My other option is to close my school and
seek employment at another school, where I will be an employee
who arrives on time for my classes!
Have you ever heard of anyone who wanted to
make their school smaller? If so, how did they go about doing
it? Are there repercussions, other than maybe not making the
same income? Any advice will help. Thanks in advance.
—Jordan
A: Hi Jordan,
One of the things I admire about your letter is
the fact that you seem confident about what you want and what
your options are, instead of harboring resentment toward the
employees who have forced you to think about these options.
You deserve a pat on the back for that!
With that said, your downsizing concept is
probably a good one for you. You would have a lot of options.
You already have the clientele to draw your reduced enrollment
from. Not only that, but you would be free to decide which
students or age levels or subjects you want to teach. For many
school owners that’s a pipedream.
With a smaller operation you would eliminate the
expense (and stress) of all those employees, which when
balanced with one-fourth of the enrollment needs to be
considered. But I’m sure the rent for one studio would be
much less than for three. If you can pull this off and be
financially comfortable, I say more power to you! You might
just start a trend.
As for teaching for someone else, I have met many
former school owners who now teach for others. They too found
it difficult to deal with the business side but had the
passion to continue to teach. And I have never met one who had
regrets. Whatever your decision is, I have a feeling you will
be a success. If you do downsize, please let us know—I know
that our readers would be interested in your story. All the
best to you. —Rhee
Q: Hi Rhee,
My mother and I have run a studio (rather
large for our area) for about 18 years. We have had
competitive teams for 10 years and have dealt with the usual
drama that comes along with [competition]. However, things are
get out of control and we don’t know what to do.
The main problem is super-competitive moms
who talk about other children, other moms, etc. I know this is
normal, but the situation has escalated to a breaking point.
We feel like we can’t carry on if something doesn’t
change. I have enjoyed all of your insight and am hoping you
can shed some light on this situation or point me in the right
direction. I don’t know what to do! I truly, truly need some
help fast!
—Rhonda
A: Hello Rhonda,
Sorry to hear about the issues with your
competitive parents. I suggest that you call the parents
together for a meeting. Close the door and ex- plain that you
are having a hard time dealing with the negativity coming from
them and that you don’t think it’s a healthy atmosphere
for their children or anyone else. Explain that you want to
leave the meeting having resolved the issues, so this is their
opportunity to let you and the other parents know what’s on
their minds. If they have a hard time opening up, then pull
out a list of the concerns you believe have become out of
control. That will get them rolling.
You need to establish that you and your mom are
in control, that the two of you have many years of experience,
and that the parents need to trust you and your decisions.
Also, let them know that if they have an issue or problem,
they need to come to you to discuss it.
A couple of points to make: Adults who speak
negatively about other parents or their children do not set a
good example for their own children. Also, the atmosphere
these parents create is not conducive to success for their own
children. It stifles creativity, teamwork, and everything else
that will help to make their children successful at
competition (or anything else they do).
Remember, sometimes a situation like yours is
inevitable and has to be dealt with by all parties (including
you) in order to make the changes that are necessary to build
a successful competitive team. That could mean that it’s
time to clean house. If your talk doesn’t work, then it may
be time to request that the instigators leave your school.
Then you and your mom can get back to the business of teaching
dance without these emotional distractions.
Confidence in who you are and what you want to
accomplish will help you with this. I wish you the best; let
me know what happens. —Rhee
Send your questions and comments to Goldrush,
P.O. Box 2150, Norton, MA 02766 or
gold5678@aol.com .
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