Kids in the classroom - Page 4

Fatima · 04-01-2008, 05:42 PM

Thanks again for all your comments. Things have not changed one bit. I did tried some blackmailing and said that I was about to quit school but I decided to leave when the course is over. I'll be in that school for about a month.

When I said that I talked to people they were co-workers, relatives or friends, nobody from school. But I did talked to somebody, or rather another classmate came to talk to me, last week. She told me she noticed my discomfort and that she shared my feelings but she hasn't complained even to the teacher because that girl pays for private classes too. So she becomes an extra source of income for the teacher and she's sure the teacher will tolerate anything in order not to lose that student. Besides we both agree that neither of us have said anything in class or to mom because we don't have kids and childless people complaining about other people's kids are usually regarded as mean and bitter and neither one of us like the idea to be victims of a stereotype.

Right now I'm looking for a new school and have been asking about the no-visitors rule, including the no child allowed thing. I've not say anything bad about the teacher cause I don't think is fair either. Who knows, maybe some other people can tolerate a disrupting child in the class room.

Bellydancing for me has been extremely difficult since last september and to think that I'll start in a brand new school due to a kid just makes me mad.

BTW, I loooove those videos!

Jane · 04-01-2008, 07:00 PM

You have my sympathy.

This kid ever hear of reading a book or doing homework in the lobby or back of the room? Even the non-bookish kids can have a hand held game on silent or use headphones.

Classrooms are for dance participants unless prior arrangements have been made. I've had students bring elderly (not able to dance) female relatives from out of town before to observe, and it's been fine.

da Sage · 04-01-2008, 10:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fatima

Thanks again for all your comments. Things have not changed one bit. I did tried some blackmailing and said that I was about to quit school but I decided to leave when the course is over. I'll be in that school for about a month.

When I said that I talked to people they were co-workers, relatives or friends, nobody from school. But I did talked to somebody, or rather another classmate came to talk to me, last week. She told me she noticed my discomfort and that she shared my feelings but she hasn't complained even to the teacher because that girl pays for private classes too. So she becomes an extra source of income for the teacher and she's sure the teacher will tolerate anything in order not to lose that student. Besides we both agree that neither of us have said anything in class or to mom because we don't have kids and childless people complaining about other people's kids are usually regarded as mean and bitter and neither one of us like the idea to be victims of a stereotype.

Hi Fatima,

It sounds like you have options. Great! I still think the teacher is making a bad choice...are the privates worth so many lost students?

It's not 100% clear whether you spoke to the teacher about the child or not. Personally, I would make a point of speaking to both the teacher and the mother. Otherwise they can claim they "never knew" it was a problem!

KuteNurse · 04-01-2008, 11:12 PM

I think you need to pull the instructor aside and tell her how you are feeling during class and how disrupting it really is. Do not let her shrug it off and tell her that is is really disrupting others in the classroom as well. Would others also agree to talking with her? It is a shame you have to trade classes and schools because this instructor won't listen to your concerns. If she is not agreeable, you should ask for a refund back from the classes you have been disrupted and from classes you have left. Then walk out. Sorry this happened...But be assertive.

Good luck.

Chani · 04-02-2008, 03:44 AM

Is the instructor a mother herself? If so perhaps she doesn't realise how disruptive this boy's presence in the class is. I am and I am extremely good at ignoring noise and movement from kids around me but that took many years of practice to master.

I haven taken my daughter to class. At first she was very well behaved but then she started to get bored and move about a bit and kept running up to me and hugging me. So now I don't bring her.

Since others have expressed their annoyance also I'd let the teacher know it's not just you. It may not change things as they are now especially if this student is a good source of income for the teacher but it might make her consider some strategies to encourage him to be less disruptive - like say asking him to wait just outside the room rather than actually in it. I'd not be happy to have somebody not taking the class in the class.

Chani

Fatima · 04-06-2008, 03:41 PM

The first person I talked to was the teacher. She's not a mother herself, but I suppose she loves kids way too much. Somebody asked me if a single private student is worth losing regular students, I suppose it does, after all the teacher charges more for a private class and this girl seems to spend all her money in bellydance classes.

da Sage · 04-06-2008, 05:01 PM

Wow. I am sorry to hear the teacher wasn't responsive. I have been in class with students who were somewhat disruptive, and while it wasn't enough for me to leave a class, it was enough for me to hope they would leave or shape up!

I wish you good luck in your future studies!

Azrael · 04-11-2008, 04:01 PM

My patience with people who cannot control their kids is practically non-existant.
My mom takes me to dance class, and sits in a corner and reads. Alright, she is MUCH older than 9/10 years old... but still. My teacher doesnt mind because there isnt a disturbance from her - shes far from one of those interfering mothers (like the mother in the movie Center Stage)

I would've lost my temper with the kid and the mother, not to mention my instructor.

nightdancer · 04-14-2008, 08:30 PM

I'm one of the people that soon will have to bring their kids to class. The girls' dad will soon be deploying, and I offered to stop coming to class for the time that he's gone and occasionally come take a private lesson, as to not disturb others. My kids are well-known to the group, and old enough to know how to mind their manners. If they cannot, then I will simply have to move to more video-based learning and the occasional private lesson to keep up with choreo. To me, its not worth disturbing the learning of 13 other women, for a six month deployment. Now, fortunately for me, my kids are really easy going and have been known to fall into whatever book they are reading, and look at me like I'm lost in the head when I tell them that its time to go. However, if for whatever reason, they become disruptive, I'll have to make other arrangements. It's not forever. I dont know how tight your group is, ours is pretty tight. If others are being disturbed, I hope they think enough of me to say "Hey!! Robynne!! Your kids are making me nuts."

da Sage · 04-14-2008, 08:50 PM

Well, Nightdancer, you are going about this the right way. I have been in adult classes (not dance classes, but still...) with people who have brought their children along. If the child sits quietly and reads (or colors), I typically have no problem with it. In fact, I was often dragged along to my sibling's classes/practices/games, and so I was well practiced at waiting quietly from a very early age.

I hope your new arrangement works well for everyone!

04-01-2008, 05:42 PM	#31 (permalink)
Fatima Moderator Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 135	Thanks again for all your comments. Things have not changed one bit. I did tried some blackmailing and said that I was about to quit school but I decided to leave when the course is over. I'll be in that school for about a month. When I said that I talked to people they were co-workers, relatives or friends, nobody from school. But I did talked to somebody, or rather another classmate came to talk to me, last week. She told me she noticed my discomfort and that she shared my feelings but she hasn't complained even to the teacher because that girl pays for private classes too. So she becomes an extra source of income for the teacher and she's sure the teacher will tolerate anything in order not to lose that student. Besides we both agree that neither of us have said anything in class or to mom because we don't have kids and childless people complaining about other people's kids are usually regarded as mean and bitter and neither one of us like the idea to be victims of a stereotype. Right now I'm looking for a new school and have been asking about the no-visitors rule, including the no child allowed thing. I've not say anything bad about the teacher cause I don't think is fair either. Who knows, maybe some other people can tolerate a disrupting child in the class room. Bellydancing for me has been extremely difficult since last september and to think that I'll start in a brand new school due to a kid just makes me mad. BTW, I loooove those videos! __________________ I do not try to dance better than anyone else. I only try to dance better than myself. Mikhail Baryshnikov Blogs: Fátima Baila.

04-06-2008, 03:41 PM	#36 (permalink)
Fatima Moderator Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 135	The first person I talked to was the teacher. She's not a mother herself, but I suppose she loves kids way too much. Somebody asked me if a single private student is worth losing regular students, I suppose it does, after all the teacher charges more for a private class and this girl seems to spend all her money in bellydance classes. __________________ I do not try to dance better than anyone else. I only try to dance better than myself. Mikhail Baryshnikov Blogs: Fátima Baila.

04-11-2008, 04:01 PM	#38 (permalink)
Azrael Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Cape Town, South Africa Posts: 20	My patience with people who cannot control their kids is practically non-existant. My mom takes me to dance class, and sits in a corner and reads. Alright, she is MUCH older than 9/10 years old... but still. My teacher doesnt mind because there isnt a disturbance from her - shes far from one of those interfering mothers (like the mother in the movie Center Stage) I would've lost my temper with the kid and the mother, not to mention my instructor. __________________ To watch us dance, is to hear our hearts speak...

04-01-2008, 07:00 PM	#32 (permalink)
Jane Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: In the mountains Posts: 308	You have my sympathy. This kid ever hear of reading a book or doing homework in the lobby or back of the room? Even the non-bookish kids can have a hand held game on silent or use headphones. Classrooms are for dance participants unless prior arrangements have been made. I've had students bring elderly (not able to dance) female relatives from out of town before to observe, and it's been fine.

04-01-2008, 11:12 PM	#34 (permalink)
KuteNurse V.I.P. Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Duluth, Minnesota Posts: 2,898	I think you need to pull the instructor aside and tell her how you are feeling during class and how disrupting it really is. Do not let her shrug it off and tell her that is is really disrupting others in the classroom as well. Would others also agree to talking with her? It is a shame you have to trade classes and schools because this instructor won't listen to your concerns. If she is not agreeable, you should ask for a refund back from the classes you have been disrupted and from classes you have left. Then walk out. Sorry this happened...But be assertive. Good luck.

04-02-2008, 03:44 AM	#35 (permalink)
Chani Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 133	Is the instructor a mother herself? If so perhaps she doesn't realise how disruptive this boy's presence in the class is. I am and I am extremely good at ignoring noise and movement from kids around me but that took many years of practice to master. I haven taken my daughter to class. At first she was very well behaved but then she started to get bored and move about a bit and kept running up to me and hugging me. So now I don't bring her. Since others have expressed their annoyance also I'd let the teacher know it's not just you. It may not change things as they are now especially if this student is a good source of income for the teacher but it might make her consider some strategies to encourage him to be less disruptive - like say asking him to wait just outside the room rather than actually in it. I'd not be happy to have somebody not taking the class in the class. Chani

04-06-2008, 05:01 PM	#37 (permalink)
da Sage Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: MN Posts: 999	Wow. I am sorry to hear the teacher wasn't responsive. I have been in class with students who were somewhat disruptive, and while it wasn't enough for me to leave a class, it was enough for me to hope they would leave or shape up! I wish you good luck in your future studies!

04-14-2008, 08:30 PM	#39 (permalink)
nightdancer Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Below the Mason-Dixon Posts: 192	I'm one of the people that soon will have to bring their kids to class. The girls' dad will soon be deploying, and I offered to stop coming to class for the time that he's gone and occasionally come take a private lesson, as to not disturb others. My kids are well-known to the group, and old enough to know how to mind their manners. If they cannot, then I will simply have to move to more video-based learning and the occasional private lesson to keep up with choreo. To me, its not worth disturbing the learning of 13 other women, for a six month deployment. Now, fortunately for me, my kids are really easy going and have been known to fall into whatever book they are reading, and look at me like I'm lost in the head when I tell them that its time to go. However, if for whatever reason, they become disruptive, I'll have to make other arrangements. It's not forever. I dont know how tight your group is, ours is pretty tight. If others are being disturbed, I hope they think enough of me to say "Hey!! Robynne!! Your kids are making me nuts."

04-14-2008, 08:50 PM	#40 (permalink)
da Sage Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: MN Posts: 999	Well, Nightdancer, you are going about this the right way. I have been in adult classes (not dance classes, but still...) with people who have brought their children along. If the child sits quietly and reads (or colors), I typically have no problem with it. In fact, I was often dragged along to my sibling's classes/practices/games, and so I was well practiced at waiting quietly from a very early age. I hope your new arrangement works well for everyone!