Classroom Etiquette question(long)

[strong@heart]

Hi Everyone!
I am an instructor and since I have been teaching I have never encountered this before so I am hoping for not only an answer to this "dilemma" but opinions welcome, too!
There is a member in my morning classes who has always been very loyal, friendly, and supportive since I have been at this facility. I have always enjoyed her presence in class and up until recently, I have been feeling rather uncomfortable about certain things she has started to do.
You see, she recently went through a Training to become certified and she has a long way to go ( although she is well on her way as she does have what it takes) Since returning from Training, I have allowed her to "shadow" teach some of the tracks in my class under my supervision and thus far, she has done very well. Well, in the past 3 weeks, she has sort of taken over so to speak by instructing members on form when I am teaching....and yes, I explain FORM over and over but she seems to throw her 2 cents in after I speak. I politely thank her for her input but the way she does it really is inappropriate because she almost "overrides" what I say.
Now I know this may not sound like such a big deal, however, I have recently discovered from a well-nown source that she wants my job when she receives her certification. My class slot is not available and I have never indicated that I was leaving. She has even come up to the front of the room while we are stretching and inadvertently corrected my stretches by demonstrating something different.
Initially, I felt I could be gracious and give her some "practice" within my class but now it appears that she is overstepping and I feel extremely uncomfortable. I really like her and I am confused and shocked by her recent behavior.
I thought about confronting her about it but my director told me that she would handle it in a round about way and that this woman is very insecure and sensitive so perhaps confrontation may not be the most ideal way.
What do you think?

 

[crazystepr]

Um, she needs a good kick in the butt. Tell her to get out of your way. Her behavior is ridiculous.

Allison

 

[lioness]

I would talk to her. It doesn't have to be confrontational. I would just ask her nicely not to correct you while you are teaching. If you are doing something that she doesn't agree with, then ask her to come after class to discuss it with you. It's too bad that she's sensitive. She'll just have to deal with it. If her behavior doesn't change after you talk to her, then get the director involved.

Incidentially I am getting certified and attend a fitness boot camp. Although I don't always agree with everything the instructor says, I would never overstep my boundaries and correct the instructor in the middle of the class. It's just not professional. If it something that really bothers me, I'll approach her after class and discuss it with her.

 

[LauraMax]

I agree, I would talk to her. Something like "wow, you've really polished your instructional techniques, there's no reason for you to shadow me anymore." Give her the option of continuing as a member of your class or going elsewhere, but make sure the "co-instructional" thing isn't gonna work for either of you from here on out.

 

[lainiefig]

I would agree with what other people have said. There's probably a way to talk to her gently about this. I have never worked in fitness, specifically, but these same situations happen in every job! Even if you were equals and team teaching (which it sounds like you're not if you've been sort of mentoring her), it is a bad idea to correct or interrupt the person you're working with in front of clients/students. It's probably annoying the students as well to have her interrupting with her 2 cents all the time. I'm not sure exactly how to approach her but I would agree you've got to gently ask her to let you lead your own class.

Edited to add: maybe one way to talk to her about it is to point out how it might affect members to receive too much or even conflicting instruction--that you need a united front and one specific leader to avoid confusion in class. Just a thought.

***Lainie***

http://web.mac.com/lainiefig/iWeb/Site/Exercise.html

"The worst loneliness is to not be comfortable with yourself." -- Mark Twain

 

[kathryn]

>I agree, I would talk to her. Something like "wow, you've
>really polished your instructional techniques, there's no
>reason for you to shadow me anymore." Give her the option of
>continuing as a member of your class or going elsewhere, but
>make sure the "co-instructional" thing isn't gonna work for
>either of you from here on out.

I agree. If possible, get out of this 'shadowing' relationship.
If that doesn't work, then you may have to be more blunt.
As for her being 'sensitive,' she certainly doesn't seem to take into consideration that you might be sensitive to her overstepping her bounds, so I wouldn't worry about it. Though you might want to ask her how SHE would feel if she were teaching a class (and remind her that she ISN"T the instructor in your class) and someone acted with her the way she does in your class.

 

[Timber99]

>I agree, I would talk to her. Something like "wow, you've
>really polished your instructional techniques, there's no
>reason for you to shadow me anymore."

This is exactly what I was thinking. It sounds as if you are not required to assist her and that she's overused her welcome. I would politely tell her the above but also, in a nice way, remind her that you are the instructor and that the giving of additional advice is distracting to the members.

She may not mean anything by it, because when you are new and bustling with all this information, it's exciting. That said, it's simple manners and she ought to be thankful to you and courteous to your members.

 

[gogigi]

Yea, I would address this but I would also have a witness present.
Angela

 

[RunninTeach]

>>It sounds as if you are not required to assist her and that she's overused her welcome. I would politely tell her the above but also, in a nice way, remind her that you are the instructor and that the giving of additional advice is distracting to the members. She may not mean anything by it, because when you are new and bustling with all this information, it's exciting. That said,it's simple manners and she ought to be thankful to you and courteous to your members.

I agree. It'd be easy to feel somewhat threatened when you've heard someone is gunning for your job, but I think you can put her in her place gently without it getting confrontational. As mentioned above, it could very well be that this person is so excited and eager to have a class of her own that she's truly not aware that she's been stepping on your toes. I would just run it by the director that you plan to address it on your own. Good luck!

~Cathy http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/mesg/emoticons7/4.gif

"Out on the roads there is fitness and self-discovery and the persons we were destined to be." -George Sheehan

 

[crabbyella]

Okay my sneaky nonconfrontational way of changing this would be to tell her other people in class are complying about the "co-teaching" and want one person to follow. I would request that she keep her comments to a minimum and that you can't allow the shadowing anymore.

Also, with the additional "in put" after you talk. I think you can get rid of that by not pausing to allow her to get her two cents in. If you go over to the music or get right back into the routine or don't acknowledge anything she says she will get embarrassed and stop doing it.

We had a girl in one of my classes like this and the instructor (and the class) just decided to start ignoring her and she stopped within two classes.



KIM-NC

 

[keli400]

I think you are getting some great advice here. I guess my confrontational side would suggest to take her aside and maybe start off with a.."I know you mean well, and that you are just practicing, but it distracts me when you do this..." My non-confrontational side suggests that you tell her that you think she has had enough practice and maybe even point out how she is really coming into her own with the tips that she offers during your class (only if you are feeling like her tips have merit) then suggest that she talk with the head instructor about trying out as a sub.

I suggest being cautious though, about 7 years ago--someone who I thought was a friend would consistently sub for me at a moment's notice. What I didn't realize was that she was actually pumping the members into asking that she take over the class. She even approached the head instructor about it. I eventually moved away from that city and I know she got my classes. I guess she deserves applause for her persistence. Oh well, by gones..

Good luck!

 

[EVCT]

It's your class not hers. I like the idea of telling her that she is very distracting to you when you are teaching. I also like the idea of having someone else present when you talk to her.I know you have no control over this, but she should not be in your class.
Ellen

 

[amyg]

Strong at Heart-

You've gotten some good advice here; I'm just responding to let you know you aren't alone! I have taught a daily bootcamp class for more than a year and a half, and one of the participants always stands front and center and corrects everyone standing near him! OMG it is *so* annoying! He also announces to the class that he spoke with my boss and she encouraged him to get certified and teach! My boss denied the whole thing and told me she thought he was crazy...and that I was crazy for believing him!

Anyway, I've taken him aside and told him that I'm responsible for the class and that I need him to only focus on his workout and not the workout of others. It was hard, but he is *such* a character that he doesn't seem to mind. I really do have to mention it about once a week to him, that he needs to stop correcting form! It's amazing.

Telling her she is a participant and not an instructor is important- as instructor, you are in charge of everyone's safety and if they are doing whatever she is telling them, you've lost control and are risking the participants getting injured. She will need to understand this when she's instructing, too, so you might want to frame it as "one last lesson" or something to her. As you kick her in the butt out the door. }(

Good luck!

 

[kimyenchu]

Hello,

I would take her into a room that is private and have a loooooonnng chat.

I would begin by telling her the reason we are having this chat i.e. that lately you've noticed that she is helping you more than you would like or need. I would remind her that you asked her to assist her in your class to help her get some experience, but she is not there to instruct the class. Tell her that you have been instructor for so many years and the people in your class understand your methods and instructions. I would say that she may develop new ideas as she gets more experience, but she should consider trying out her ideas in her own class, when she has one. Right now this class is yours and the instructions and training will come from yourself.

Maybe you want to tell her that you think she has gained enough experience from these classes now and perhaps move on. You also think that having 2 instructors would be confusing for the exercisers: you need to consider what is best for your people in your class.

I would think it is best to try and get rid of her as soon as you can and as professionally as possible, as you seemed to have soured on this relationship.


Yen