Rude Students...

P

pixie9

Cathlete
Hi everyone! I hope that everyone had a great New Year's!!
I just wanted to post because I had an interesting experience teaching my Step class last night and it kinda has me a little upset.

Last night was my first night teaching this step class. It was supposed to be cancelled because they couldn't find an instructor to take over for the last one. The participants were really behind the class continuing by begging and pestering the boss to find a new instructor. The person who runs the gym then literally begged me to take this class and I agreed, even though it's WAY out of my way and takes place in the evening(when I REALLY don't like to teach). So I drive all the way there and once there, I discover that the room is being renovated so we had to do it in another room with audio equipment that really didn't work(at the end of each song, the beat would change and I'd have to stop what we were doing and find the beat again,VERY annoying and confusing for a step instructor!!!!).

Anyway, my rounting is fairly difficult but easily modifiable and I take care to show people how to modify if they need to. Well, during one of the water breaks, I notice 3 of the women talking and really complaining about my class. They weren't even hiding it. They went on and on about how difficult it was to follow and so on. They were even complaining about how I kept having the class go back to basic to find the beat once it changed because of the audio problems!!!I even explained to the class about the audio problems in advance and that I would do my best to make every transition smooth. I couldn't believe what they were saying because I had really gone out of my way to make sure I taught EVERY move. I literally spent 15-20 minutes on one rountine so everyone could get it!! One woman complained that the class was too hard even though she decided to use an 8 inch step(and I'm sure she's in her 60's). I was actually very hurt and distracted by their behavior.

Then, at the end of the class, one of the women walked up to me and said "good class, but you need to work on the music." Normally this wouldn't have bothered me but this time it really did. I told her that music was very expensive(which is true), and it wasn't always possible to please everyone, but next time I would choose another disk.

So ladies, am I being over-sensitive here or what? This experience has really put me in a bad mood today. I even thought about it a lot last night. It's just really annoying to put a lot of work and energy into something for people, only to have it criticized and put down.

Thanks for letting me vent!!:) :)

Carolyn
 
oh , Carolyn, I have been in the same exact situation as you. It is so hard not to take it personally. You are NOT being over sensitive. I know what it is like to put all that effort in and then have it not be appreciated. But let me tell you, SOMEONE, at least one person, appreciated you and your teaching on short notice with a crappy music system.

And you know what? If the students don't like, then they can take a class with another instructor. You can't please everyone. When people would tell me to not choose such "young" music for spinning (i'm 23 and most students were 40+) I was like uh huh uh huh.... but kept playing my music. lol.

good luck, keep doing what you are doing, because you are inspiring someone out there to take better care of their bodies! -Tina
 
Carolyn, I wouldn't let it bother you. Those woman obviously have no clue about how much work it takes to lead a class, especially with the other difficulties you had to deal with. They are ignorant and rude. I'm sure you do a wonderful job.
 
Thanks Robin and Tina,
It's nice to hear some supportive words about this. I realize I can be overly sensitive to criticism sometimes.
I forgot to mention earlier though that as I was explaining to that woman about the music being expensive,etc, she just walked away from me as if I wasn't speaking. The rudeness really took me off-guard!! I guess I should get used to this sort of behavior if I want to continue teaching group fitness. Maybe your right about focusing on the people who enjoy and get something out of my classes! I know SOMEONE there had to enjoy it!!

cArolyn
 
Carolyn, I am so sorry! THAT is VERY rude! I have my own aerobic program and in the past years I gave seen students make comments or faces towards some of my instructors. Unfortunately, students do get used to their own instructor. Sooo, basically, whenever I know I am going on vacation or need someone to take my classes, I go out of my way to talk to my students and explain to them how hard it is to do someone elses class especially on the spur of the moment soooo would they please make her feel welcome and it worked! I know this wasn't possible in your situation. All I can say is that they would truly understand if they were in your shoes. I'm sorry they made you feel so bad. Hang in there and know you did the best you could with the offbeat music. I'd love to come to one of your classes and if I had to do basic steps lots, it would still be FUN! :7 Hang in there!
Your-Friend-In-Fitness, DebbieH (AKA "Den Mother Debbie") http://www.clicksmilies.com/s0105/aktion/action-smiley-066.gif[/img] If You Get The Choice To Sit It Out Or Dance...I Hope You DANCE!!!
 
Carolyn,

Sorry you had such a bad experience. You did everything you were supposed to do by being up front with them about the music. You taught under cimcumstances there were not ideal and you made it happen anyway. That in itself says alot about the kind of instructor you are.

We all know that you cannot please everyone so don't even try. All you can do is be the best instructor you can be. Sure, listen to the comments you receive from your students, but in the end, you have to present a class in a way that is most effective. Have confidence in what you are doing and when they see that you know your stuff, they will keep coming back for more.

It's too bad that the facility you were asked to teach at didn't do a better job of seeing that your needs were met prior to class. In my opinion, the conditions were not adequate. How can you teach a good class when you have to keep messing with your music??!! They put you in a very bad position and I think you should speak with them about it.

I know you didn't ask for a lecture...I just want you to know you did EVERYTHING right. Don't be discouraged...hang in there!! If you made it through a class like that, you can do ANYTHING!



~Marietta
FITXME
http://www.picturetrail.com/fitxme
 
Unfortunately, often critics are much more vocal than people who like something (who just take it for granted that you will know).

Sounds like you had a hard situation, and made the best of it.

Hang in there! And once you can step back from this situation a bit, maybe you can find something constructive in the criticism (even though it wasn't expressed politely).
 
Carolyn, I haven't taught fitness in quite a few years but your post jostled a few memories that I would like to share with you and everyone.

First, it was those students who always came to my classes, loved what I did, and genuinely had a good time that kept me going. I also had those who just weren't happy with anything I did, and either the looks on their faces or their comments cut me like a knife. I took my teaching very seriously and took their negative criticism very deeply to heart.

One time after covering for the "popular" instructor, I was in the ladies room (in a stall) directly after the class only to have 2 women come in and literally roast me about everything I did! I stood there in front of the toilet not knowing what to do as I had to come out of the stall eventually and they were still there! I finally swung the door open and walked out with my head held high, right past their red cheeked faces (they didn't know I was in there at the time). I figured they were the ones who should be embarrassed, not me.

My most memorable moment came a few years later when, a student walked up to me after class and told me that a few people did not like my new format of teaching and wanted me to go back to my old style. I had spent considerable time and money revamping all my routines to be "current" as I felt my students might be getting bored with my routines.

When the program director got wind of what this person said (from another person who overheard the discussion), she decided to make it a public example as many of the instructors had things like this happen to them. The health club wrote up an article in their newsletter about what it is really like to be a fitness instructor and quoted negative comments made by students over the years. It had an amazing impact and needless to say, people thought twice before rudely commenting from then on.

You are an amazing person for inspiring others to be healthy, let alone fill in "on the spot" and teach another class time. Don't let these petty individuals rock you, they are the ones with the problems, not you.

Take care,

Deb
 
>So ladies, am I being over-sensitive here or what? This
>experience has really put me in a bad mood today. I even
>thought about it a lot last night. It's just really annoying
>to put a lot of work and energy into something for people,
>only to have it criticized and put down.
>
>Thanks for letting me vent!!:) :)



Carolyn,

It sounds to me like no matter what you did in that class, those people were not going to be happy.. period!

I don't think your being over-sensitive, but I do think you are taking the whole thing very personally..it was their problem not yours. My guess is that those ladies have been, or they are unhappy with that gym and how they do things there, you just happened to be an extention of facility when you were teaching the class.

It sounds like you have agreed to teach this class on a regular basis, Yes??
Here are some things to consider that might help out:
1.)How many ladies were there for your class?
2.)What age range were your participants?
3.)What is there skill level?
4.)Intensity level?
5.)Fitness level?
6.)Is this class purely step, or is there some flexibilty?
7.)Do you have any idea how the old instructor taught her class?
8.)Take a survey to see what the class wants, ie: Intensity level, music, basic or complex etc...

I hope that helps out..I am sure your great..they will love you once they get used to you..people always resist change.

Denise

:) :)
 
Wow, thanks for all the support and advice! It's nice to know I'm not the only one this has happened to.
I'll think about your questions Denise and see if I can make some changes for these people. I guess I like the idea of making the class intense with room for modifications so people can choose for themselves what level they are most comfortable with. I like your idea about the survey. I'll see what I can do about that. And to answer your question, I did agree to teach the class on a regular basis but I will not continue it if it becomes too stressful for me. I'll definitely give it a few months and see how things go. I normally don't work for this facility so I really don't feel obligated to continue if things don't improve. But I know I have a role in that so I'll do my best to make things better next time.
The music thing was very annoying so I suppose when that problem gets fixed, things will go much smoother!
Thanks for all your advice and stories! They really helped brighten my day!!

Carolyn
 
Hi Carolyn,

I don't have any advice to add to what these fine ladies have already posted, but I know from all the comments you've made here that you really love your work and I'm sure your enthusiasm comes through in your teaching. There is always going to be somebody who doesn't like you or your class, but I'm sure there are many more who do! Kathyrn is right--sometimes the people who are satisfied and happy are the last ones to speak up for some bizarre reason. Hang in there kiddo--things will get better;)

Michele
 
Sorry that you had to deal with this rudeness, Carolyn!!! I remember one time in a spinning class I was taking, this guy actually made a cd for the class (of horrible music) and gave it to the instructor before class (and said something about her music being bad) and guilted her into using it for that class. She tried it for about 20 minutes and then went back to her music. I just couldn't believe the nerve of this guy. Sometimes people in classes drive me crazy!!! Anyway, I hope that things are going better for you today.

Karin
 
Don't worry Carolyn!

Soem people are rude, rude, rude! You did everything you could to give a safe, effective workout, but it sounds like nothing would have made them happy. They should thank you for taking the time and trouble to be there. You're the one who showed class and professionalism.

Teaching is hard, and taking on someone else's class is very difficult. I've been teaching for three months now, and I have heard rude comments, behind the back sniping, and sighs of resignation. However, I've also had compliments and even "thank you's" from students who sense that filling in for another teacher is tough. The good students are out there, and they will find you!

A fellow instructor showed up to sub a class for a very popular teacher. One of the students was very vocal about her concern that she'd get her usual workout. Well, my friend worked them harder than she'd ever worked anyone. (Not out of revenge, she wanted to do her job!) This teacher received tons of compliments, and the offending student got a great workout.

Some students are rude and that's part of the job. But you'll meet enough supportive students to make it all worth it. Good luck, and hang in there. It will get easier!
 
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