On Pointe School of Ballet

Bullies can be found just about anywhere in life. They are easy to spot because they pick on those they perceive as weak and their primary goal is to make themselves feel big (good/​smart/​important…) by making others feel small (bad/​stupid/​useless…). I wish I hadn’t waited so long to protect my child from being bullied. Over the last few weeks my oldest daughter would come home from ballet complaining about the way the teacher singled her out and humiliated her in front of the other dancers and I didn’t take it seriously. I thought she just had a strict teacher. Today I understand. After we arrived at the ballet school for my younger child’s class yesterday afternoon, my older daughter and I took our seats in the waiting room with the other parents and families. A few moments later the director, Beverly Byrd, came out of the class with a big smile on her face and an envelope addressed to my older daughter as she announced quite loudly that the girls in her class had a gift for her. The other parents in the room and I all oohed over such a sweet gesture but when I turned to my daughter I could see something was terribly wrong as tears welled in her eyes. She whispered, «this isn’t a gift,» and the director immediately launched into an attack on my child.
«No,» she spat, «it’s not a gift, it’s your mess that you left behind in the dressing room last night!» Turning from my daughter to face the rest of the people in the room, she proceeded to inform everyone present that my daughter was a slob and made the biggest mess whenever she undresses, complaining that it was unfair for her husband to have to clean up after her. Meanwhile my daughter had opened the envelope and had taken out the offending mess for all to see. It was a small tuft of lamb’s wool about the size of a nickel. That was all. A mere piece of fuzz. My child was shocked and humiliated. The other parents were clearly stunned. The director spun on her heel and closed the door, returning to her class and giving me no time to respond. I waited about 2 heartbeats, stood up, collected my younger child from the middle of her dance, took my older daughter by the hand and we all walked out. We will never return to that place and I will never allow anyone to humiliate my child like that ever again.
Avoid this place. Over the last year and a half, my daughter witnessed many instances of unethical behavior exhibited by the director. She routinely resorts to public shaming and scolding to get her point across and she does so with a vindictive smile on her face. I am ashamed that I did not heed my child’s feedback sooner. I could have spared her so much grief! Children deserve adults and role models who build them up and provide positive examples for healthy communication and grown-​up behavior. Instructors have such a lasting influence on the lives of the children they teach. It is worth it to pay more and drive farther in order to provide excellent technique and superior care for your child’s dance education.