Answers (11)
2
Does the facility have a policy how to handle employees that do not perform at the level expected of them? Usually, you talk with the employee, explain the situation and develop a plan for improvement. It is important that this is a plan that you can measure against. If she cannot perform in accordance with the established standards, then you will have a better base for an inevitable conversation.
This is always a very difficult conversation to have. You describe the instructor as 'very sweet' and have empathy with her personal situation. Your primary responsibility, though, is to the facility and to the senior members attending it.
This is always a very difficult conversation to have. You describe the instructor as 'very sweet' and have empathy with her personal situation. Your primary responsibility, though, is to the facility and to the senior members attending it.
1
That is unfortunate. I am of the opinion that the instructor should set the example as far as her health is concerned.
There are several things that are concerning with the description you've given.
1. It is not possible to teach aqua aerobics in the water. The participants can not see the movements.
2. Physically she is unable to teach the class. She's not strong enough. The members are paying for a service and she is not able to effectively provide the service for which they are paying.
3. I like Karin's idea about a plan for improvement. The dilemma with that is that the class numbers are low. Many have been turned off.
It seems that you are a compassionate person. However, if you have a different standard in treating this instructor, professionally it will send the wrong message to all the other group fitness instructors. That if they perform poorly there are no consequences.
Here is what I would do as a compassionate Fitness Coordinator.
If she is of value to the facility:
I would send two of my instructors to the Silver Sneakers workshop. The Silver Sneakers class is specifically for people over the age of 65. Perhaps that is the format she should be teaching. If you send two then they both can team teach. One seated, one standing.
If this not doable, unfortunately, you must let her go. The members have a right to quality services.
I wish you the best.
There are several things that are concerning with the description you've given.
1. It is not possible to teach aqua aerobics in the water. The participants can not see the movements.
2. Physically she is unable to teach the class. She's not strong enough. The members are paying for a service and she is not able to effectively provide the service for which they are paying.
3. I like Karin's idea about a plan for improvement. The dilemma with that is that the class numbers are low. Many have been turned off.
It seems that you are a compassionate person. However, if you have a different standard in treating this instructor, professionally it will send the wrong message to all the other group fitness instructors. That if they perform poorly there are no consequences.
Here is what I would do as a compassionate Fitness Coordinator.
If she is of value to the facility:
I would send two of my instructors to the Silver Sneakers workshop. The Silver Sneakers class is specifically for people over the age of 65. Perhaps that is the format she should be teaching. If you send two then they both can team teach. One seated, one standing.
If this not doable, unfortunately, you must let her go. The members have a right to quality services.
I wish you the best.
1
I agree with Kimberly. I have been teaching water aerobics for 16+ years and I teach both from the deck and the water. I jump in and out giving both visual and vocal cues. Water is very different from teaching on land there are exercises which do not translate to the water, also you need to get a feel for the routine you are teaching assessing if you need to pep it up or slow things down. My class feels more connected with me working and encouraging them from the water. Pull her aside and see if you can remedy the problem.
0
Both ideas are great. Another direction you could try is to pull her from the class she is now teaching, work with her to improve the areas you are not comfortable with and then create a class that show cases her strengths, create interest with your members and see if she can build the class from there. If this does not work, then I would consider letting her go.
0
Hi Maggie,
I recently had to remove a teacher that I certified from my company's list of Licensed teachers. She started to use a dangerous product from another company to teach my program.
She stated that she knew how to teach body mechanics because she was A.C.E. certified. She was the slowest learner in the training course and her integrity and focus didn;t quite meet the standards I prefer. I shouldn't have passed her to begin with. I tried to talk with this woman about how she was out of her contractual agreement and she blew up at me. Then started bad mouthing me to my competition. Best not to get personal with these things.
It's nice to give people a chance with a certain amount of time to see if they grow at the level you require. But as teachers and wellness managers, it is our responsibility to make sure all people supporting our base goals meet our personal and professional requirements.
hope this helps,
Betty
I recently had to remove a teacher that I certified from my company's list of Licensed teachers. She started to use a dangerous product from another company to teach my program.
She stated that she knew how to teach body mechanics because she was A.C.E. certified. She was the slowest learner in the training course and her integrity and focus didn;t quite meet the standards I prefer. I shouldn't have passed her to begin with. I tried to talk with this woman about how she was out of her contractual agreement and she blew up at me. Then started bad mouthing me to my competition. Best not to get personal with these things.
It's nice to give people a chance with a certain amount of time to see if they grow at the level you require. But as teachers and wellness managers, it is our responsibility to make sure all people supporting our base goals meet our personal and professional requirements.
hope this helps,
Betty
0
I'm a little surprised to hear everyone here thinks that instructors should get out of the water. In 90 degree outdoor weather that can be unkind and unreasonable. A good Aqua instructor can go quickly from person to person or out of the water to clarify: using vocal, visual, and kinesthetic cues. I work with 3 very experienced instructors and they all teach in the water. All are very popular with students. People learn to adapt to in-water instructors. Perhaps the exception is a very large outdoor pool where deep water is taught. Clarification is probably best on deck. I often see lazy land dominant instructors teach on deck to save time. My concern here would be her skill level and health. I appreciate your compassion and I'd probably coach her a bit to fit what the group needs. See if she gets passionate about things...
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Thank you everyone for your answers and suggestions. Most of them have been what I have been thinking myself! I appreciate all your input! We will be moving forward with all of this soon!
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Among the most fundamental safety guidelines in aquatic training is the requirement that aquatic instructors have a full and unobstructed view of trainees. The instructor can be in the pool only if he or she trains one-on-one with a client, or in a semi-private group with no more than two trainees. This is mainly for safety purposes (so that an instructor can be able to quickly spot and respond to any trainee having health or safety problems) and for instructional purposes (to be able to clearly see the movements of trainees so that an instructor can be better able to judge how each trainee is responding to instructions). These two very important goals simply cannot be done as efficiently, clearly, and safely while being in the pool with participants.
0
Among the most fundamental safety guidelines in aquatic training is the requirement that aquatic instructors have a full and unobstructed view of trainees. The instructor can be in the pool only if he or she trains one-on-one with a client, or in a semi-private group with no more than two trainees. This is mainly for safety purposes (so that an instructor can be able to quickly spot and respond to any trainee having health or safety problems) and for instructional purposes (to be able to clearly see the movements of trainees so that an instructor can be better able to judge how each trainee is responding to instructions). These two very important goals simply cannot be done as efficiently, clearly, and safely while being in the pool with participants.
0
Kimberly, I truly understand your position.
One has to take into consideration environmental heat and humidity whether one is teaching an aqua class or a traditional fitness class.
I am of the opinion that there are strategies that one can take in order to avoid exercising during the hottest portion of the day or when it is too cold. In this way one doesn't have to jump in and out of the pool.
It's about safety for everyone.
One has to take into consideration environmental heat and humidity whether one is teaching an aqua class or a traditional fitness class.
I am of the opinion that there are strategies that one can take in order to avoid exercising during the hottest portion of the day or when it is too cold. In this way one doesn't have to jump in and out of the pool.
It's about safety for everyone.
0
Your question is your answer
As a business numbers say alot
Remove yourself personally and do what's best for your business
Possibly there is something else she can do at the facility?
As a business numbers say alot
Remove yourself personally and do what's best for your business
Possibly there is something else she can do at the facility?
