Daughter Expelled After Sharing Feedback with the Owner.
For parents considering enrolling their children or individuals contemplating becoming students, it's essential to assess not just the teachings but also the behavior and conduct of those in positions of authority. Unpredictable and errative behavior, especially from those seen as mentors or leaders, is something most parents prefer to shield from their children.
While the coaches directly involved in the kids' program display a great attitude and genuine care, the same sentiment cannot be extended towards the gym's owner. Instances of the gym owner losing his temper and publicly humilitiating children in front of both the class and parents have occurred. There is clear evidence of verbal aggression toward tournament staff, resulting in the owner being banned from multiple tournaments - a fact supported by mulitple staff members and adults closely acquainted with the incidents. Personally, I've experienced an unexpected emotional outbust during a tournament and more recently faced insults when providing feedback, leading to my daughter's expulsion.
I recently conveyed concerns I had about the lack of progression in the training. This has been echoed by several other parents. Initially, there was an advanced session for kids with grey belts or higher, focusing on more intricate techniques. Unfortunately, this ceased soon after my daughter joined. During dicussions with an instructor, I highlighted concerns about certain instructions that seemed to lead to kids having a disadvantage while competing in tournaments. Continuous skill development should accompany regular tournament participation.
After sharing this feedback with an instructor, the situation escalated. I was urged to speak with the owner after class, but due to prior commitments, I could not stay. I was approached again and informed that the owner wanted to speak with me on the phone. I was immediately accused of speaking poorly about the gym behind his back to other parents and trying to create a mutiny. That could not be further from the truth. Our conversation turned emotionally charged due to the owners tone, leading to my suggestion that we postpone further discussion. However, this didnt sit well with the owner, who threatened to expel my daughter if I wasn't physically present after class. Even after explaining my availability for a mature phone discussion, my daughter was expelled.
In a subsequent attempt to resolve matters, I reached out to the owner's wife, expressing sadness over my daughter bearing the consequences of the owner's refusal to consider constructive feedback. I offered to meet with them, but the owner declined further dialogue, remaining steadfast in his decision.
Several other parents have relayed a similar experience, finding the owner challenging to receive or discuss feedback and often dismissing others' opinions outright.
Additionally, I've witnessed instances where some students seemingly skipped levels or had irregular attendance yet were promoted, while dedicated students who consistently attended and competed in tournaments were overlooked. These promotions appear to be a way of retaining kids rather than recognizing efforts beyond pure attendance. Recognition for hard work is something all parents hope for their children, and this discrepancy is disheartening. It seems the gym prioritizes attracting newcomers rather than nurturing and advancing the skills of long-standing students, potentially contributing to the high turnover in the kids' classes. Complaints from parents about repetitive and unchallenging material year after year further substantiate this observation.
While the coaching staff remains commendable, the owner's unpredictability, as evidenced by the aforementioned incidents and overall disorganization of the business, raises concerns about the gym's environment. Teaching discipline is commendable; however, ridicule and verbal or emotional aggression to this extent is not a positive means to teach discipline to children in this environment.
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Posted 2 years ago
