My daughter LOVES CHEER. She came here to work on her tumbling. She had a great connection with Coach Kenny and was making progress and loving her lessons. We've been going since December 2019. She does get frustrated with herself and sometimes gets in her own head so she needs a bit of patience from coaches to find her way out.
This week she was attending a summer camp. She was working on skills and was frustrated. I let a few questionable comments from Carlos - coach/owner go bc (1)They were 1 sided and came from my 12 year old only and (2) I don't know the relationship/communication style they have with each other.
Today, however, she called me hysterically crying from camp saying she wanted me to pick her up early and never wanted to come back. When I asked why she said "He called me WORTHLESS and said I was pulling my friend down with me". I was livid but decided to discuss and hear his side of the story. Long story short: in a private discussion (out of my courtesy for his place of business) he felt she was not putting effort forth during the week and thought she wasn't trying/running hard enough while playing "sharks and minnows" that day. He then clarified that he didn't call her worthless - he said she was "BEING WORTHLESS " - apparently there is a difference(?). I've been a teacher for 26 years. That is a word that SHOULD NOT enter your vocabulary when working with children - EVER. A coach's job is to build children up, EMPOWER them - not tear them down. Not every child responds the same way to coaching and directions. Coaches (especially experienced coaches) should have a tool belt of strategies to use even if they are at their wits end - that do not demean a child. My daughter (as he was aware) has ADHD and takes criticism to heart in a deep and painful way. This has torn her apart.
Now, I realize we are all human and times are stressful. I realize that kids can get on your last nerve (Kindergarten teacher here) but when that happens and you lose your cool you put on your ADULT hat, apologize to the CHILD, first and foremost, tell them why you were upset, correct the message you mistakenly sent and promise to do better the next time. THIS DID NOT HAPPEN. Not even an apology to my distraught daughter.
His response to my concern was that we were free to leave at any point. When I told him we had already made that decision he said "there's the door - walk a little faster." I admit I stooped to the level of using a word I'd rather not post at this point. In any case, we will NOT be returning.
If you choose to take your children here be sure to discuss with them each and every session how they were spoken to and how they felt. I worry that some will be treated in the same way and not have the courage to share that information and will internalize it, causing damage to their self esteem. read more