Letting an instructor go?

Question

hi! I returned from my summer vacation and want to switch riding instructors at my barn. I haven;t seen that much improvement in my riding and I believe that I need a firmer hand. The problem is, the instructor that I want to switch to is her sister, and they work at the same barn. I don;t want to hurt her feelings or make things awkward in between us. How would you handle the situation? This is what I thought of so far:

Actually my mother and I had decided that I should switch to *, for riding lessons. I appreciate the development in my riding that you had contributed to greatly, but I would like to experience another approach with a different instructor with different teaching styles.

Answer 1

What you have written down is fine. Every instructor knows (or should) that different students respond better to different teaching methods. I used to work in a factory--a huge show barn with 6 different instructors. Mos of us had our core group of clients that stayed pretty much the same over the months and years, but clients swapped between us from time to time. It's natural, and we were happy as long as they stayed in the barn. I don't think anyone's feelings were ever hurt because we were never being personally attacked or insulted. Personally, I believe most people benefit from a variety of experiences, and the more people you learn from the better. So as long as you're tactful, which it sounds like you are, your instructor should understand.

Answer 2

this is how i switched instructors. i used to take private lessons with my first instructor for a long time, then i started feeling like she wasnt helping me much, also i was her only student she wasnt the head instructor anymore. i wanted to start taking group lessons with the head instructor so  i started going to jackie then stephanie, switching off everyother week, then i just started going to jackie every week, becuase stephanie was getting into her dental job and so thats how myne worked out! just tell her that you want to trynew ways of learining, being taught by other people

Answer 3

I think the best course is honesty. Explain to your current instructor what you feel like you are missing and what it is that you are trying to get out of your lessons. Based on that discussion she is the changes you discussed have developed. She may not be aware that she is not meeting your needs. If after a couple more lessons things are not improved say something like, "You know I have been thinking this over and I really admire your sisters, blah, blah blah and blah. I think her method of training is really something I would like to learn. Perhaps that would be something for me to explore. How could I also get lessons with her?" Then it is her idea and not yours. Then take lessons from her sister for awhile and her and then over time transition fully in to the sister. Besides you don't want to burn bridges you may find you don't like the sister any better!

Answer 4

Tell your instructor that you'd like to try another style of teaching, but you are greatly appreciative of everything you've learned. As long as you don't behave as if it's awkward, the original instructor will have no choice but to behave as a professional and treat you the same as before.

Try to still be friendly about it though.

Answer 5

I agree, there is not "easy" way to handle this situation.  I think that honesty and not "bad mouthing" the current instructor would be the best approach.  Afterall, the grass may not be greener and you definately want to leave it open in the event that you want to switch back.  Just be honest, tell her "Thank you for the time you have worked with me, you have taught me a lot but at this time I feel I have reached plateau in my learning and  need to try out different approaches and think that your sister may be a good instructor for me"

Answer 6

Tell your instructor straight up that she's just not doing it for you. Don't sugar coat it for her. Horse business is business, don't waste your money on something that you don't like. And if you lie to her and she finds out, it just going to give her a bad impression of yourself. Just tell her how it is.

Answer 7

Yea! Sounds good!

Also you could try...

Youv'e been really kind to me and your such a nice beginners instructor but iv'e decided to switch to your sister because she's more forceful and I feel that I need someone to prove wrong and show what I can do!

Nah lol!

Your ways so much better!

Answer 8

theres really no easy way to say that, but i think your way of saying it is really good.  

Answer 9

What you said is a very nice way of letting an instructor go. I switch instructors awhile ago and there is still hard feelings. I simpley told mine that I feel like I need a different approach of teaching and that it was nothing personal and I basically had the phone hung up on me. I believe it was cause at the time many riders where leaving the stable. Just be really nice about it and keep a smile. Im sure she will realise how hard it is for you to tell her in the end.

Answer 10

That sounds good.She can't really put up an argument, and it spares her feelings.