So, I decided that I would like to earn some extra $$ and start teaching Wilton classes. I completed an application and a position is available at Joanne's Fabrics in my area. I went to check out the classroom tonight and it is SOOOOO small! It barely fits 4 people - and the store requires a minimum of six to run the class (apparently they are changing this requirement in Sept.)

I have to meet with the Joanne's event coordinator next week, but I already want to tell her "NO WAY." I can't wait to find out the last time a Wilton class actually ran there. I tried to sign up for classes there in January and it didn't run so I went to Michael's and took all my classes there.

If you know anything about teaching Wilton classes, the more students you have, the more you get paid. Well, I don't see any earning potential when a classroom has only 2 small tables (they are probably 5 ft. by 3 ft.) and you can't even fit 6 people comfortably in it! Not to mention, there is no sink!

Grrrr....I am just very disappointed.

I haven't had the opportunity to teach (filled out an application last year but no openings, which that's okay) but have heard that if you are really wanting some money out of it that its not the best thing because you don't get a whole lot. I guess they expect you to do it out of the love for decorating rather than truly wanting a decent paycheck.

I teach at Michaels I love it. Its not a get rich theme by all means but I do make money at it.
Try to see if they have a differnt store you could work at. Tell the wilton person there is just not enough room for the minimum requirment.

i've heard that joann's doesn't pay you for demos or displays either. i just got hired as a WMI at a michaels and they pay me for all of that stuff. but kitagirl is right, its not a lot of money. im doing it mostly for the discount, to help pay for my supplies and new cake toys, and of course because i do love to teach. i think if they are changing the policy in september it might be worth considering, because at this point you couldn't even do a class until august at best. so its just one more month. but if you're not willing to do all the work of demos and displays then you might want to hold out for a michaels position.

Yeah, I have to ask the lady about pay for the demos and stuff, because I will not work for free. I am a new SAHM. I made very good money before I quit my job. I can always find something in my field (education), but I liked the evening and few hours on the weekend that I could have done with Wilton.

THe issue here is more about the class size than anything. Even if I do manage to get 10 people to take the class, the room doesn't even comfortably hold 5!

The lady who teaches at the Michael's store in my area has been there for 5 years. She is not going anywhere.

Oh well, it isn't meant to be.

You might still check at your Michael's store. They actually will hire 2 instructors for each type of class, if they have the payroll. My store has 2 and it works out great. Wilton likes us to teach a Course 1 every month and sometimes she does, sometimes I do. It helps to have someone with a different schedule also to keep classes running on different nights, daytime, etc. All they can do is tell you no! -Lori

ya, the store im at has two instructors also. we're both brand new and will be trying to start up our first classes in august. i wonder how it will work out? celebrationsbylori- do you ever both have a course 1 in the same month? im just thinking that we should start with a course 1 the first month and try to roll the students over to course 2/3.

Run from JoAnns just as fast as you can!! I say this from an awful personal experience teaching at their store. Granted I am in Alaska, but it took 7 weeks to get my first check! And no, they do not pay you for demos or anything extra. Michaels is the better place to teach at. JMHO

You will not get rich with teaching. If you enjoy teaching it is fine, but other then that I would not teach again, it was too time consuming for me, and the money was not there. Most of the places their rooms were too small, and the art teachers always had the larger rooms. I was very disappointed in the program.