Wilton Instructors - What Qualifies You To Be One?

Decorating By BCo Updated 28 Feb 2007 , 1:30am by BCo

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BCo Posted 27 Feb 2007 , 9:09pm
post #1 of 20

I was just curious as to what is needed for someone to qualify as a Wilton Instructor? I posted last week when I had my first class of Course 1 how disapointed I was and last night I had my second class and still it's not any better. I have a very elderly lady teaching our class and she's been doing it for like 50 years - she even has a award from ICES for teaching and being in the cake biz for so long I guess. She has an incredibly thick accent and it extremely hard to follow her and all of the people in class are always standing there looking puzzled b/c you can't understand her direction. Also she ends the class 20-25 minutes early each time. There are all new people (new to cake decorating/baking) in the class - except for me and they all seem so lost. I try to help out as much as I can but then some of them look at me like I'm trying to take over when I'm really not. I have learned so much from on here and other sites and just from being self taught that I'm just trying to help them understand the points that the teacher can't seem to get across. I was just wondering what it takes to become a teacher? Do you take a class in order to be able to teach. I think I might have to check into another store to continue my classes b/c she teaches all the Courses in this Michael's and I cannot see myself being able to follow in something I'm not sure about myself. I can handle this class now b/c it's just basic for me but when I get to the more advanced classes I would like to be able to understand and learn something.

I'm so upset b/c I know I HAVE to take Course 1 in order to take the other classes but I feel like she's not even following what she's supposed to be teaching us. She was so frustrated with everyone b/c she told us to bring plain white icing to our second class and we would color it in class so when we all did that she was upset b/c our icing wasn't already colored when we got there and it was taking too long for us to color it all. But yet she ended the class 25 minutes early. It's like she forgets what she tells us and then gets frustrated with us when we are just following what she said. I chose this store b/c it's the closest to my house but I think it will be worth it in the end for me to look elsewhere to take the remainder of the courses.

For those of you who do teach could you please tell me how each class in a typical Course 1 goes? What do you do in week1, wk2 etc. I just would like to get a feel of what I'm supposed to be doing. She told us for week 3 for us to bring 6 different colors and some cupcakes if we wanted so we could practice piping figures.

sorry this is so long but I'm so frustrated.

19 replies
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vickymacd Posted 27 Feb 2007 , 9:17pm
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I'm not a teacher but I took the courses and truthfully, we followed the book almost to a tee! I think we also decorated 2 cakes. Even though I'm self taught also, I learned a lot from the class. Bail!!!

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Janette Posted 27 Feb 2007 , 9:26pm
post #3 of 20

What a waste of your time. Is she the only instructor there? You may want to take a loss on the money and just sign up somewhere else.

My instuctor said all Wilton asked is if she took classes 1-2-3. That was it, she was an instuctor. She was ok, but just ok. I have learned 100 x's more since the class. There are so many things I ask myself why didn't she tell us this. Most likely she didn't know.

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BCo Posted 27 Feb 2007 , 9:29pm
post #4 of 20

Well see, I don't even think we are following the book - we have done nothing in the book!! lol What we did last night was not my style as far as decorating but I went with it b/c I want to take the class the way it is taught and I know she was trying to teach different basic things, but the cake was just scary! LOL it was neon colors and I was embarrassed to take it home. - I'll post a pic of it so you can see what she had us do.

So far I haven't really learned anything - besides that fact that I really don't like her coming near my cakes!! LOL - I'm sure I had the look of horror when she came over to use my cake as an example of what she wanted us to do next!! LOL She started on my border at the bottom and made like 3 shells with it - I finished the rest of the way around. When I took my cake home my 5yr old daughter asked me what happened to this part of my cake and I said what part and she pointed to where the instructor had made her 3 shells - and I laughed and said that's where the teacher was practicing to show everyone and my DD said - WHY DID YOU LET HER TOUCH YOUR CAKE!! lol - I was laughing so hard! Now if my 5yr old can see that then there's a problem!! lol

So here's the scary NEON cake....
LL

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BCo Posted 27 Feb 2007 , 9:32pm
post #5 of 20

Yes- she is the only instructor there and she teaches ALL 3 Courses and the Gumpaste Fondant course!!! YIKES!

I'm going to check other stores in my area - it may be worth it to travel a little further...

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mareg Posted 27 Feb 2007 , 9:36pm
post #6 of 20

Good Luck in finding another class!! Boy, I'm sure that you'll get much more out of a different instructor!

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gingersoave Posted 27 Feb 2007 , 9:41pm
post #7 of 20

Bturpin, I'm a Wilton instructor and have been for 6 years. I teach at Michaels. We have a BALL in my class. I show everyone how to ice the cake smooth the first night, then we eat the cake (SHHHH) and I give out my "secret" cake and filling recipe. We cover everythiing in the book and then some. I do TONS of talking and I tell the students what products are nice to have's, have to have's and don't waste your money on's. We as instructors are just touching on the cake decorating basics and you as students can choose to take many paths to where you would like your decorating career to lead. I have a blast in my class because I do it as a hobby and not to pay bills. I enjoy teaching my skills and giving as many hints and short cuts that I possibly can. I assume that all my students are doing this to be a professional some day so I have to step back sometimes and remember that not all students want to start their own business. So I keep it light and fun, we have everyone sharing their recipes in class and even some students bringing in the "treat" for everyone to share from fudge to home made icings. So my class is fun and I suggest that if your not learning what you were expecting that you go to another Wilton location and once you have completed your 3 courses you may want to consider teaching and pepping things up for your students. I'm in VA Beach if you want to come take my class!!!!! One more piece of advice, you should contact Wilton.com to post any complaints about your instructor b/c wherever your instructor is teaching she was hired by wilton and must be terminated by wilton and the store manager (I believe) can't "remove" her. Same thing with the store I am teaching at. 83 year old lady, cranky, mean, you get the idea could not be let go she quit b/c she had to share the account with me icon_lol.gif I wish you well.

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Belinda4 Posted 27 Feb 2007 , 9:44pm
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I just finished course 1 and am starting Course 2 next week! We followed the book exactly. The first week we did not make a cake, we watched the instructor make all the difference consistencies of icing and we went over what we were to bring in for week 2. The second week we made the rainbow cake. The whole class made a rainbow cake....now everyone could choose their own color scheme, but we ALL had to make the rainbow cake. The 3rd week we all had to make the clown cake...again...you could choose your colors....but we had to follow the book. Week 4 we did the rose cake.
Our class never got out early either, as a matter of fact some nights we went over about 15 minutes.
Sounds like it's the insturctor. I would find another store in your area that teaches the Wilton method! Cause I'm really learning lots and having fun too!

Oh, as for becoming a Wilton teacher.....I can get you the link for that. You just fill out a questionaire. And there are two Wilton Marketing Specialist that are in charge of getting new instructors started. They are super nice. You have to pay $25.00 to get all the materials to become an instructor. You have to email them pictures of the cakes you did in class.

http://www.wilton.com/instructors/screening/index.cfm

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jnoel Posted 27 Feb 2007 , 9:45pm
post #9 of 20

Wow. i just finished course 1 and we also went pretty much by the book. Our class 2 cake was the rainbow cake that's in the book. For class 3 we took in cupcakes and learned to do the bear face, a clown, hearts, drop flowers, and I can't remember what all else. For the last class we brought in a cake and got to choose from a few cakes in the book which one to do...the only "requirement" was that it have roses on it. I loved my instructor, and found her to be very helpful. I hope you can find another teacher not too far away!

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tyty Posted 27 Feb 2007 , 9:48pm
post #10 of 20

Your cake is beautiful. Maybe you need to find another store that has classes so you won't get stuck with the same instructor.

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darandon Posted 27 Feb 2007 , 9:49pm
post #11 of 20

For all of my classes I took, we followed the book. The instructor gave us other hints and ideas, but taught us all in the book. Our classes were never out early, sometimes they were late.
I do like the lattice design on the top of your cake, no matter how scary the colors are icon_surprised.gif

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rockii Posted 27 Feb 2007 , 10:01pm
post #12 of 20

I'm sorry that your class has been such a dissapointment. I agree with all the other advice. try and find another place to take the classes, and make sure to send an e-mail to wilton about your experience. I have taken class 1 and the gumpaste and fondant and we pretty much followed the book. my instructor gave extra information and was helpful when we had questions about baking and tools. The class seemed to have formed a friendship, and I look forward to taking the other classes from her. The up side is that you can look on your time at the class as information gained.

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denette Posted 27 Feb 2007 , 10:05pm
post #13 of 20

Just like GingerSoave, I was a Wilton instructor. I taught for over 4 years before I needed stop because of family. I loved it and my classes were fun! I taught directly from the book (I assume she gave you a book) because I wanted my students to be able to go home and relearn if they had forgotten. I taught the "extras" to students who didn't feel overwhelmed or wanted a bit more from me. I too shared recipes and have often referred "customers" to my students.

I am assuming that your instructor has been teaching for a VERY long time and feels that she no longer "needs" to teach from the book. If possible, I would contact Wilton just to let them know.

As for becoming an instructor, I filled out an application complete with pictures of my cakes. I had attended all three classes and finished with an interview. It turned out that the place (Michaels) where I had taken the classes needed an instructor immediately, so I was given the job.

Good luck to you. I can only imagine how frustrating it must be to you. If it helps, your skills are terrific! Keep up the good work!

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chaptlps Posted 27 Feb 2007 , 10:07pm
post #14 of 20

Well Bturpin,
How many more classes with this lady do you have to take? If it's only a couple more just stick it out and glean what you can. This lady has probably forgotten more about cake decorating than any of us will ever learn. LOL. I would just consider that this lady is older and maybe forgetful at times (we too will get there, and hopefully when we do, someone will not look at our shortcomings) and, well, for lack of a better way of saying it. "Consider the source". Yeah she's a little crabby, but obviously she loves what she does and is quite proud of her accomplishments. Maybe her taste in colors isn't what you like but then again, frosting colors are subjective you know. It's all about techinique, and if she's shown you one thing that you didn't know before than kewl.
I understand your frustration, you've paid good money with expectations of a certain product and aren't receiving it. But then again, take this for what it is. A very old lady, teaching a cake decorating class.
If it's the last couple classes then just wait it out, it's gonna be a loss anyway, and then take the next class somewhere else.

I'm not raggin on anyone, just tryin to get you to see it from another perspective is all. LOL

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janicecold Posted 27 Feb 2007 , 10:24pm
post #15 of 20

I took all 3 courses and they were by the book. If you are not sure as to what she said to bring for he next week it does say in your training book what all you need to bring for the next week including the what colours of icing and how much you need to bring. I would say just tough it out and then go to a different location for your next course. I would also maybe talk to you Manager of the store and explain your situation and how you felt about you classes and how they were not that great and the fact that she is finishing early every week. We usually ran late if anything when I took my classes. Good luck!!

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julesn20716 Posted 27 Feb 2007 , 10:27pm
post #16 of 20

Sorry to hear this class is not working out. I would find somewhere else with a different instructor but I would also be sure to let the store and Wilton know your concerns - if no one tells them they won't know. Hope it works out.

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renkly Posted 27 Feb 2007 , 10:30pm
post #17 of 20

I didn't have time to read all the was written, just the beginning because I have to leave to teach. I am a WMI and I only took Course 2 and was offered the job. What I would suggest is finish Course 1, sign-up for course 2 somewhere else. THAN write Wilton and let them know how bad this lady was and also you would like to become an Instructor. They are always looking for Instructors but there has to be an open store and that is hard to find. I had signed up for Course 2 and the lady kept canceling and then never called me back. I wrote Wilton to let them know and to say I would not want my business run this way. They wrote back , like 2 months later, and said they could not get ahlod of her either and would I like to teach. Then you pay $25.00 to buy the materials to teach you how to teach. I love it and it is so much fun. I have 20 years experience and included that also. Go to wilton and fill out the form to become an instructor right away. It is pretty intense and takes a while to fill it out. Than finish the course and write them about this instructor. Good luck as I do not know what it takes to get fired.

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mcassada Posted 27 Feb 2007 , 10:37pm
post #18 of 20

I'm so sorry that you are having a rough time in class. I hate that! I am a WMI and LOVE it and my classes have been going great!
We follow the book and she should be too
I would def write to wilton and let them know, they need to know. They don't want that type of person representing their company!!
I hope for the best for you!!!

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rlsaxe Posted 28 Feb 2007 , 12:53am
post #19 of 20

IMPORTANT TO KNOW! You DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT have to take course one of Wilton's decorating classes in order to take course two or three. You can skip right to the ones you feel are at your skill level. Don't waste your time with course 1 if it's below you.

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BCo Posted 28 Feb 2007 , 1:30am
post #20 of 20

Wow guys thanks for all the info - I don't know why I've been told that I have to take course 1 before I can take any others - too late for that but I only have 2 more classes so I'll stick it out. It's very frustrating for me but luckily I'm taking it with my SIL so we have fun together trying to just make it through the night! LOL I just wanted to check to see if this was out of the norm. I understand she's elderly and she does repeat herself 5million times and I'm sure it's the age thing but I didn't want to be mean. I do respect her and that's she a proud long time decorator but that only goes so far. I truely wanted to learn new things b/c even though I'm self taught and learn a ton by trial and error I really wanted to learn some other things that I thought the Wilton classes would be great for. I don't want to step on toes, I was just trying to see if it was just me being in a class that's a level to low for me or if it was that we weren't being taught correctly!!

GINGER - I WANT TO COME TO VA TO PLAY WITH YOUR CLASS!! icon_smile.gif

I know the colors are just that colors and can be adjusted and that's something that I really wasn't picking on - just one of those things!LOL But my true concern if for those others in class that have no clue where they even are. They try to look at the book and listen to what she says but when they are two different things it's so hard. I really have to hold back offering information in class but I'm dying to just show a few things to people to help them out - but I want to be respectful of the teacher. I don't know if I can fit being an instructor in with my schedule just yet but I think I will definitly look at other locations for my next class.

Thank you all so much for your helpful info! I truely appriciate you all!
I hope this didn't come off wrong - I do not want to be disrespectful but I am sooooooo eager to learn more and more!

B

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