I'm just about to finish Course II and while I wasn't sure I would stick with my current instructor when I was in Course I I did b/c there are few teachers nearby and I like her as a person. But, now that I'm planning to take Course III I'm wondering if I should change.
Like I said, she's a nice person but I'm concerned I'm missing out on some things and other things kind of bother me. For instance, except for the very first class in Course I she has never brought any of her own materials. Honestly, she uses mine b/c I'm usually ready to move on to the next task when she is so she uses my materials to demonstrate. Another thing is that she tells us she's forgotten how to do several flowers and borders b/c she doesn't bake much so she'll have to look in the book and then show us what to do. I asked her about gumpaste the other day and she didn't know what it was. She also had never heard of cocoa powder. I'm not trying to put her down, but isn't that common knowledge? And the other day when we were doing royal icing roses she said mine were way better than hers and she couldn't remember how to do a daisy until I mentioned that the book showed a different way of doing it than what she did. (It looked nothing like a daisy.)
These are just a few things that have happened. I really want to incorporate cakes into my current business and I'm not sure if I should continue with her. What should I do?
Even if she is a nice person, you are paying for someone to teach you, not paying to teach them. Do you think she will hear from others that you took a course from someone else? I would definately want to get a new teacher if I were you.
It sounds like you know a bit more than this instructor does about cake decorating already! I don't think you're getting your money's worth to be honest with you. I think I would consider another course/teacher if I were in your place. The Wilton course 1 teacher I had was much the same as this one. Needless to say I never did take courses 2 or 3. (didn't need to anyway, taught myself and got experience in a bakery). You might even want to consider writing Wilton to share your experience with this teacher to them. These courses are not cheap and students deserve the best of what their money is buying!!
All the best to you in your business venture and with the next course! Is this course almost finished? Keep us updated!
blessings
elly =o)
I think I had the absolute worst instructor for my Wilton Course 1!!!!
So I think I know what you're going through.
I definitely did not go back to her. She was nice too, but she was very expensive, she never brought her own stuff either, she didn't teach us the techniques properly, and then she'd laugh at us when we couldn't do it right.
I almost gave up after Course 1 because I thought I'd never learn how to decorate, not knowing, she taught us the wrong way to do things and that why nothing would ever turn out.
I'm so glad I decided to go to someone else (even though I had to drive much further) for Course 2 & 3. That instructor was excellent, beyond words, and there I was able to develop my skills and now do cakes as a business.
If you feel you're not being taught properly, I would advise you to go to someone else, and not worry about hurting anyone's feelings, because they will get over it, but you will not be taught correctly if you stick around.
Just my opinion.
Purple 
I'm just about to finish Course II and while I wasn't sure I would stick with my current instructor when I was in Course I I did b/c there are few teachers nearby and I like her as a person. But, now that I'm planning to take Course III I'm wondering if I should change.
Like I said, she's a nice person but I'm concerned I'm missing out on some things and other things kind of bother me. For instance, except for the very first class in Course I she has never brought any of her own materials. Honestly, she uses mine b/c I'm usually ready to move on to the next task when she is so she uses my materials to demonstrate. Another thing is that she tells us she's forgotten how to do several flowers and borders b/c she doesn't bake much so she'll have to look in the book and then show us what to do. I asked her about gumpaste the other day and she didn't know what it was. She also had never heard of cocoa powder. I'm not trying to put her down, but isn't that common knowledge? And the other day when we were doing royal icing roses she said mine were way better than hers and she couldn't remember how to do a daisy until I mentioned that the book showed a different way of doing it than what she did. (It looked nothing like a daisy.)
These are just a few things that have happened. I really want to incorporate cakes into my current business and I'm not sure if I should continue with her. What should I do?
If you do not feel she is up to par then by all means try to get another teacher. You are paying to learn the techniques so "liking her as a person" won't teach you the techniques and certainly won't give you your money's worth.
Having said that, Course II does not teach about gumpaste so she is not required to know how to use it or even what it is. It would be nice if she knows about it but definately not a requirement.
But it just goes to show, apparently anyone can be a Wilton's Method Instructor.
The same exact thing happen to me. My teacher never bought anything to class and would just sit there and watch us and say "It looks ok" I didn't want it to look Ok, I wanted it to look right. I took all three classes with her and didn't learn anything. So I quess you could say I taught myself. Now I'm starting all over again with a new teacher who great! I'm very pleased with my new teacher. I'll be finishing course 1 this week and I finally can make a decent rose.
I agree that if she is teaching the course, she should know what she is teaching you. I am going through this now because i just agreed to teach a course 3 wilton class in May and am currently taking course 3 now. I am practicing as much as I can so I am good enough at the techniques to show my students.
That said, I also want to explain something...Wilton does not pay the instructors for icing/cake supplies. The reason your icing is used by the instructors is because 1. If we made icing for each class we would be paying out more in supplies than we got paid to instruct the class. 2. Wilton actually states to use the students icing/supplies to demonstrate for that very reason. The only reason I am saying this part is becasue this isn't the first post about an instructor using the students icing, so I thought this info may help everyone understand the reason for that.
Again though, I am busting my bum to make sure I have EVERY technique down before I teach the course, and she should have done the same. There is no reason for her to not know ANY of the items that are in the lesson, even if she hasn't taught before, becasuse the training materials provided by Wilton makes it PERFECTLY clear what the instructor needs to know and demonstrate. I would look into a different store in your area and see if you may be able to change for course 3. Good Luck.
LOL. Its not bad pay considering (for me at least) I am teaching and getting paid to do something I LOVE doing. The pay varies according to how large the class is. Wether the class is large or small though, using the fondant, royal icing, buttercream, different items that get thrown out (disposable bags ect) each week would seriously cut into the instructor's pay.
LOL, Schmoop! OK, I'm going to look into finding a different teacher. She hadn't planned on teaching Course III and so I was happy we would have a someone else, but then she changed her mind. But, after last week when she was supposed to have a sub for her and that teacher forgot and didn't show up, it probably wouldn't have made much of a difference which instructor I had at that store! 
Thanks, everyone!
Just read your notice on Wilton Teachers, yes they are not paid their weight in gold, but they are paid fairly. But I love my job, it has always been the job I get to take with me every time I move. I have been a WMI for 15 years and have always brought all my own supplies to every class I have taught, If I did not then my students would have to wait to see what I am teaching them if I am using their product. I bring my supplies so that they can practice along with what I am showing them. The teacher should circulate among the class to make sure everyone understands the technique before they move on. Also a teacher should use each students icing once during class to make sure they have the right consistency so the students understand and know the difference.
If the teacher is not doing their job, did you talked to some of your classmates to see if they are having the same problem? You should talk to the store manager and let that person know how disappointed you are in the class and that your expectations have not been met. Also I would contact wilton with the teachers name and which store you were at and explaing to them what the teacher was not doing, as well as what they were doing and that they did not meet your expectations.
The others who have replied to find a new teacher are correct, if you are lucky enough to live in a large area that there are more than on Wilton instructor in your area try them. I am the only teacher in my town and i have students who travel from over 100 miles away, I do try to make sure all my students understand all the parts of the lesson plans and know they are the reason why I have the job I have. I also have a policy that all my students may call me whether they have class with me or not to ask questions and bounce ideas off of me.
Wow, nylorec, you sound like a great teacher! Luckily, I do live in a large city so I don't think I'll have a problem finding another instructor. In Course I there were 5 students and in Course II there are only 2 of us. There were supposed to be 3 but one dropped out. I don't think the other student is disappointed, but I haven't asked her so I'm not sure. She's actually behind b/c she had to miss a class and even though there are only 2 of us, somehow, we got off track at the last one and now I'm behind, too. ERGH. Oh well. I hope that I can find a Course III for next month that's not too far and that has a good instructor. Hope springs eternal! 
I agree with nylorec. I always bring my own supplies. It pisses me off when I hear about a teacher like that. I work hard and go to all of the seminars and meetings I can find so I will be up to date on new products and tecniques. You should contact Wilton. Go the the webite. www.Wilton.com and complain. Unless students are willing to do this, we are all going to suffer.
I'm having the problem with course III. The instructor stands in the middle of the room and does a flower then tells us to do it. I can't even see what she is doing. The class is suppose to be 6:30-8:30 and usually ends at 8:00. The instuctor just walks around the room and tells every one they are doing fine even when their flowers look nothing like they should. Tues. if my last class and I found out we aren't doing a tiered cake, only the bottom tier. I took the class to learn to do tiered cakes and feel I am being cheated. I intend to write to Wilton and let them know how unhappy I am. When I took Course i & II (20 years ago) I had an excelent teacher. I may go to a different store just to learn the right way.
Wow! I am so sorry to hear that you are having a bad experience. I just started decorating recently and am in course III right now. I have had an entirely different experience. My instructor has been wonderful! She brings her own icing to class (even demonstrated how to make buttercream and royal in class and gave us some to work with and take home so we could compare the icing we made at home to the correct consistency icing), makes sample flowers for us to take home so we have a 3D visual to work with during the week, and is very helpful and kind. I would definitely find another teacher because you want to "learn." Just tell her thank you so much for all of her help, but you're going to take course three from someone else and see if a different teaching style would work better for the way you learn.
In my opinion, at the very least, she should know how to do the techniques properly before going to class. Also, just to let you know, my teacher recently went to a Wilton 3Day weekend seminar and they told her she should be teaching the daisy where it kind of looks like a windmill in the end. This is not what I think a daisy should look like, but it may be what your instructor heard, too. I think the daisy was the hardest flower of them all to master, but when I kept my tip angled low to the nail and twirled the nail, instead of my hand, for each petal, they eventually looked nice. That one takes some practice!
Please find another teacher! I've had so much fun in my classes. They shouldn't be discouraging and frustrating.
For instance, except for the very first class in Course I she has never brought any of her own materials. Honestly, she uses mine b/c I'm usually ready to move on to the next task when she is so she uses my materials to demonstrate.
As a Wilton Instructor let me say this is a common thing. I only have icing Course 1 Lesson 1 and Course 2 Lesson 2 (when I make the Royal in class.) We are instructed by Wilton to use the student's icing in the other lessons to demostrate. It also gives us a chance to check consistancy.
Another thing is that she tells us she's forgotten how to do several flowers and borders b/c she doesn't bake much so she'll have to look in the book and then show us what to do.
She doesn't sound very professional here. If she teaches classes every month I don't see how you can forget things. 
I would contact Wilton about her or the store to let them know your experince with the class.
If you are not happy with the instructor/classes or what you are learning, then you should definetly go to a different store. You are playing for lessons and you aren't getting the full benifit of them.
Hey tiggy2 look around your area for a new teacher, there are plenty of stores in your area, hobby lobby, michaels, and some ben franklins have them as well, if you have friends that have taken the class ask them where they went as for the short cut in class that is unacceptable. Your store should be made aware that the teacher is cutting the time so you are not able to accomplish the tasks for the class. Teachers are required to teach a 2 hour class, you paid for 8 hours of lessons which you are entitled to.
In course 3 i always let my students do stacked and tiered cakes, if you do not see how it is done then you will not understand how it is assembled.
Please write wilton and tell them how your teacher is doing because feedback is important no matter how good or bad.
Well, I was going to say everything TexasSugar said but she already said it. 
I also bring either a dummy cake or a real cake to fondant night in Course 3. It's a great opportunity to share MMF with students, and I can't exactly demonstrate how to do a fondant-covered cake using one of my student's cakes and fondant. Haha, I originally found the MMF recipe on Wilton's discussion board. People really need to know there are alternatives to that nasty boxed stuff.
Go take your classes at the other store, Chocomamma. A few months ago I was teaching a Course III when one of the students informed me she had filled out the instructor screening form and was offered a Michael's store. She was going immediately from my classes to her own store, and she didn't even bother showing up for the final night of Course III. Her work was sub-par, too...she had no natural flair for cake decorating and frankly, not much of a personality to boot. I feel badly for her students. It ticks me off that Wilton is so eager to get people into stores to sell their products that they compromise on the quality of the instructors.
Getting off my soapbox now...
go ahead and change instructors. i wouldnt bother making a big deal of telling her either. just sign up for a different class. if she does for some reason ask you why, you could always say that this new class fits your schedule better. you deserve to feel you are actually getting what you are paying for. i hope your new instructor is everything you are looking for.
Just to be nosy, what is the cost of a class, and what is the pay for instructors? I have never taken a class, but learned from my grandmother (she did weddings) and the bakery I worked at. I am a SAHM, and am thinking about taking classes and finally becoming an instructor after some more experience.
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