[pistacho]

Hi. I take dance lessons and last month, our wonderful male teacher, whom we have had for over a year sent us an email resigning. In the email he explained that he was too busy and that he felt that some students had been rude to him. He also wrote that the group of students had a goal different than his. We were shocked! Well, we still are! After that, we have tried to contact him by email, text messages, phone calls, but no answer so far. Obviously we, the students, had a meeting to talk about this and nobody thinks that she was rude to him; We realize that we had complained to him sometimes because he'd cancel classes at the last minute, and was constantly late; but we were never irrespectfull . We are very confused and hartbroken, because we really care for him as a teacher and as a friend. For the last seven months or so, he had been different, like more serious, he had been distant, colder, not so friendly... We used to get worried and ask him what was wrong, and he always said "nothing",
Now we have a new female teacher who is friends with him and she told us yesterday that the former teacher says 'Hi'. There was absolute silence in the danceroom. Nobody knew how to respond to that.
What do you think went wrong? Why won't he talk to us? Why resigning... isn't it like too drastic?

[talaniman]

He is the only one who could know whether his actions are drastic or not. It may seem like it was drastic to you, but not for him, and you may never know the facts behind his decision, but its his decision, and hard as it is, you must accept it, and carry on. Assuming and presuming as a group does you no good, and you will have to cope with your confusion, and dissapointment.

[Devorameira]

It's impossible to know what was and still is going on in his life.

You've really done all you can by attempting to contact him, so I'd stop with the texts, phone calls or e-mails.

You personally might talk to the new teacher and just let her know that you're concerned and ask her to tell him that you're thinking about him. Other than that, I would do nothing.

[pistacho]

Thanks. The only problem is that as I frequently attend dance recitals, shows, etc.. I will encounter him someday and I will feel very awkward for sure. It will be difficult for me to act as if nothing happened

[answerme_tender]

It sounds like he is having issues in his personnel life that he needs to have more time to deal with. If he has chosen not to acknowledge any type of contact from anyone in the class, then I wouldn't give it anymore thought.

As for the new dance teacher and her being a friend of his and wanting to tell the class "hi" from him. I would give that the same acknowledgement that he so thoughtfully gave to your attempts of contact. Remember that you are all there to learn to express yourself in dance not in gossip. As far as running into him at recitals, I would just wave and go on your way. Good luck with your dance.

[talaniman]

Thanks. The only problem is that as I frequently attend dance recitals, shows, etc.. I will encounter him someday and I will feel very awkward for sure. It will be difficult for me to act as if nothing happened

You acknowledge him with the respect he s due, and its difficult not to feel awkward, but you still have to act with polite dignity. There will be many situations in life that are awkward, but you get through them by being polite, and respectful.