Perhaps there was some misinterpretation on my part. My experience also has included teachers that abusively use their power to belittle students. Certainly, without actually witnessing her interaction with students, I can't really be the judge of Magda's actions and I apologize if I did misinterpret them as more abusive than they really were.

To clarify my point on positive vs. negative reinforcement...positive and realistic expectations/interactions are not mutually exclusive in a teacher. Being positive is different from pandering to students and avoiding criticism or critiquing. I too, think there is too much of that. As I mentioned above, it is my experience that mediocre work is often (and unfortunately) rewarded. I've taught in schools like the one you mention in Ohio and it was incredibly discouraging to be the one teacher who cared that students had little to no knowledge of proper technique or terminology. It was infuriating that the only thing practiced in most classes were poorly executed kicks and jumps and that the teachers would drill these things until dancers were sporting injuries. It was also very disheartening that these same students would win medals at competitions, perpetuating their lack of drive in the classroom. Not all schools are like this, not all competitions reward this. But, there are many, many schools and competitions exactly like these. And that IS a problem.

I want to reiterate that I've agreed (and continue to agree) with you on all points on teacher responsibility. I mentioned these other factors not to take away from the fact that teachers have a great responsibility to make sure their students are getting a good education, or to blame the kids. In fact rather than place blame on any one factor, I was attempting to look at the whole problem which, in addition to teachers who are not offering quality education, includes the quality of some competitions, quality control regarding teaching, and poor education regarding quality dance and dance training.