Going to Ron Fellows, looked on the forum could not find anything about this.
Do you get the same instructor daily / or for your whole course, and also at the end of the course do you tip the instructor??

 

we had the same instructors for the whole course. They do solicit tips on the last day but it's low pressure.

 

Happy to give them a good sized top, for they were fantastic!!!

John

 

Good to know.

 

I gave tip to the main instructor Rick at the end of the school and he announced that it would be divided between instructors. It was a great experience and they absolutely deserved the tip.

 

They didn't even mentioned tipping at all when I was there a few months ago....

 

It is a group of instructors - about 8-9 instructors for a group of 20-24 students.

 

How much tip would be considered normal? I am planning on going soon.

 

Its really up to you. $100 to $200 seems reasonable. I walked to the main instructor and told him to call me name first when they were about to hand the certificates as I am planning to tip. When others saw me tipping everyone started tipping and they said it was a great idea. Again tip only if you are happy with experience and you want to. I was extremely happy with how bad these instructors wanted us to gain from this learning experience.

 

Lots of discussion here: https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-mountain.html

 

Tipping was not mentioned or even alluded to once during the time of my course in April. At the conclusion of the course, I spoke with Rick after the certificates were received and everyone else had left the room. Told him I would like to leave a tip. He told me to put it on the podium and as I did so, he announced over the radio to the instructors that a tip had been left, requesting that the instructors offer a thank you should I run into any of them on the way out. I don't recall seeing anyone else in my class tipping but it could very well have been done privately as I did.

 

When I went last year, Rick mentioned that tips would be split between everyone involved, including instructors and mechanics. When I took level 2 this year there was no mention of tipping by SM staff, but I think every student threw some cash on the podium during the graduation.

 

I can see word on the Corvette forum is very mixed. Some agree and some say tipping in general is getting out of hand.
I provide a personal sales service above and beyond to my customers. Some days that even takes money out of my pocket, no one has ever offered me a tip and I would never expect one. I'm simply doing my job.
Imagine being able to teach people to drive everyday in someone elses Corvette, never having to pay for gas, tires, brakes, damages or any repairs of any sorts. Then as the model years get better they just provide more free newer Corvettes for you to use year after year. Hell I'd do that kind of job for free if I could afford to. No tipping required...
I highly doubt any of the instructors are suffering from low wages doing it. Or simply they find another job.

Just asking how of you tipped your children's teacher who spent close to 180 days a year teaching your child each school day? Doing it for 12 plus years and beyond. Not to mention in some cases have to put up with a child's BS....... Not suggesting yours were **** disturbers, but a lot of kids in general are not easy students. At the end of it hopefully your children were given the opportunity to make a very successful living, often out earning the people who taught them. Not like I'll walk away from the school earning money from the skills I learned by attending it.

Many of you are earning far more then the teachers who spent years teaching you, allowing to make the comfortable living you enjoy. Purchase the Corvettes you've owned over the years and so on. How many of you have gone back to tip those teachers?

 

My wife is a grade school teacher. She gets tons of gifts at Christmas, during teacher appreciation week and the end of the year. In general, parents are very generous to her, as are we to our kids' teachers. I'd guess the answer to your question is many "tip" those teachers.

 

Imo, that is a very poor comparison. Teachers in my school district, with 20 years of experience earn $137,000/yr in base pay plus $22,000 in family medical and $34,000 in pension contribution (able to retire at 70% pay with 30 years in the system at age 55) for 182 days of work per year - are you suggesting Spring Mountain instructors are earning $1,060 per day? I would be surprised if they were earning 25% of that amount.

 

Sorry guys just goes to show you how long it's been since my kids have been out of school and how things have changed over the years. 15 plus years ago I didn't see any parents bringing gifts or leaving envelopes at year end. Your replies are valid and I respect your opinions as that is all these are including mine. It has me curious now.

I can say I'm pretty sure here in my area, in Canada a grade school teacher isn't making anywhere to close to a $137,000US or converted $170,000 Cdn. per year with 20 years experience. I can check though I know people in the system. My niece is a teacher. I'll also ask where I know a teacher where you pay good coin to send your kids to a private school.
I can't dispute some people likely reward their kid's teachers, but does it reflect the time spent? If so by comparison for a 180 days even for say 6 hours a day with you kid @ $5.00 tip per day, that's $900.00 per teaching season, per child you have in school to be fair. How many of you have left that for a tip that has your child's future at stake? Not to mention many kids attend school for free, at least the public schools in my city.

25% of $137,000 is only $34,250.00 who would waste their time getting out of bed for that? I think most of those instructors aren't dragging their A$$ out of bed complaining they have to go to work, they do because they love it.

If tipping is the norm I have no issues especially if I feel I'm leaving a much better driver.

Have to change my picture, no longer own the C5, new C7 in transit to me, somewhere in Toledo waiting to be loaded on the rails.

 

I was prepared to leave a tip when I went last month. No mention of it from the instructors. I figured all the recent flare up of tipping at Spring Mountain put an end to them asking for it?

Instead I am their biggest fan and spread the word whenever I can, they are a first class operation.

 

Just curious what school district your referencing. The level of pay you are quoting for public school teachers is far from representative of what 99% of teachers would make across the United States. It's not uncommon for teachers to start in the 30-35k range, have to supplement their base insurance plan for just themself and have to pay extra for any family coverage, with the employee contributing 12.5% in Missouri with a match in contribution from the district since educators in Missouri don't contribute in Social Security. I would guess you live in a rich Zip Code as compared to the nation with a high cost of living if teachers are being paid that high on tax payers money. It's my opinion that teachers are under paid regardless of where they may teach or make.

 

I'm sorry. In my opinion, these are absurd claims without proof. With all do respect, where is "your school district?" My wife is a current teacher in a wealthy school district with post Master's Degree education, and my mother retired after 32 years of teaching. Neither makes or made anywhere close to $137,000 in base pay. Please provide the pay scale (which is public information) for "your district." I just have extreme doubts about your claims unless you are referring to some form of private/boarding school. Most teachers gross less than $300/day in the real world and most don't receive tips and/or significant gifts. They also generally have to contribute 15% of their gross pay to their self-funded pension plan. Their districts generally contribute an additional 15%, though the balance in their "pension account" is irrelevant as they receive pension benefits for life upon retirement. In summary, please provide proof of your claims.

 

Ditto. As a retired Superintendent of schools with a Doctorate degree I can tell you most of the Superintendents in Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma and surrounding area would love to have the package quoted. Teachers in my part of the country are no where near the lofty figures quoted above.