In some of the posts, we had mentioned coach and instructor. I think most of us have had the good and bad instructor experience. In the bad situation, you'll realize that the instructor is not what you want/need and leave. On the contrary, what qualities do you look for in a good instructor or coach - or makes you stay with that instructor ?

When it comes to a coach, I like to work with someone who cuts to the chase, who explains things clearly, who holds us up to his/her standards and doesn't let us get away with stuff, and who in the end empowers us to do our best. If I don't feel empowered, if I don't feel like I'm being educated, if I don't feel like I'm being pushed, then I don't feel like I'm getting my money's worth. I also have to get along with the coach: since I'm doing it for fun that hour I spend should go to someone who I get a good vibe from. Why make myself miserable over a hobby?

Rather than looking for a coach that makes you FEEL good, look for a coach that makes you LOOK and DANCE well. Go to a chain 6 week wonder if you want the former. They make their $10 per hour doing just that.

A good coach does not waste time on massaging egos.

Definition of a good instructor really varies with what what is it you are trying to learn. More steps? Technique? In genearl, a good instructor is the one who knows what he's talking about, understands students needs at this particular stage of learning and can explain it clearly. My rule of thumb is if I leave a class or private lesson and later on my own I can practice what I've learned for 2-3 sessions (4-10 saessions for a private) it was a good class. If I'm in a "step" class I want the steps explained in connection with technique (all CBMs and rise and fall and such in Standard, all the actions in Latin) otherwise I find them undanceable and imposible to remember.
In a technique class I need both visual and verbal insructions. It is not enough for me to see how it's done, sometimes I need very detailed explanations. For example, it is not clear to me what to do when istructor says "pick up your posture" or "shape to the right". I need to know what muscles to activate in order to do that.
And, of course, everything that Laura says, I agree with.

My instructor is awesome! He explains the steps and routines extremely well, he emphasises technique, and he also adds alot of fun into my lesson. I think that as long as they teach you right, and look out for your best interest they're great.

~*~Tangoteen

I agree 100% with "namelessDancer". Expressions like "pick up your posture" may work for aome people, but if i can't get it reasonably quickly, i need a more in-depth explanation.
It's very difficult to define the qualities of a good instructor as pupils are all very different - learn in different ways, have different needs and so on. This sounds very vague i know, but one of the skills of a good instructor is to recognise, and satisfy, the needs of the pupil, and to adapt their approach accordingly. This is necessary in all branches of learning and education (i'm an educator myself - but not in dancing -- if only!!)
They say teachers are the worst people to teach!! and there's something in that. If my coach is reading this - you're doing a great job.