I'm halfway through my second Wilton class, and if my third class is as fun and the other two I think I may want to become an instructor.

The only problem I see is that there is already one instructor in our area (mine) and I've only seen Michaels offering classes.
I don't want to step on her toes, so there is no way I could apply at Michaels, as he already does a wonderful job, and they don't need any more instructors. I just really want to be able to offer to a larger audience, and to spread the cake love. And to have an excuse to decorate as much as possible!

We dont' really have any other craft stores around, and I know I wouldn't be able to offer classes from my home, but what are Wilton's rules about who I can teach classes through?

Would I be allowed to teach via the local Cornel Cooperative Extension or BOCES?
If I wanted to teach through a store would they have to have to carry their products like Michaels does?
Do they have to be a chain and/or craft store?
What are the rules about class prices and any payment that comes to me?
Does everything money wise have to go through Wilton?
If I teach via a store would they get any money from it, or incentive to keep offering classes?
What about the co-op extension and BOCES, would they get any money or incentive for hosting my classes?
If Wilton doesn't allow teaching in any of the venues I have access to, can I myself still teach what I know there, as long as I don't use their name and format? aka, don't say I'm teaching "the Wilton method"

I don't know the answer to all of your questions but I suggest you go to Wilton.com and click on "Instructors Needed". That's what I did and I am becoming an instructor at Michael's. I do know that some locations have more than one instructor so you might want to check that out. I've found the people at Wilton to be very nice and helpful. Good Luck!

Alien, there are instructors that teach at some community colleges and places similar. You might check that out with Wilton.

If you find an INDEPENDENT store (not a chain), such as a cake and candy supply, they should at least carry some Wilton products.

Cost for class is set by the store unless a chain, I think. I know my account sets its own. Money isn't handled by Wilton at all as far as I know. You are paid by your account.

I would suggest that you go to the Wilton web site and submit your application. They will know when there is an opening in your area. You may also want to talk to the current instructor to see if she has a back up. I know that I needed one so I could take my vacations or for coverage if i was ill. In addition, if we have a really large class, we will both teach so we can give more attention to the students practicing techniques.

The store (at least mine and I am sure others) will get rewards when they hold classes. They are usually given a monthly goal to meet. They also have different promotional things that some of the chains do not.

Yes you could just teach cake decorating based on your experience and not be associated with Wilton but you would miss out on some of the benefits of being a Wilton Method Instructor.

If you have any other questions, PM me and I will try to get you the answers.

Wilton is trying to get new accounts and new stores to teach their classes. I know they are now putting instructors into some Super Wal-Marts.

Once you've completed your third course, go to the Wilton website and fill out an instructor screening form. That way they'll have your information on file and if anything opens in your area, you'll be contacted.

You can't directly "apply" at any stores like Michael's as it is Wilton who places the instructor in the store, not the other way around, so don't be afraid of stepping on your instructor's toes.

~ Sherri

Thank you everybody very much for your responses!


Hi Smoochiefrog!
I live WAY upstate, in Clayton NY, there's a BOCES about 25 miles away in Watertown where I grew up. I went to computer camp there when I was younger, and my father and I too several computer classes together. (I was mostly there to be his tutor ) I still get a lot of mailings from them about class offerings, and I hardly every see anything like cake decorating offered, and considering what I wide audience gets their flyers, I thought it would be interesting to try and teach there.

Darstus/Cakepro: thank you very much for the info! There's a local party supply store nearby that sells a lot of Wilton stuff, but they aren't a chain, and I was thinking about bringing the idea of classes up to them. If Wilton is the one who sets up instructor/store matches how would I go about doing this?
Also, how exactly would I approach something like BOCES or my local community college about classes?

I don't have any idea about what BOCES is, but your community college probably at one time or another offered cake decorating classes. They tend to be twelve weeks long and are basically all 3 courses taught in that one 12-week period. Contact the administrator of the continuing education department to find out about offering cake classes.

You can call the Wilton class marketing lady to see about getting classes taught in your party store. I can't think of her name right now but I'm sure one of the other WMI's knows.

~ Sherri