The whole class can't be like that..bean pole cultish, insecure, etc. Or is it?

Ah, heck Miranda I learned long ago I can't be/don't want to be blonde beautiful, never want to dye my black hair blonde (but some Asian women do, for Pete's sake) ... so there are ALL types of things that could easily pull down a person. ..besides "wrong" weight/size. Many things that person cannot genetically change.

Of course, this has nothing to do with your cycling competence..which is the whole point.

If you're working out the class well and some students look /comment on how it's benefitting them..then that's the best compliment to a teacher.

Have you asked any of these students if it's helping them?