Clarification - Does everyone teach this way?

I suggest two things:

Take the Fundamentals of Instructing (FOI) and the Advanced Ground
Instructor (AGI) written tests. Then take them to the
Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) and get a ground
instructor license. This may help you understand the basics
of flight instructing and help you with some self-awareness
as a student (and what you want from your instructors).

If you meet the requirements for time, train for and
get a commercial instead of a private glider license.
I especially recommend this for transition pilots that
can just take ten extra tows to meet the minimums.
The US PTS standards are so close (+- 5 kts
instead of +- 10 kts, +- 5 deg instead of +- 10 deg of bank) that
it's negligible.

Winter is the best time for training. Less competition for
tows, gliders, instructors, traffic, runways. And none of
that icky bumpy air to make you sick on your first few
flights. Enjoy it!