I'd find a new teacher, she sounds really closed minded. what works for her may not work for everyone. I am self taught too, i just did it when I first started and never even gave a thought that there were rules. now I go with rules are made to be broken. I read tips and how tos but go with what work for me.
also the best teachers to learn from are right here on the QB. The people here are great and I have gotten more out of reading this site than any class. also the internet has wonderful videos on everything. I like watching those and you can watch them at your own convinious and over and over if you need to see it done.
I don't understand why the teacher was telling you not to do so many things that others do. like what is wrong with using the acrylic table, it gives you a bigger work space ? also I wash my material first and starch it, that way the material is shrunk and won't bleed all over everything. that way the person getting it has no problems with it. Also it washes the chemicals out that is on the fabric so no need to worry about allergies so many people seem to have. Even buying new clothes I have to wash before wearing or I break out in rashes. Good luck in you new adventures in quilting. Just injoy yourself and do what works for you.