If the a/c has enough airspeed that the elevator is capable of keeping the nose up then it is too fast to require nosewheel control, (I think?) eventually gravity will take over etc. (headwind considered of course). I am talking about some pushing to get it down.
You did not say that he was trying to get you to push it down, using the elevators to keep it off is exectly what I mean by controlling the nosewheel and there are many that do not do it, as you say, eventually gravity will take over, but there are some very strange techniques I have seen over the years, as an instructor I would like to see that correct technique was used - from what you say this was not the intention, so yes poor (flying) technique from the instructor.
But as a student pilot one is expected to worship the instructor
There are certainly many of my students that never did this, and not something I would want, much better that you are more approachable so the student can question WIHIH