Comments on: Private Lessons in the Public School: A look at teaching in an after school program http://www.musicteachershelper.com/blog/private-lessons-in-the-public-school-a-look-at-teaching-in-an-after-school-program/ Tips and Resources for Private Music Teachers and Performers everywhere! Thu, 09 Feb 2012 02:51:51 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Chris http://www.musicteachershelper.com/blog/private-lessons-in-the-public-school-a-look-at-teaching-in-an-after-school-program/comment-page-1/#comment-28374 Chris Fri, 09 May 2008 18:33:36 +0000 http://www.musicteachershelper.com/blog/private-lessons-in-the-public-school-a-look-at-teaching-in-an-after-school-program/#comment-28374 You may want to run spell check on the word "public" in your article.... You may want to run spell check on the word “public” in your article….

]]> By: Sarah Luebke http://www.musicteachershelper.com/blog/private-lessons-in-the-public-school-a-look-at-teaching-in-an-after-school-program/comment-page-1/#comment-17879 Sarah Luebke Sat, 12 Jan 2008 15:44:37 +0000 http://www.musicteachershelper.com/blog/private-lessons-in-the-public-school-a-look-at-teaching-in-an-after-school-program/#comment-17879 Thank you Amy and Craig for your very true comments. Teaching in any situation, from high school music lessons to university music programs, both have positives and negatives with regards to studio management and even politics within the program. Since every situation is different, it is important for us as teachers to step back and really ask ourselves if this is working for us. If there are too many politics and your studio is not managed in the way that works best for you, you can always talk to your supervisor at the school. If that doesn't solve any problems, deciding to focus solely on private lessons out of home may be the best for your situation. Craig made a wonderful point, saying that his work in a high school program "was the beginning of a very positive relationship with the school! I've been invited to come in and give a workshop with the large concert choir at least once every year since then and that has helped build my studio more than any advertising plan." Even if teaching in the after school program doesn't work out, maintaining those relationships with the teachers and students are invaluable to the growth of your private studio. Thank you Amy and Craig for your very true comments. Teaching in any situation, from high school music lessons to university music programs, both have positives and negatives with regards to studio management and even politics within the program. Since every situation is different, it is important for us as teachers to step back and really ask ourselves if this is working for us. If there are too many politics and your studio is not managed in the way that works best for you, you can always talk to your supervisor at the school. If that doesn’t solve any problems, deciding to focus solely on private lessons out of home may be the best for your situation. Craig made a wonderful point, saying that his work in a high school program “was the beginning of a very positive relationship with the school! I’ve been invited to come in and give a workshop with the large concert choir at least once every year since then and that has helped build my studio more than any advertising plan.” Even if teaching in the after school program doesn’t work out, maintaining those relationships with the teachers and students are invaluable to the growth of your private studio.

]]> By: Craig Tompkins http://www.musicteachershelper.com/blog/private-lessons-in-the-public-school-a-look-at-teaching-in-an-after-school-program/comment-page-1/#comment-17860 Craig Tompkins Sat, 12 Jan 2008 07:52:55 +0000 http://www.musicteachershelper.com/blog/private-lessons-in-the-public-school-a-look-at-teaching-in-an-after-school-program/#comment-17860 I have only taught privately on HS school premises a very few times and that was many years ago and only with the administration's approval. However, that was the beginning of a very positive relationship with the school! I've been invited to come in and give a workshop with the large concert choir at least once every year since then and that has helped build my studio more than any advertising plan. It's also important to connect with as many schools as possible since a change in the music teacher or administration can mean a drastic change in the attitude toward private instruction. I found this out first hand at a college where I was teaching an adult beginners voice class through the continuing education department. Every year this course filled up and had a huge wait list, but a change in administration one year meant that all such non-diploma courses were eliminated at the end of the fall term and I was suddenly without income. Trying to find a suitable place to teach half way through the year was virtually impossible but I was saved by another teacher going on maternity leave in January and walked in to a fully set up studio with 25 students at a small community music school. Only two of them decided not to continue with me. I have only taught privately on HS school premises a very few times and that was many years ago and only with the administration’s approval. However, that was the beginning of a very positive relationship with the school! I’ve been invited to come in and give a workshop with the large concert choir at least once every year since then and that has helped build my studio more than any advertising plan.

It’s also important to connect with as many schools as possible since a change in the music teacher or administration can mean a drastic change in the attitude toward private instruction.

I found this out first hand at a college where I was teaching an adult beginners voice class through the continuing education department. Every year this course filled up and had a huge wait list, but a change in administration one year meant that all such non-diploma courses were eliminated at the end of the fall term and I was suddenly without income. Trying to find a suitable place to teach half way through the year was virtually impossible but I was saved by another teacher going on maternity leave in January and walked in to a fully set up studio with 25 students at a small community music school. Only two of them decided not to continue with me.

]]> By: Amy Gould http://www.musicteachershelper.com/blog/private-lessons-in-the-public-school-a-look-at-teaching-in-an-after-school-program/comment-page-1/#comment-17830 Amy Gould Fri, 11 Jan 2008 15:57:27 +0000 http://www.musicteachershelper.com/blog/private-lessons-in-the-public-school-a-look-at-teaching-in-an-after-school-program/#comment-17830 I've taught in public schools after the school day (and during the school day). What you've said is true I did get a lot of students pretty quickly and for a friend of mine it has continued to work. I had several problems teaching in schools. First of all, I found it to be somewhat limiting. You are limited to the students of that school usually and if there isn't a large enough pool of interested students, your studio can dry up. You may start out with several students, but as activities and other conflicts come, they may drop lessons leaving gaping holes in your schedule. Also, the schools aren't usually open for you to teach during the summer. You may want to bring a space heater if you teach in a colder climate. Most schools dial back the thermostat at night. The later you teach the colder the room will get. Also, the school board can get in your way as well. I taught two days a week (with a full schedule) at a school during the day and the school board decided that it was a conflict of interest that the students were paying to be educated during the school day. They blocked all private teachers from teaching during the school day. I lost several hours of income at once. Another time I was teaching at a school and they hired a staff accompanist who also taught voice. She wanted to teach voice so they gave all of my students to her. Again I lost many hours of private lessons right before the beginning of the school year. I’ve taught in public schools after the school day (and during the school day). What you’ve said is true I did get a lot of students pretty quickly and for a friend of mine it has continued to work. I had several problems teaching in schools. First of all, I found it to be somewhat limiting. You are limited to the students of that school usually and if there isn’t a large enough pool of interested students, your studio can dry up. You may start out with several students, but as activities and other conflicts come, they may drop lessons leaving gaping holes in your schedule. Also, the schools aren’t usually open for you to teach during the summer. You may want to bring a space heater if you teach in a colder climate. Most schools dial back the thermostat at night. The later you teach the colder the room will get. Also, the school board can get in your way as well. I taught two days a week (with a full schedule) at a school during the day and the school board decided that it was a conflict of interest that the students were paying to be educated during the school day. They blocked all private teachers from teaching during the school day. I lost several hours of income at once. Another time I was teaching at a school and they hired a staff accompanist who also taught voice. She wanted to teach voice so they gave all of my students to her. Again I lost many hours of private lessons right before the beginning of the school year.

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