Help! Don't have experience but being a substitute teacher for another girl.

[elisianna]

  One of my teachers students will be up to her ears in exams next month and he told her that he would fire her if she didn't stop teaching for a month and a half to study, he told her that he would get a suitable substitute for her and apparently thought of me right away.

  Now, sometimes I help my little sisters when they have difficulty, and I STARTED to teach my mom piano (but she hates music so she decided it would be a bad idea).  Other than that, I don't really have any experience. (I guess we all have to start somewhere, huh? XD)  I also never really had the experience of being a beginner students except for one year.  After the one year my teacher moved me into grade  8 (RCM) and I'm about to finish that, and then I'll skip right on to grade 10.

  So this teaching experience will be a little like a job interview, because one cannot officially teach until they are finished with their grade 8.  If I do a good job subbing with these kids, then I will be able to start teaching for real once I'm finished.  It's like a long job interview, my teacher says he will judge how well I am doing based on parent feedback.  (I didn't even know parents did that!). 

  I'm happy that all the kids are beginners, none of them have been playing for more than a year (at least I don't think so) but I still want to do a good job XD.  (I guess it's worth something that my teacher thought of me first, among other students who could have done it)

  I just really want to know what kinds of things I could do to succeed at this XD I know everyone needs to learn from experience, which I plan on doing, but I'm just looking for some tips on how to be a good beginner teacher (someone that would get good parent comeback!!).  Please help me and give me some suggestions!~

Thanks in advance.

[andric_s]

You'll do fine.  Just be kind and patient and everything will work out.  Give beginners clear, small goals which are easily attainable-- it makes everyone happy.
good luck and congratulations!

[abell88]

The students will probably have their dictation books with instructions from the other teacher, right? Take a look and see how much she's been assigning them per week, and see if you can find out things like the lesson format, too. Although you don't want to be a clone of her, (many) kids like routine...they may be nervous having a new teacher, so if you can make things as familiar as possible that will help.

I think a big mistake I made when starting teaching was talking too much..."Show, don't tell" is often a good principle.

Best wishes!

[elisianna]

Thanks very much guys! ^^  I'll definitely do all that. =)

I went back today to talk to a guy there about subbing for her and now he's asking me to teach on Wednesday nights~  So I'd also have my own students.  I'm excited =)

[lagin]

What?!  Are you sure about not being officially able to teach until you finish grade 8 RCM?  I started right out of grade 6, with beginner students of course, though.  And I had only been playing a short while myself like you.  I think you'll be fine.  I'm sure this other girl has them grounded in technique and whatnot, so really you'll just be helping with notes and giving your interpretation (which imo, is really easy because interpretation = opinion, and my dad says opinions are like belly buttons - everyone's got one!).  No, but seriously, you'll be fine!  Trust me.

[abell88]

What?!  Are you sure about not being officially able to teach until you finish grade 8 RCM?

There are no official requirements to be able to teach piano. I gave my first piano lesson the day after I had my first ever lesson. However, Grade 8 has traditionally been considered an appropriate level for a lot of things, including teaching beginners, becoming a kindergarten teacher (in the old days), etc.

[chelsey]

If you're referring to teaching with official association with a conservatory, the real "official" level is the ARCT-teacher's diploma (by the RCM), however before you earn this diploma, you need substantial teaching experience (either actual or joint/observation), plus written exams in theory/history/pedagogy(essay) and a practical where you have to prepare for yourself pieces at virtually every level (can be divided into earlier grades and later grades in some cases), and then be prepared to discuss them in a viva voce exam.

Otherwise, like abell and lagin suggest, there is no "official" level to begin teaching

[elisianna]

Right, ok XD Maybe it's just the studios around here then that have that as a rule.  Because everytime I mention the fact that I'll be finishing grade 8 the teachers there go "Oh! Then you will be able to teach!" XD Hehehe.

Anyway, when I was having an interview to do the subbing he asked me if I would like to have my OWN students on wednesday evenings.  I said yes, and I start tonight.  I'm kinda nervous, but thanks for all the advice guys, now I think I'll be able to do a bit better. =P