Formal training - how much do you think is necessary?

[deirdre12]

Good morning!

This is a topic that I have been struggling with since the day I began teaching.  Let me give you a bit of background.  I played the piano all through my childhood with a fantastic teacher.  The last RCM exam I completed was my grade 9 when I was about 16 years old.  I then took on a few students under my teacher's guidance.  I then stopped playing and attended university, where I got a marketing degree.  After I completed that, I decided to return to piano, did my best to get back to where I left off, and decided to teach again.  I now teach during the evenings and weekends, and I can't imagine doing another job and loving it as much.  I relate well to children and my goal in teaching is to encourage these children to LOVE music.  My students' parents are very happy with the relationship I have with their children.  Some of my students are doing exams this week, and hopefully they'll do well.

Now, because I only completed grade 9, I feel that there is probably a lot that I have not yet learned.  I am not interested in returning to lessons for a couple of reasons.  First, I have children, so my time is quite limited.  I am not interested in doing more RCM exams.  Second, I feel that if one of my students got to a level that I could not continue teaching him or her, I would feel quite comfortable passing them on to someone who has a degree in music, which is something that I don't plan on getting.  I have considered getting a teaching degree and teaching music in the school system, but until my kiddies are in school full-time, this is not going to happen.

Can anyone recommend some books to me or some other form of learning?  I do my best to attend any workshops that come into our city and I try to keep up on my theory.  I communicate regularly with other piano teachers through mail groups and forums, but I feel like I'm missing something - does anyone have any recommendations for me?

Thanks!
D

[pianistimo]

dear deidre12,

i understand about the pressures of being a mom and not trying to go beyond the work threshold so u have nothing left for ur family.  plus, the price of gas is keeping alot more people home.  maybe our modern day expectations are higher than our parents and grandparents.  we want a higher standard of education, home, clothing, extras and entertainment, vacations - - but as the economy dips lower - our family is finidng that we have to find areas to cut costs. 

on the other hand, there are continuing education classes now even at the uni!  the level of teachers there vs the community college are several steps up.  it sounds like u are ready for more mental challenges in ur life (which i was too) and talking non-stop to kids makes u need to refill ur mind and to set some goals for urself too.

i think in just taking a few classes (piano lessons and a couple music history classes and a concerto class ) has made me learn faster than i would on my own.  however, i took out a school loan which i am now repaying - and wouldn't recommend student loans myself.  they are getting more expensive and sometimes makes u wonder about why u wanted the information so badly in the first place.

ok.  if u want to be sneaky.  a couple of weeks after classes start at ur local university - go to the bookstore and buy the class books for classes u would have taken if u'd had the time.  go to the music LIBRARY at least once per week and check out some books.  subscribe to a journal (this is a really great idea when u are interesting in teaching techniques, etc). 

if u are also into 'teaching' in general - there is an excellent magazine for homeschoolers called 'the teaching home.'  it has a lot of ideas that would transfer to public school teaching - and it's very straightforward and helpful for younger ages.  for older students, the only way to impress them - is to be practiced urself.  maybe with ur extra time - just practice a lot, too!

it's hard, i know.  piles of laundry.  cooking.  shopping.  but, u have to have a life too- or u'll feel like an automaton.  that's why i try to do what u are doing at various stages in m life.  basically, whenever it works out.  or, whenever i get crazy from not doing music enough ad just tell the family - 'bye, i'll be back in two hours.'  of course, kids don't like that occasional evening they have to make sandwiches or don't get immediate help on homework - but just tell them - do u want a crazy mother half the time or all the time?

[pianistimo]

another idea would be to 'barter' something for piano lessons.  i haven't tried this yet on my piano teacher because he seems pretty self sustaining.  he doesn't need housekeeping, paperwork , etc because he does it himself.  but, if he did, i'd be right on it.  with kids it's hard to want to put urself and ur needs above anything else the money might be used for.  but, i don't regret the money i've spent actually.  i learned a lot!  must think about how i might persuade my teacher to give me a few more lessons. 

[deirdre12]

Wow - thank you for all of the very helpful suggestions!  It sounds like you can really relate to me!!!

To be honest with you, teaching piano IS my life away from my kids.  I was home with my daughter and I was craving something, anything just for me!  When I started teaching, my life completely changed in that I finally felt I was contributing (even though I already was!)  and that I was doing something so unbelievably satisfying...and what do you know...I actually got paid well doing it!  By the time my little guy came along, I was established and pretty confident that this was exactly where I needed to be.  I still feel this way, but when I meet teachers with degrees, ARCT, etc., I feel almost like I'm cheating.  I DID actually take lessons again for about 6 months, but I found that I really didn't enjoy them.  I would much rather learn independently I think.

I recently moved cities and while putting up a flyer at our local school, a woman asked me what my qualitifications are.  I felt a little tongue-tied because really, my best qualification isn't on paper.  It's my experience with kids, how I relate to them, and that I take the time to really teach them what they need to know.  I know that I'm a good teacher, my students love coming to lessons, they do well in exams, but I would hate to think that I'm a "corner-cutter".  I hope this is making sense.  And I hope I'm not sounding conceited because that certainly isn't my intention with these posts! 

Thanks again for your input, pianistimo.  I enjoyed reading your posts.

D

[pianistimo]

it's funny - but as u said - sometimes people are just born with the ability to teach in their blood.  u can have someone with a phd that is a real bore.  especially with children.  i'd not be bashful at all .  just say what u said with aplumb and the mothers that take their kids elsewhere will be back at ur doorstep within six months when they find out that

#1 the cost and energy of lessons for geniuses - not to mention the amount of practice required is not realistic for MOST students.  there is at least 2-3 hours of homework for most students nowdays - so u are not going to usually get more than 30 minutes of practice at first out of beginning and intermediate students.
#2 the snooty mom's will get it right back in their face - by the hoity-toity's. 
#3 that you'll get their kids to think practice is fun and they'll end up working harder for u because u have children of ur own and know how to adjust ur levels for each student.

what we all need whether we have degrees or not - is a boost to our self confidence.  what i don't understand is why some women put other women down?  we should be helping to boost each other's confidence.  if someone tries to make u feel inferior -repeat in ur head all the things u know u are.  smart, capable, tried and tested...so forth.

u don't need a stamp of approval on ur forehead.  and, if ur humble as u are - u will find that u'll be open to learning more and more things that u incorporate into ur lessons without having to spend an arm and leg.  i think it's looking for ways to be professional.  if u feel that u want to have a testing at the end of the year and make ur own certificates - then u don't have to worry about the mom's that say 'this teacher has certificates of merit.'  u can have certificates, too.  often, the less stressful environments seem to bring out the best in certain students.  esp. high need students, slower learners, sibilings who are at different levels - because there is less comparison of students to other students.  u can even have ur own recitals and things (which u may already).

about teaching in public school - i think for the pay - a private school might be better.  plus - u could have some say about the curriculum.  i've never wanted to just do what the school said.  that would be like having a straightjacket on, to me.  the school system here is really nice, though - and i wouldn't doubt they let their teachers experiment a little more here. the results have been really great in the school music system here.  the kids are learning a lot and they enjoy the student chorus.

maybe bob knows what is required for the public school system for music teachers. i guess a music degree would be nice in the future.  just don't give up right now - because u already have a resume of experience and that can't hurt.

[lagin]

I haven't read all the posts thoroughly, so forgive me if I'm saying something that has already been said, but if you want a degree, why don't you get a hold of the current syllabus, pick out a grade 10 exam repertoire and learn and memorize it on your own.  Then you can take maybe 2 or 3 months of lessons after that to get some interpretive ideas, maybe play in some festivals, and then just register for your grade 10 exam under "no teacher."  I don't know if I would recommend the same for an ARCT, but then again, if you want your teacher's ARCT, and not the performer's, you could take your 2 best grade nine pieces (you'll most likely have to relearn them!), your 2 best grade 10 pieces, and then you only have to pick 2 ARCT level pieces.  You can do the same steps with the ARCT level ones as you did for grade 10, but I'm sure you'll be fine with the grade 9 and 10 ones on your own.  In fact, by that time you will be under the new teacher's ARCT syllabus, and it is WAYYYYYYY more broken down into mini exams (instead of 3 big ones) for people in your type of circumstances.  (Just make sure you get 70% in each section or 75% overall in your grade 10 before you register for ARCT, cause they won't let you do it otherwise). 

[cora]

I like Pianistimo's response but find it very irritating that she uses "u" instead of you. As a teacher, it is not acceptable to wreck our language like this.