I began my career today

[pizno]

So, I had 3 students today, all for the first time, for my first day of teaching!  The parents are awfully kind fo take me on as a teacher - knowing that I am new to it.  The kids were great.  The beginners were easy, we played around on the piano, I drlled them on finding different notes, black note groups, etc..  We did some rhythm drills, finger drills, etc... 

I figured I would wait until they know every note on the piano very very well before beginning to teach score reading.  How long do you think that will be?

I have one older student (13) who has studied for 2 years, but is not terribly secure at notes or rhythm.  I am backing her up, doing a lot of drills to get her more comfortable with what she is doing.  But I worry about boring her to death.  And if she doesn't practice them, she won't progress - I can only hope.  She seems motivated.  I guess this is one of the hardest things, eh?  Trying to get them to get over their weaknesses so they can progress musically.  I'm getting it now..... such a learning process, it is!

Piz

[jpianoflorida]

Congratulations!  I wish you the best! Just remember you are going to get all kinds of students--fast learners, slow learners, etc etc.     Treat each one as an individual and you'll be fine! Most of all, ENJOY each day with your students.   Never let the job get to be a "drag", and if it does then do something to refresh yourself. Sometimes that may mean re-arranging your studio, a vacation, or maybe just having a "spontaneous" lesson day where you don't do the normal things with during your students lessons.   Again, Congratulations!

[lostinidlewonder]

Fantastic work, yes the lessons you give in your initial years of teaching will remain with you for a long time. You learn a great deal more than your students, I think you should never forget this relationship, where there is no teacher/student, but both are teachers and both are students at the same time.

Try not to worry about practice, I too use to worry all the time it wouldn't get done. The reality is that students will often neglect practice. This is the biggest challenge to the teacher, how do you allow students to utilise erratic practice to produce the biggest results.