Never give up!

[jpianoflorida]

I have a student that has been coming for about  a year! He has some learning disabilties, and often a temper and gets very upset when he doesn't get something correct or if he feels challenged.     I refused to give up even though sometimes I would wonder why he was even here!    Yesterday his mom came to me after the lesson and said I need to tell you something.    She proceeded to thank me for all i had done for him , tell me how much he loved me and coming to lessons and how piano had helped his concentration and his teachers had said there was a big improvement in his academics and they felt that piano had helped tremendously with that!    So it once again reminded me, what we do does count!   I know sometimes as teachers we wonder if we are making a difference.    Things like this situation remind me that I am so thankful to be a teacher and have the opportunity to affect someones life.      It also reminds me to never give up. We are not just piano teachers-we have the opportunity to be more to our students if we will take the time and energy to get involved in the whole person and not only look at piano progress.   Look at all the benefits of piano lessons-it's not always just about being a good pianist.

[lenkaolenka]

I have realized in the USA: to be a piano teacher is a very insecure profession with no paid vacation or benefits. Due to the fact, that people pay us money for lessons, they confuse us with waiters in restaurant.

It is very sad, because in music education real musicians (not just educators) with strong skills to teach instruments and music literacy (not to teach lessons about music) have to practically survive with no support of government. On the top of that to learn to play piano now days is not as popular as in 20th century. We have to put up with competition with many other activities. Beginners coming and going, because they have choice – to study music or not – and majority of the parents are not musically literate and sometimes just do not care much.

Sometimes I feel very sad about this entire situation and the moments, such as the one you described, is very important for me to keep me going. I have some beautiful moment to share also. Recently I went to train some piano teacher in California. She works with my system already a year. She has a student with learning disabilities and muscular dystrophy on the top of that! The student's name is Kevin. Before my visit Kevin's father just had an operation, but he came to see me very next evening and brought Kevin to show, how much they appreciate my invention. Kevin started to play and tears came to my eyes: he couldn't play triads due to his decease, but they made him some device to do it and he played 'Rock Group' for my by James Bastien with help of Soft Mozart. It was one of the most wonderful momenta of my life!

I was trying to load a photo of Kevin playing, but couldn't. Here a link to see it:
-https://-https://www.softmozart.com/Site/discussion.php?discussion=108

[penguinlover]

Jay,
   I totally agree with you. Never give up.  I had a rewarding experience this week, not due to piano though.  Many years ago, our school district was considering cutting out the entire music program because of budget cuts.  As the only piano teacher in town, I went to bat with the Jr. High band director, and wrote letters to whomever needed to hear my point of view.  As a musician, I KNEW the importance of music, and how it would affect the students and the town.  Well, they didn't cut it, and they even  enlarged it.  I was  substituting at the middle school a few days ago, and got to hear a concert by the music department.  The band director has built the music program to two bands and two choirs.  I don't know how many students are participating, but it looked like many more than 100.  They all couldn't fit on the stage.  I just sat back and  smiled, and knew I had a part in that!

[hyrst]

These are wonderful and inspiring posts and really encouraging stories.  Thanks everytone :-)  This is precious.
Annah

[jpianoflorida]

These are wonderful and inspiring posts and really encouraging stories.  Thanks everytone :-)  This is precious.
Annah

how are you hyrst?    I haven't talked to you in a while. How are things, we miss you when you aren't posting. jay

[hyrst]

Thanks Jay 

[keyofc]

I love to read these stories too!
It makes me realize how much we identify with what we do than who we are sometimes.
It's really how we do what we do that makes all the difference.
   

[okietransplant]

I agree that we can't give up!  I believe God puts students in my studio for a reason.  Two years ago, I went through a really stressful time.  My dad was dying of cancer.  I was travelling as much as I could to try to relieve the burden of my mom.  My mother-in-law also had cancer and was receiving experimental treatment that was very awful.  On top of this, I had some very stressful issues with a teenage daughter and needed to spend more time with her.  I took a hard look at my studio.  This sounds terrible, but I picked the five students who drained me the most.  They were also ones that for the most part, I had taken on lately.  I dismissed them.  I cut back to relieve my stress.  For some, they have never rebounded and found another teacher they liked.  I did take one back this year (but he still stresses me!)

I know this all sounds depressing, but I came to realize that I play an important part in my students' lives.  I have to be well-balanced in order to give them what they need.  The smiles and successes keep me going.

[okietransplant]

Another smile in my day - this morning one of my students came all the way across the sanctuary after Christmas eve service (no small feat for a small child in a big church like ours) to give me a hug.  The extra effort  she gave reminded me not to give up!

[pianistimo]

this is very beautiful encouragement for both the students and piano teachers.  three years must be the 'magic number' for most students to start really processing everything, imo.  you know, the sightreading and all.  but, in between that time - i truly believe that gentleness and patience go a long way.  i've worked mostly with beginning and intermediate students- and this has been a few years now since i've taught - but it's mostly learning to connect wave-lengths.  to speak to them where they are at - and yet - bring them to your level by teaching them vocabulary so they understand what you are saying.  and, if you have a disabled child - to ask the parents a lot of questions.  sometimes it is just handholding - but that's ok, too - if they truly need it.  love seems to be a full circle.  what you give you get.