professional development

[pianowelsh]

Hi  teachers,

I want to know how much value you personally place on your professional development and what are some steps you take...regularly and one off, to ensure that you keep developing as a teacher and player.  Im particularly interested to know if any of you are still part-time studying for industry specific qualifications and the relative merits of them.

[danny elfboy]

Hi  teachers,

I want to know how much value you personally place on your professional development and what are some steps you take...regularly and one off, to ensure that you keep developing as a teacher and player.  Im particularly interested to know if any of you are still part-time studying for industry specific qualifications and the relative merits of them.

Just a thought
But I think the best way to develop as a teacher is observing your students problems and weakness. Learning shouldn't be a struggle. A dedicated effort of course but not a struggle
Since piano can be self-taught clearly the teacher role is not to be just a provider of informations which can be found elsewhere. I think the teacher is who makes sure that learning never become a struggle by pointing out to the right means for each individual and unique problems of different students. Hence when a student is struggling the teacher must find what works for him/her and that's where real professional development occurs

[cjp_piano]

It is VERY important.

I agree with danny: figuring out what works with each individual student contributes to the teachers' development; however, there is much more to it.

- attend conferences, workshops, meetings (this is an invaluable contribution to you as a teacher as you meet other teachers, talk about issues, collaborate on new ideas, hear from experienced pedagogues, etc.)

- become certified through MTNA or whatever your national organization

- become certified in other teaching methods/approaches, such as Suzuki, Dalcroze, Musikgarten, etc. . . This doesn't mean that you will ONLY teach this way, but it will definitely give you different perspectives and tools that you can use in your teaching

- have your students participate in evaluations, examinations

- find out how to get involved in being a judge, adjudicator at local events (or on a bigger scale, become a member of the College of Examiners for the Royal Conservatory of Music, Toronto)

- visit other teachers' studios, observe lessons, interview them, etc.

- give recitals (solo, or collaborative with other teachers: duets, duos, chamber music, etc.)

- even informal meetings with other teachers can be helpful.  Our local branch of the national organization (MTNA) holds meetings at various members' homes.  We play pieces for each other (motivates us to practice and keep playing/learning), we sight-read duets and duos together, get others' opinions on interpretation of pieces, etc.

There is MUCH more, these are just a few ideas.  I'm no expert, not a seasoned veteran here, I'm sure other people can give other ideas . . .

[pianowelsh]

Im told you have to be 30+ to be considered for being an ABRSM examiner - I presume they consider you inexperienced till your 30th birthday!?

[Bob]

I always keep studying out of interest.

The "official" professional development for public school teachers doesn't seem very worthwhile to me.  It seems more like sales -- selling credit for participation in something called "professional development."  Those classes and seminars seem like a waste of my time, but I'm stuck doing them because they're official.

My own stuff -- my own practicing, thinking, studying -- that is where I see true development.  And that will happen pretty naturally -- When I have time, those are the things I would end up doing.

But the official stuff I do just because I have to.  I see a whole market out there for selling attendance credit at those things.  It makes sad sense -- They make money on it, so they continue.  But that doesn't mean I get anything out of it.

[pianistimo]

besides taking lessons or music classes - you can peruse the bookstores of most college campuses and buy the current books and take them home and read and do the assignments.  you might not have a teacher for each textbook - *used ones are cheaper and in the back - but it keeps you busy.

basically, as i see it - whatever specialization in music you are becoming enamored with, you tend to spend more time on.  when i was younger - i really wanted to be good at teaching piano.  so, i joined MTNA to get more ideas.  also, i took more piano  lessons. 

sometimes life gets expensive, though, and you have to quit the extra stuff for a while.  during this time - just keep practicing, as bob says.  i think he's right about practice.  if you yourself are practicng, at least you can provide examples at the keyboard of what you expect your student to do.  always put yourself int he students shoes - and make it less of a struggle (as dannyelfboy and cjp say).  it's really not a burden to take piano lessons - but more of a relaxing, fun thing to do.  if you present it this way - it's not like there's a huge stress on your students.  i really tried, when teaching, to not get upset if someone didn't practice well one week.  everyone has a bad week.  why turn them off of piano by chewing them out.  we just went over the same stuff twice - and added a little bit more.  i think with patience - kids soon see that it's more and more fun.

now - i am really attempting a come-back with performance.  even if it is amateur performances at assisted living locations.  i found one place that has grand pianos everywhere.  my husband is a baritone singer - so we trade off when one or the other of us gets tired.

[cjp_piano]

Im told you have to be 30+ to be considered for being an ABRSM examiner - I presume they consider you inexperienced till your 30th birthday!?

I was talking about RCME/RACE examinations

https://www.rcmexaminations.org/

https://www.royalamericanconservatory.org/

[pianowelsh]

I see. Thanks for the links.

[stevehopwood]

I have improved my own playing throughout my career. The insights I have gained from this I have passed on to my own pupils. For a while, I even pursued an active solo performing career.

Nowadays I perform mostly as an accompanist. Not solely - I have a midday solo recital in a few weeks. Remaining fresh and enthusiastic as a player has facilitated enthusiastic teaching throughout.

My latest project is learning to transpose quickly and easily. That is a challenge. 

Steve 

[keyofc]

I keep taking lessons - learning new methods

I'm always buying a new theory book to study.

Of course, I play every chance I get at a concert or workshop.

That is a good motivator.

[pianowelsh]

Let me know how the transposition thing goes steve.. Thats something im committed to improving in my own playing too. Im considering taking an accompanying diploma and its compulsary to sightread a song transposed up or down a third 4th or 2nd for that. So any tips you have would be great to hear from you.