What are some of the most helpful things a teacher has done for you ?

[m1469]

I was thinking about this today from the perspective of having been a student, but I think it's also very informative for me as a teacher to hear from others what these things are for you.

So, I realized that one of the most helpful things my teacher in Uni did for me was that he really, really listened to me when I spoke.  And, it was a dramatic influence on me because suddenly I felt like what I said mattered, and that helped to bring me out of my shell. 

I realize that sometimes as a teacher, I am too quick to speak and would like to do more listening (of course, I guess some of that depends on the level that the student is at).


m1469

[amelialw]

My teacher really opened up to me after I got to know her for about 2 years and she said she wanted to be able to understand. The 1st & a half years after I moved to canada was really hard, I had to rework all of my teachnique except my appegios and my fingering as well as my singapore teacher did nothing about all of that. I have relatives who don't support my career and when I told my teacher that she said to never take those things to heart and prove them all wrong!

[Bob]

Advice.  Direction.  Realization in what's possible.

Motivation too.  I had one that good at motivating me in a positive way. 

Answering questions or at least listening to me discuss them.  The internet takes place of that use of the lesson time though.

The direction to go an do something.  Sometimes I thinking "Should I do this?  Shouldn't I?  How much will it cost?  Where's the best place to buy?, etc. " (Then I realize I'm shoulding all over myself....)    But a teacher, the lesson deadline, gives that pressure to make things happen by a certain deadline.