Teachers who eat during lessons

[quantum]

I'm not talking about having a bottle of water or cup of tea.  That's reasonable.  But teachers who have full meals and much down, while teaching. 

I've always thought eating while teaching is disrespectful to the student and more broadly to the teaching profession.  The student pays the teacher for his/her time and dedication.  The teacher should dedicate all this payed time focusing on the student. 

I remember having a teacher who in one lesson had a huge bowl of soup and a loaded plate of potatoes, vegetables and meat.  She devoured all of that during my lesson while trying to teach me how to play Bach with her mouth full at times.  Needless to say, she did not remain my teacher much longer after such unprofessional incident.

If a teacher needs to eat, that person should take a break to do so. 

[birba]

I would have reminded her that Beethoven refused to play while others were eating.
I'm flabbergasted.

[quantum]

I would have reminded her that Beethoven refused to play while others were eating.

I'd like to show this to other teachers.  Do you have source where I can pick it up?

[birba]

I've been googling all over for it, but I can't find it.  But it's one of those famous anecdotes of Beethoven's temperment.  He was insulted by the fact of playing while someone was eating a pastry or something.

[lostinidlewonder]

During your lesson with this teacher start eating something and play the piano in between your eating. Put what you eat on the piano keys where you wont be playing as well.

I've actually had lessons where the parents serve me coffee and then a selection of cakes! They encourage me to eat while teaching lol.

[timothy42b]

During your lesson with this teacher start eating something and play the piano in between your eating. Put what you eat on the piano keys where you wont be playing as well.

I would recommend either barbecued ribs or hot wings. 

Yumm! 

Makes glissandi easier, too. 

[quantum]

During your lesson with this teacher start eating something and play the piano in between your eating. Put what you eat on the piano keys where you wont be playing as well.

Great idea, I'll go with timothy42b's BBQ wings.     Condiments can go on the piano lid.   

[mike saville]

 
  Can you believe that a teacher would actually do that?

[quantum]

Can you believe a Registered Music Teacher actually did that.

[lostinidlewonder]

I am reminded of this episode of the Simpsons for some reason

 Homer: Well, yes, yes, to the untrained eye, I'm eating an orange,
          But to the eye that has brains, I'm making a point about
          marriage!  For you see, marriage is a lot like an orange.
          First, you have the skin...then the sweet, sweet innards...
          [devours it]
     Apu: I don't understand...?
   Willy: {If I wanted to see a man eat an orange, I would have taken
          the orange-eating class!

[go12_3]

I never eat anything during the lessons...it becomes too distracting!   

[starlight82]

Confession - I have 70+ students and sometimes I don't have a break to eat lunch (or, though rarely, dinner). I can't concentrate when I'm hungry plus I sometimes get dizzy\shaky if I don't eat.

  So yes, I have eaten during a lesson and will probably do so in the future. 

[go12_3]

Confession - I have 70+ students and sometimes I don't have a break to eat lunch (or, though rarely, dinner). I can't concentrate when I'm hungry plus I sometimes get dizzy\shaky if I don't eat.

  So yes, I have eaten during a lesson and will probably do so in the future. 

Well, taking the 70+ students into consideration....I don't have that many.  But, a quick snack will have to do between lessons though.

[quantum]

Confession - I have 70+ students and sometimes I don't have a break to eat lunch (or, though rarely, dinner). I can't concentrate when I'm hungry plus I sometimes get dizzy\shaky if I don't eat.

I think this is an issue that needs to be addressed.  A teacher should take time to attend to his/her personal health and nutrition.  I would say this time is a necessity, both for the teachers well being and his/her teaching activities. 

By taking on so many students such that a teacher is unable to attend to their own needs does not do the teacher nor the students any favors.  The body and the mind both need time for rejuvenation and nourishment.  Without such time, teaching effectiveness will eventually decline. 

[birba]

My question is whether these 70+ students (weekly, I'm assuming) are your private students, and therefore a choice of your own, or are they part of a school, and you're forced to teach this much.

[go12_3]

I'm beginning to wonder how can a teacher even teach that many 70+ unless at a school
or group lessons.  I know those are popular also.  But, anyhow, I wish I have more than
8 students now!   

[Bob]

If they were weekly 30 minute lessons, that's 35hr/week.  Either way, it sounds busy.

The most I've ever done was to drink a protein shake while working.  But that doesn't distract much.

[pianissimo123]

yea, my teacher is good. It was so funny b/c today my teacher's stomach was grumbling in class and I laughed so hard when she looked down and scolded it!!~

[fleetfingers]

Eating during lessons??? 

If you have multiple students in a row and you need a granola bar or something to keep you going, that's understandable...but if it were me, I would apologize to the student/parent, eat quickly, and get on with the lesson.

I can't imagine a teacher sitting back, relaxed, and enjoying a meal while the student is playing the piano. It just ain't right.

[pianist1976]

I had many years ago a teacher who read the newspaper while teaching. Of course, he never taught something worthy. Very disrespectful, to the pupil and to the profession. These people are a true shame

[birba]

What?!  And you paid him for that?  Or you didn't report him to the Dean?!

[pianist1976]

What?!  And you paid him for that?  Or you didn't report him to the Dean?!

I was twelve. But for the next grade I changed my teacher.

[pianoplayjl]

I didn't mind my teacher eating something in class. usually i'm too occuppied with my learning the pieces to even care.

[perfect_pitch]

The ONLY thing I have ever eaten in class, is a breath mint. That's it. I refuse to eat while teaching as it is disrespectful towards the student.

[pianoplayjl]

The ONLY thing I have ever eaten in class, is a breath mint. That's it. I refuse to eat while teaching as it is disrespectful towards the student.

So your breath smells? kidding!

I've never eaten anything in class as a student. I used to give some food to my teacher everytime he teaches me. 

[perfect_pitch]

So your breath smells?

Who the heck wants to small coffee breath? Or Pasta Salad breath? It's a small room that I teach from, in the school.

[Derek]

Great idea, I'll go with timothy42b's BBQ wings.     Condiments can go on the piano lid.   

I commission an improvisation about delicious bbq wings and condiments.

[pianowolfi]

I used to give some food to my teacher everytime he teaches me. 

Bribary, heh? 

[pianoplayjl]

My teacher occasionally comes to my house to teach. As a favour I would give my teacher something to eat. I never knew that eating would be that distracting and bad etiquette in piano lessons