How to prevent students from leaving you

[pianoplayjl]

Hey guys,  I'm not even a teacher but I just wanna know have you guys ever prevented your students from dropping out of your studios? And how?

Right now we are in an uncomfortable situation where we have to reschedule our lessons to a Wednesday and Mum is contemplating finding another teacher who is closer to our area. Besides, there are heaps of teachers in our area. But, my teacher carried me to 7 straight results that made me so happy I don't want to leave the teacher's studio. So, I'm just wandering what tactics you guys have. Is it even good to prevent a studnet leaving your studio? Just curious....

JL

[quantum]

If you are happy with your present teacher, I would urge you to continue studies with him/her.  Scheduling is only a minor annoyance when compared to the hassle of looking for another good teacher that works well with your learning.  What is the point of convenience if a more local teacher cannot offer the level of education that you require?  

One of my past teachers wanted to schedule my weekly lesson mid afternoon on Saturdays.  It took one hour of travel to reach her studio and meant that a good chunk of my weekend was taken up.  All of that did not matter as the exceptional teaching made the effort time well spent.  

[Bob]

Some kind of wrist restraints maybe?

Good teaching.

Adapting to what the student wants.  To some extent, always, but if a teacher really wants to keep a student and is willing to bend over backwards for them... That's not always worth it though -- A teacher might have to always do that and have that expected.

Otherwise you really can't force student to stay.  And if you can -- if music is a requirement -- than you end up with students who don't want to be there.

[keypeg]

I have the feeling that the person who is asking is also the student, and doesn't want to leave the teacher, but that the parent wants to change teachers because of transportation (distance).  Did I read this wrong?

[mcdiddy1]

Good teaching will always keep students coming back for more. I have had many instances where students come based on word of mouth and even some students who leave return which is always the best  feeling in my opinion.

That being said when you go in to teaching you should go in understanding at some point your student is going to have to leave you to get better. Nobody knows everything and you cannot teach what you do not know.No matter who you are there is someone who can give a student a different experience and it maybe good or bad for the student but they will never really know until they go. Also some people will not be your student simply based on your your gender or some perceived stereotype or personal reasons that are not always logical. You have to have a hard shell as a teacher and not take it personal and reflect constantly to improve your teaching.

I think the best thing you can do is be the best teacher you can be, learn how to work well with students, and connect with them on a personal basis. If your foundation is based on honesty, passion, detication, and keeping the best interest of the students in mind then you will do well. Even with all of that, students will have to quit for personal reason that are beyond your control and you as the teacher have to accept that and not get to emotionally attached even though it is very easy to do.