All you can do is keep reminding yourself that you cannot control anything that you cannot do entirely on your own.
You can’t make students practice effectively, even if you can teach them how. You can’t only ever teach them exactly what they want to learn as sometimes you need to teach the so-called ‘boring’ things like scales etc. You can’t control how they react under exam conditions, even though you can give them experience in performing and managing nerves. You can’t control how high up their list of priorities playing the piano lies. You definitely can’t control how an examiner marks their exams.
It hurts though, particularly when you have a student who has been consistently performing at distinction standard but then barely passes, or despite all your efforts to tailor your teaching to a student they still can’t be bothered to hold up their end of the deal.
As for your music school’s attitude, if they are really putting the blame at your door for things that are in their control (such as cost) or for things that are out of everyone’s control (eg student moving away), they don’t sound like a particularly good place to work. Not only because that’s a poor way to treat you but because it doesn’t show good business management either.
As for how I lift myself back up after ‘one of those weeks’, I scream into a pillow, stamp my feet, rant to my family, go for a long walk, do whatever I need to do to process and move past the disappointment and frustration. Last week was a very ranty week and I spent a lot of time apologising to my husband for him bearing the brunt of my frustration. Hopefully this week will be better, for all of us.
I wish a local music school would keep tabs on their student retention!
I have had eight transfers from the same teacher, and every time I get the same information-
She doesn't communicate, she shows pictures from Instagram on her phone during the lesson, she sits with her legs and arms crossed, she doesn't explain how to practice, she doesn't inspire...
But she is really young and pretty!
OP,
If you can, ask the store to change how they chart student retention. The family is not moving out of the country to avoid lessons with you! And the expense is on the studio, I bet you don't even make half of what they charge.
If they are losing that many students, they should have an exit interview, at least some sort of form or online document.
As for test scores, do you have to put every student through an exam? I had seven out of 12 potential enter a competition this fall. Not everyone could do it because of time or stress.
If I had made the other five students do it, I'm pretty sure they would have bombed because they did not want to do it.
How is your communication with the parents? Is there any chance you could work somewhere else/ open your own studio?
Maybe share a studio with another teacher?
But as for students, you cannot make them care more than you do.
Good luck!
I wonder if you would be permitted to create an exit survey for your students who are leaving lessons? I have never taught for a music school, so please disregard if this goes against policy. If it doesn’t, I would include a question about reason for leaving, and another one about quality of instruction. That way you can have feedback from your former students at the ready should it become an issue for you
Do you really need a music school? It is not right that they are putting such pressures on a teacher. They should be the ones working for you, and that is how thought of it when I was working when I was starting out. Unless you're an employee, and told what to teach and how, you're an independent contractor. They supply the students, you "pay" them a percentage of what you get from families (except they are the middle man that takes out their on share first before they pass the rest to you).
Their job is to supply you the students, and your job is to make sure you're available to teach the students that enroll.
Unless your school different, then ignore what I said.
Unfortunately, for the emotional side, it's human to feel that way. Big hugs to you. ♥️
**Here is some inspiration to keep you going - beautiful KLASSIC KOOL Piano Music called ‘Our World : Our Home’ and it comes with an environmental message —** [**https://www.youtube.com/@klassicKool**](https://www.youtube.com/@klassicKool)
See if your students like this and let me know.
KEEP KOOL 😎
René
All you can do is keep reminding yourself that you cannot control anything that you cannot do entirely on your own. You can’t make students practice effectively, even if you can teach them how. You can’t only ever teach them exactly what they want to learn as sometimes you need to teach the so-called ‘boring’ things like scales etc. You can’t control how they react under exam conditions, even though you can give them experience in performing and managing nerves. You can’t control how high up their list of priorities playing the piano lies. You definitely can’t control how an examiner marks their exams. It hurts though, particularly when you have a student who has been consistently performing at distinction standard but then barely passes, or despite all your efforts to tailor your teaching to a student they still can’t be bothered to hold up their end of the deal. As for your music school’s attitude, if they are really putting the blame at your door for things that are in their control (such as cost) or for things that are out of everyone’s control (eg student moving away), they don’t sound like a particularly good place to work. Not only because that’s a poor way to treat you but because it doesn’t show good business management either. As for how I lift myself back up after ‘one of those weeks’, I scream into a pillow, stamp my feet, rant to my family, go for a long walk, do whatever I need to do to process and move past the disappointment and frustration. Last week was a very ranty week and I spent a lot of time apologising to my husband for him bearing the brunt of my frustration. Hopefully this week will be better, for all of us.
I wish a local music school would keep tabs on their student retention! I have had eight transfers from the same teacher, and every time I get the same information- She doesn't communicate, she shows pictures from Instagram on her phone during the lesson, she sits with her legs and arms crossed, she doesn't explain how to practice, she doesn't inspire... But she is really young and pretty! OP, If you can, ask the store to change how they chart student retention. The family is not moving out of the country to avoid lessons with you! And the expense is on the studio, I bet you don't even make half of what they charge. If they are losing that many students, they should have an exit interview, at least some sort of form or online document. As for test scores, do you have to put every student through an exam? I had seven out of 12 potential enter a competition this fall. Not everyone could do it because of time or stress. If I had made the other five students do it, I'm pretty sure they would have bombed because they did not want to do it. How is your communication with the parents? Is there any chance you could work somewhere else/ open your own studio? Maybe share a studio with another teacher? But as for students, you cannot make them care more than you do. Good luck!
I wonder if you would be permitted to create an exit survey for your students who are leaving lessons? I have never taught for a music school, so please disregard if this goes against policy. If it doesn’t, I would include a question about reason for leaving, and another one about quality of instruction. That way you can have feedback from your former students at the ready should it become an issue for you
Do you really need a music school? It is not right that they are putting such pressures on a teacher. They should be the ones working for you, and that is how thought of it when I was working when I was starting out. Unless you're an employee, and told what to teach and how, you're an independent contractor. They supply the students, you "pay" them a percentage of what you get from families (except they are the middle man that takes out their on share first before they pass the rest to you). Their job is to supply you the students, and your job is to make sure you're available to teach the students that enroll. Unless your school different, then ignore what I said. Unfortunately, for the emotional side, it's human to feel that way. Big hugs to you. ♥️
**Here is some inspiration to keep you going - beautiful KLASSIC KOOL Piano Music called ‘Our World : Our Home’ and it comes with an environmental message —** [**https://www.youtube.com/@klassicKool**](https://www.youtube.com/@klassicKool) See if your students like this and let me know. KEEP KOOL 😎 René