Claiming Territory
Parent correcting student during lesson
I have a “territory” parent situation I haven’t encountered before and would like to ask for some specific guidance on how to deal with this. The student is 8 and in a private lesson. She is lovely, eager to learn, and compliant from my perspective.…
Webinar Series: 10/24/2017 – Piano – Developing Strong Communication Skills
Neil discusses some the components of powerful communication in this webinar. Learn how you can ensure that your studio requirements are clearly understood and met by your students and coaches, thus maximizing your success as a teacher and your students’ success with their lessons. Topics…
Webinar Series: 08/10/2017 – Piano – Long-Term Relationship Conversation
In this webinar Neil talks about the Long-Term Relationship Conversation and its importance in and out of the class room. Topics include: Critical Nature of the Long-Term Relationship Conversation (00:00) “Something’s Wrong” Mindset (03:00) The Design of Upset (05:45) Parents/Coaches Who “Don’t Get It” (13:34)…
Non-compliant teenagers
I’m going to be real. I feel like firing two teenage students that never do what they’re told despite both parent and method coach enforcement every single week. Mom’s committed. We have had the talk for a couple months and I’m on my last rope.…
Non-compliant student
I have a student who comes with his grandmother as coach. She pays for his lessons, but he lives with mom and stepdad. Mom was coming as coach at first, but now it’s grandma. At first this worked fine, and he was making progress. Lately…
Teacher burnout
I’m in a valley, that’s for sure. I’m tired of starting work at 5pm while everyone else is starting to prepare their dinner. And I’m tired of talking to the students constantly about their playlists, tired of hearing them say they practice all their songs…
License Agreement question regarding photos
I know that it is against our license agreement to have video of us teaching. A parent asked me yesterday to take a photo of my hand on the D minor chord in Honey Dew, and I told her it’s against my license agreement. I…
Webinar Series: 07/27/2017 – Piano – Claiming Territory
In this webinar Neil talks about one of the three critical foundational conversations – Claiming Territory, and answers some common questions from teachers about establishing and regaining territory in lessons. Topics include: Where Most Studio Issues Originate (00:08) Understanding ‘Claiming Territory’ & Boundaries (05:22) Allowing…
Coaches not purchasing SHMs
How do I deal with this? I have a group of two boys in Foundation 2. I’ve asked the life coaches to purchase Accompaniment 1, several weeks in a row. Each week they come back and haven’t gotten it yet. Now they’ll soon be purchasing…
Claiming territory in lesson pace
What would you do if a parent doesn’t want you to teach new assignments to the group because her child doesn’t really practice, but the other student is very ready to move on and does practice? They prefer a group lesson. I feel that I…