Students
Webinar Series: 09/27/2017 – Gateway – Behavior Issues: Dealing with the Student & Parent
Working with students who have profound processing differences requires a different mindset in order to achieve a successful outcome. This webinar dives into this simple yet crucial difference and addresses some very common concerns about working with special needs students. Topics include: About the Gateway…
Student quit after one month – parent not on board
I am disappointed to have a student stop lessons after one month. She is 9 years old and came in with several years of traditional lesson experience. My sense was that her mother was positive about SM and letting her start at Level 1, but…
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)…
Coaching students through Level 4 valley
I am seeing a pattern of students growing restless in Level 4 and at the beginning of the reading process. This is usually around two years into lessons, and seems to coincide with students entering middle school. I feel sad to see them give up…
Coaching parents through valleys
One of my students (11 years old) has been in a valley and I recognized at least one area where the mom could be more supportive. So I called the mother about the relationship conversation. After a fruitful 10-15 minute phone conversation, the mother told…
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…
Successful student stories
I’d like to share a few student stories with you. These are inspiring to me as a teacher; I hope you find some inspiration there too. I taught Josh for about 6 years before he discontinued about 4 years ago. He got through Level 8…
Growing adult student population
Some folks asked me to share about growing your adult student population. Here are a few things that have worked for me. 1) Deciding that’s what I wanted. Yes, I have turned down requests for teaching children. I adore kids, but at this point in…