Studio Management
30 day challenge ideas
A while back a few teachers have mentioned that they have done 30 day challenges with students. Practicing or a specific project for 30 straight days. I’d like to do this with our students in May and June as a way to keep students motivated…
Tardiness
How do you deal with lateness & tardiness ? I have a student who will show up 5, 10, sometimes even 15 minutes late. This last Friday he did a “no show”. So, I decided to write out a separate “policy” for this… due to…
Students Signing Agreements
Like at least some other teachers out there, I have a form in addition to the enrollment form that I ask people to sign when they enroll, expressing commitment/agreement to certain things. Also like at least some other teachers, I’ve had spots on those forms…
Student/Studio Communications
How do your communicate recitals, policies, vacations etc. to your parents? I send an average or 2-3 emails through constant contact a month, have a bulletin board with all upcoming dates and the current email that I sent. I also see parents in lessons and…
Sticking with Your Policies
I have a question – am I mean, or am I being taken advantage of, or is this simply ok? Group of 3 = mum and two girls, and a group of 1 = nana. Big sister broke away from group of 3, now takes…
Refund Policy
I’ve been teaching about 5 years and have just had my first request for a refund. In the past people have always stopped lessons at a natural break (month end or summer) or have quietly dropped an email or phone message explaining the need to…
Doing What I Ask
A few months ago, I instituted a policy acknowledgment form, which I require of all new enrollees, and which I will also require annually from all ongoing students. The forms asks students/coaches to review my current policies and sign indicating that they have reviewed them.…
Pace of Learning–Reading Rhythm & Notes
I need some help in responding to some concerns from a couple of student’s parents (who have been talking to each other, by the way)! These 2 students have had approximately 145 lessons. One student is right on target according to the curriculum overview, and…
Frustration with Group Lessons
I’d like to briefly introduce a slightly different perspective on the issue of parent frustration with shared lessons. I can think of another concern those parents may have. As well as the somewhat misguided concerns about students showing that they understand their new material, or…
More Benefits of Learning with Others
I teach mainly adults, and I teach them all in groups. I have two small groups of only 5 adults, but most of my groups have between 8 – 12 students in them. Having a background in teaching personal and professional development courses in groups,…