Simpedia

Carol W., California

HI Francine, a few words of encouragement. This can work for you, but you have to make it work FOR YOU!!! In my first year I am keeping my student load really light–not more than 5 students. This gives plenty of time to practice my material as a student, (I am learning simply music). Then a couple of hours on the TT Materials and notes together, refining and honing….this gives me plenty of breathing time. The learning curve is steep, I feel as a new teacher. We are not just setting the music in front of the student.

I had to look ahead and realize i am in school, so to speak. Also, I kept those 5 students as privates so I can teach each level over and over, but of course if you have 2 or 3 people together in a group that allows you more money for the same time. I do not take on a new student that doesn’t fit into my schedule, and I do not crawl onto the hamster wheel of teaching, which is really tempting, but in this culture it is so much about more, more, more and I want more time for me.

You have a part time job, so you can take it easy at first while you learn….give it time, you are learning a new trade. The night before I teach, I look at the last week’s notes I made after each student; each class has a page with the headings: foundation piece, review, variations, accomp and other just one page with those headings across the top the name of the students(each student or group has it’s own page) with the time they meet. I look at last weeks notes and make a 3×5 card for each class , noting what I will review and teach next day. I  sit and watch the corresponding videos. Then of course, after the class, I note again on the master list what I have done, so I can refer to it next week. I also call other teachers in the area and ask questions. I go watch other teachers teach too. The Forum is great.

It really does get easier and easier, but like I said, I take it really slowly this first year. My students are having lots of fun and let me know they appreciate me. If I get too stressed, I will get overwhelmed and that doesn’t work for me. I am quite sure this is like hitting the lottery in a way. I get paid to play and will for the rest of my life! Once I have it down, I can s l o w l y expand my student load as it works for me.  Now it is getting to be so much fun and I just love it! I hope any of that can help you.

Victoria S., California

One possible, simple, and creative answer is to trade teaching one of those adults for being a part time nanny to your child, or maybe a mature teen. Just ask around. Someone will be very grateful for the opportunity.

Definitely stay with your dream. It is much easier to follow your dream job and be your own boss and be able to be creative with it, than to be tied to a job with someone else’s rules. You will grow so much from this creative leap and love what you create. Perhaps your son would like to be sharing one of those class spots when you are teaching with another student – like his part time nanny, (or not).

You have the world by a string. Don’t cut the string. Just unravel it from the ball a little further so you can swing. And keep your questions coming. Someone will have an answer you resonate with sooner or later. Say, how about finding another single mom or Simply Music Teacher (already teaching or soon to teach) and sharing/trading child care with that SM teacher. Then you both have back ups.

The ideas are endless. Sometimes you have to climb a precarious cliff to get the awesome view at the top. It’s worth the climb. And don’t forget, ask God to send some help. He can see an even better view than any of us can imagine.

Beth S., Tennessee

Here are a couple of thoughts and ideas:

1. I used to have marathon piano days during which I taught back-to-back lessons for quite a few hours. I wanted to get my work done and have the rest of the week free. I have found now, however, (despite having to vacuum more often!) that it works better for my energy levels and the restlessness of my children to spread the lessons out in smaller increments over more days. Instead of teaching 2.5 hours straight for only 2 days, could you instead teach one hour an afternoon for all five days? Or could you teach an hour, take an hour break, then a half hour more, etc.? Most every kid will willingly take a break from Mom for an hour or so. Maybe you could plan ahead to make that time a special time he does some anticipated activity alone…book on CD, special TV program, etc.
2. I wonder also if you could make your child a “business partner” or “stock holder.” In other words, make him feel like he is a part of your business in the way that he conducts himself while you’re teaching so as to enable you to do so. With some creativity, this idea could be turned into a full-fledged game of some sort. He could be an “investor” and receive “returns” for helping you be productive. Maybe silly, but just an idea and cheaper than a babysitter.
3. As far as food goes, that could all be resolved with proper planning. It sounds like I’m an authority here, but actually I am preaching to myself on this one. My kids do the same thing, but if I take time to prepare ahead (which I wish I would do more regularly!), it helps immensely. Taking time out on the weekend to get good things available during the week makes everyone happy. Or, since your child is in school all day, how much more could you prepare things for him to eat during the time you’re teaching. I find that if kids have plenty to eat, they will usually cooperate in most other areas.
4. I know of some teachers who offer a discount on lessons if students will come before after-school hours. Also, some teachers market lessons to adults during lunch hours, etc. Others are offering classes in schools. Or how about retirement centers? There just have to be some kind of during-the-day options available.
5. As far as learning everything, I never learn more than what I need. It takes a very small amount of time each week to only learn the new material for that week.
6.  You are starting a new business. You are self-employed. I think it helps to begin with the expectation that this is no easy or trivial thing. Most people don’t have the self-discipline to rule themselves in a business and to be owner, manager, employee, janitor, etc. all at once. Also, most small businesses take a long time, maybe a year or more, before they become profitable. It is a given that in the beginning there is a great — no, huge — expenditure of time, energy, emotions, etc. to get the thing up and running. If you look at it that way, then you will see that in comparison, what you’re doing is really pretty easy.Also, while you’re not there yet, I can promise you that over time, you will get so good at doing the old levels that you won’t ever think about preparation and you’ll just sail into your class and teach it. I am currently teaching Level 7, and so I am feeling a bit of what you’re feeling but in Level 7. Everything up to that point is now a piece of cake. I can’t wait til I’ve finished all the levels and then have the whole program mastered. Until then, however, everything you’re learning is an investment in the future of your business. At some point, like any other successful business, it will almost run itself, but for the moment, it is hard and there’s no way out of that, especially if you’re working elsewhere in addition.

Think of it like running a restaurant. In the beginning, you’d have to decide your menu, master the cooking of the dishes, set up your kitchen, groceries, finances, then you’d have to market and advertise, as well as get a rhythm going in the cooking and service once people did come. It would be a huge project. In the beginning it would be a pain and a headache and it wouldn’t happen overnight, there would be countless mistakes and trial and error and many late nights. But once you got it all figured out, it would just run like clockwork. You’d have established a flow that would carry itself. In this business, it’s really easier than the one I just imagined. The menu is already planned, the dishes have already been tried and tested. You just have to learn how to cook them, one dish at a time, and get a flow in delivery. In time it will come.

I think the dream is doable if 1) it really is your passion and dream and 2) you’re committed to the temporary discomfort of getting the dream to reality.

Susan J., Washington

Don’t forget to take taxes into consideration. If you are working a “regular” job on top of teaching, take fewer deductions to compensate for your home business income. If you are a full time home business, be sure to make some plans for paying the taxes on your income. If you have to pay a big amount at the end of the tax year, you could be charged a fee for not paying ahead.

Carrie L., Michigan

As a mom with a 3 year old.. I can relate with how challenging it can be to have a child and teach. However, I think SM is the best job I could possibly have for our family.

I’d suggest that if you can get past the 1st year or so.. it will be so much easier when the main training is done.  I’d recommend getting a sitter and teaching a long block of time one day a week.

Annette L., Utah

I hear you! I am a 62-year old grandma now, but I know about single-parenting, time constraints, money constraints, exhaustion, and the self-questioning that come with those challenges because I have dealt with them (and am still dealing with some of them!) I have been teaching Simply Music about the same length of time you have, and I am working 2 other jobs to try to make ends meet, and it’s tough.

Here are some things that have helped me. Each evening I make a list of the things that must be done the next day and prioritize them. Then I tackle them one at a time in the morning when I am feeling most perky. Many times I do not get to the end of the list, but crossing some off makes me feel better! On the days that I teach, preparing for the lessons of that day is right near the top of the list, and learning new songs myself comes next. Even when I have worked other jobs and am very tired, teaching SM gives me a boost. Stick to your dream! You may have to be patient in the full flowering of that dream, but you are paving your future with your dreams and blessing the lives of those you teach.

Trading services as suggested by Victoria sounds like the best option for your little guy. An enthusiastic teen or adult that will do rewarding things with him can make him look forward to your teaching days. Perhaps you can tap into the home-school scene for daytime students. It is difficult to teach your own children, but if you included him in a class, he might enjoy the social stimulation and challenge.

I certainly don’t have all the answers for you, for only you can search them out; but your Heavenly Father wants you to succeed in life and will help you see the ways to do that if you ask with faith. Meanwhile, as long as you do your best each day, you are succeeding! I’ll be shooting off some “arrow prayers” for you!

Sue C., Australia

Here is a suggestion to help you develop a long term way of managing teaching: Could you teach one afternoon or morning a week during school hours (requiring students to be available during school hours)? Also allow a few hours per week in another time slot during school hours (or at night when children are asleep) when you can study for the lessons. I see you already have students, but any new ones could be offered the times that suit you only.

This way SM is fitting in with your schedule. As a new teacher I found it was easy for me to become tense and of course the more lessons I taught I became more relaxed in relating to people. If you are worrying about your boy during the lessons, it will not be easy for you.

Taking things slowly for a start may help and you could stick with your job until you feel more confident and at ease.  Later on when you are feeling great, who knows, children from your son’s
school friends may enroll and he could learn in a shared lesson with one of them. (Also a question for teachers is: Is it OK to have your own child/children/grandchild quietly playing in the same room the lesson is held? I would like to know this for myself?)

Sue K.

You sound like you really are struggling. Good on you for keeping with it so far.

Regarding lesson planning, as soon as my students leave, I quickly jot down the notes for next week – Review, foundation, arrangements, accompaniment, C&I and any notes to remember.  This is in a word or two per heading. Really quick but it is all I need for the next lesson.

Learning the teacher material, keep ahead of your students at the same rate. If your fastest student is learning 1 song per week, that is the rate you need to go, also.

Keep your playlist as the students do, 20 minutes a day 4-5 times per week. (Even in a couple of chunks, if necessary) Far better than a number of hours per week. This can seem so daunting.

Work on one arrangement a week, also. Treat yourself as a student. A little of everything.

Book work – is this ordering, keeping track of fees, etc? I was charging per month which has to be remembered and done. I have recently changed to by the term which has reduced the invoicing, banking, record keeping, etc.  Is your book work computerized? Could this make a difference?

I have a sticker on my reference book 2 songs from the end to remind me to order for the next level. Keep a note book by your piano to quickly jot down any thoughts or actions to be done by you for the next week.

Can your son be part of one of the lessons? And then you can play the duets with him as you learn them.

Are you teaching your students in classes or private? The thought of teaching a group can be daunting, but the same amount of work goes into teaching a number as it does 1 private student. They are fun, also.

Is there a chance of cooking double sized meals, putting it in the freezer for work nights? Thursday nights are our Mexican nights as it is so easy to prepare.

Can you look for your students in a different area? Try retirement homes – not nursing homes – golf clubs, retirement publications, etc. The retirees have pots of time, unrealised dreams and frequently plenty of money. Homeschoolers, trying to get the elusive daytime students.

It is very easy to use your time on activities which seem important but have no benefit to you whatsoever. Is there any of this happening? Facebook, e-mails and all that sort of thing really use up the time. I would suggest you limit your time on these.

It does get easier as you get more organized. The key is in planning and only doing what will serve you and your goals. A great book to help you here – if you have time – is Steven Covey’s “First things first”. Well worth the time and effort.

Hope some of this helps, keep at it.

Kristina H., Australia

Francine, this is absolutely the best job with children. I have three children of varying ages this works in well with my family. On the days I work, I have a routine. I always do my prep and prior learning whilst the children are at school. I stick to a plan with an outcome and a time limit.

I am in the habit of writing all my notes, receipts and even prep notes either in the lesson or after (I have left a small amount of time between lessons for this). The paperwork that Simply Music provides is great and it really works. I always keep my diary handy to make notes and write out instructions and reminders for myself as I go.

I have made my children teaching assistants. I bought them the SM T-shirts and have made lanyards with their work titles on it. When their uniform goes on, they are in work mode. I set them some tasks for the time I am teaching, this includes homework and chores. The tasks are easily achievable so that when they finish them they can do something they would like. I set out snacks so they don’t raid the fridge. At the end of the working period, I check their work, praise them, and they get paid a small
fee.

I have also got in the habit of making dinner in the slow cooker. I can do it in the morning, and it is ready as soon as I am finished teaching. Dinner is served, no lag time, and then I can spend that time with my children checking over homework etc.

These are some of the things I have worked out. Hope it gives you some ideas. If anyone else has other ideas, I could do with as many time saving tips as I can get.