Simpedia

Elaine F., South Carolina

A tiny piece of the picture about homeschooling:

I have one family whose daughter is studying with me. They are part of a playgroup of homeschoolers who are all very interested in SM, BUT the others are all missionaries and part of their job and their worldview is to raise money for their mission trips. My student’s mom says it is really hard for them to justify spending money on their own kid’s extra curricular activities.

Tami D., Indiana

I don’t know if I can say anything that would help, but I have homeschooled since 1991. I would consider myself one of those who seem ‘secluded’. But that’s just me. There are secluded people in all groups of people I think. Simply Music has been a wonderful opportunity for me to venture out of my shell.

Interestingly, I found Simply Music in an ad in a homeschool magazine and also through a discussion in a homeschool email group. From what I remember, it seems that some were skeptical for one reason or another.

Anyway, from my little corner of the world, some homeschoolers are just do it “yourselfers”. That’s why I am teaching and not taking my kids to someone else for them to learn piano. We spend a varying amount of money on basic curriculum (the 3 r’s) and an unending list of “electives.” So there is just so much out there to choose from and we have to pick and choose our resources from the wide variety that’s out there. I am so glad I happened upon a Jewel, SM. But that was to become a SM teacher, not a parent of students that went to a SM teacher. The amount of time and money to do that would have seemed overwhelming to me. Homeschoolers are VERY busy.

I am IN the homeschooling community and I’m not very successful in getting students from there.

Beth S., Tennessee

While I don’t know what other homeschoolers are thinking, I, as a homeschool mom, am usually wary and skeptical of new programs. I have been on the homeschool journey for about 10 years and am more cautious now than I was at the beginning. When I started out, our local homeschool fair was one of the highlights of my year, but less so now. It is so often full of vendors who are out just to make money on naive moms with cheap products. In the end, it is not unlike any other business — it takes a lot of sifting through to find what’s any good. I’ve come to that conclusion after a lot of trial and error, spending lots of money on homemade, spiraled, photocopied junk that promised big things but didn’t deliver. In the end, I, as well as other veteran homeschool moms I know, usually reach for the product that has been around for a long time, been proven, is reliable, etc. It took us a while to figure that out, but that’s where we are now, and so there is a high level of suspicion before a new program even has time to explain itself. You can see how this attitude would be much more prevalent amongst homeschoolers than private/public school parents. In those scenarios, curriculum choices are already made for them; there is no assessing to be done. There is a greater trust in the establishment to make decisions. After all, that is often why they outsource education — so someone else will do it. As a homeschooler, every choice is up to the parent to make, and they don’t want to get ripped off or manipulated, because there is a lot of that out there — people using homeschoolers to make money.

As a SM teacher, I have found the same reception towards SM as I myself have towards new products. When I started out, I won over maybe one. But as the years go by and I maintain a presence at the fair, I have acquired more each year. I think this scenario will only improve as SM becomes older and more well-known.

Terah W., Kansas

I don’t know if this will be any help, but I am a homeschooling mom of 20+ years and three children. My oldest is married; a college grad with a couple of interesting degrees considering my first love is music—E. engineering and physics. I have a daughter who graduates from high school in May and a son who will be a sophomore next year. The latter 2 are both my SM students (guinea pigs:) and are doing well. My first one is a bit jealous:) saying I never taught her to play (not true). She was actually pretty good though SM would have been much more profitable for her. I am now seeing the light at the end of the homeschool tunnel and thankfully SM has come into my life. This is just a little background for framework.

I have given this question I keep hearing on here about homeschooling and the Community of homeschoolers (HSr’s) some thought and maybe I can give a little insight. I know there are other homeschoolers that are teachers, too, so I welcome additional comments. But here is what I have discovered over the years. HSr’s can be–indeed, almost have to be!–notoriously independent. For one thing, deciding to HS is a lot like deciding to become a parent. You really have little to no clue about what you are getting yourself into. It is not a side-job or a part-time job, or an after-thought. It is a lifestyle. And sometimes you don’t realize that for years. Along the way, you have to be careful with relatives that think you are crazy, you have to defend what you are doing when asked and you have to be polite about it even when you are wondering what on earth made you make this decision. You end up learning more than you ever wanted to know about the Law of the Land where education is concerned because the second most common question asked a HSr is, “Is it legal?” (Guess what the first is?) Many times you end up defending a right to educate your own to folks who don’t even know that right is protected in original documents that our country was founded on. Also along the way, some of them have decided to have very large families and have more fortitude and conviction about what they are doing than most folks ever think to have. I’m only trying to speak a little on their behalf here because a couple of folks have addressed it. I think many of them get so used to being ‘careful’ so as to not have any ‘legal issues’ that maybe in the rush of the busy lifestyle it creates, they just find the years going by with their noses to the grindstone and not looking up. Sort of like a lot of people do.

I actually learned of SM from a HS mom whose children I was teaching (traditional) at the time. When I found Ray N., who sort of mentored me into it, it was at a Homeschool Conference at a booth. All my students transitioned with me to SM and are all HS’d. Interestingly enough, the first phone call I received from someone looking into SM and who interrogated me thoroughly, I might add, could hardly be convinced that SM was Not a “HS thing”. Though I am pretty certain she was looking for a reason dismiss SM to begin with, she was concerned about her kids taking lessons with kids who were HS’d for some pretty strange reasons. I was friendly and informative and even now think I did a pretty fair job for a newbie:) My point is, that even HSr’s are individuals, usually people of great conviction. I don’t think it is quite fair or accurate to say or think they are not open to alternative ways of learning. Almost everything they do is upstream and counter to something. Maybe, like I was, it never occurs to them to check into learning piano a new way because they know someone that the ‘old’ way worked fine for. And they still believe that ‘some folks just aren’t musical’.

My suggestion is simple. Be open, be reasonable, and be kind. If you love children and teaching them, it will show and this matters to these people. And don’t judge the many because of the few. I think doing a booth at a conference/fair (which are usually in the spring and yearly) is probably the best way to get a foot in the door. You can usually go as a vendor in the exhibition hall part. We are doing a booth at the KC Conference this year with a keyboard in the stall so our students can come by and play–or anyone else for that matter. I’ll try to write again and tell you what we decided worked best and what we would do different next time as well as how many students we glean from this time around. By the way, there are at least 3 of the 8-9 teachers helping with the conference who are HS parents.

I also think that the word is spreading Kerry, and SM is poised for an awakening of sorts in the homeschool community. It’ll catch; hang in there! I hope this isn’t too long and helps.

Ian M., Indiana

I’m going to suggest that there may be significant differences between homeschoolers in the U.S. and homeschoolers in Australia.

It *may* be that the insular nature of the homeschoolers you’ve encountered, Kerry, is related to their take on how they are perceived by others. I’ve done a little reading about homeschooling in the U.S., and I have the impression that even as recently as 25 years ago, many more homeschoolers were in the same kind of camp as the ones you’re describing. However, I think that in the last 20 years, homeschooling has gained more acceptance and legitimacy (not that I’ve ever doubted its legitimacy!) both from the government and the public, and as a result, people are more open about what they’re doing. Of course, it may be something else entirely.

Carrie L., Michigan

Being an adult that was homeschooled (for most of my schooling years), I would agree with those that said that homeschooling 20 years ago was very different than now, but I’m sure it’s also different in different areas. My area is FULL of homeschoolers…with every sort of activity for homeschoolers that you can imagine!

I think to a non-homeschooler what tends to look secretive and exclusive and wary… is to a homeschool a sense of caution; I can do it myself…independence and establishing a sense of trust.

Homeschoolers are going against the flow and are faced at times with lots of criticism and from the non-homeschoolers. I think because of that, perhaps homeschoolers are more wary than others. I do think though that homeschoolers once they feel comfortable with a teacher will be very loyal and great students!

I’m starting to join the homeschool groups in my area and research as we’re going to homeschool our son who is now 3 years old. Developing relationships with homeschoolers is the key to getting into the homeschool community!

I’ve found many varying types of homeschoolers and differing levels or interest or openness as well.

It was also suggested to me by a homeschool family to offer substantial homeschool discounts for siblings as many homeschool families have multiple kids.

The Metro Detroit teachers did a group effort to the homeschool online forums just recently… Buy one get one free… siblings free. Or a friend could sign up for just the price of the workshop and Student Home Materials. It’s for 4 weeks. I will be starting one family from this this week and my understanding is at least one other teacher has been contacted too. Continual marketing though for homeschoolers and relationship building I think is key.

I have 64 students and from that number I have 6 homeschool families. I’ve had 3 of those a number of years and the other 3 either knew me or knew one of my homeschool students. I’ll also be teaching at a homeschool group in May for 6 weeks. That contact I got to know personally and it took the entire year to establish the trust and openness to get into that group. I don’t know if I’ll just do the co-op as marketing for the summer or if I’ll continue in the fall.

Ethel S., Arizona

As a homeschooling mom for 13+ years, I have found that there are several factors that play into this.

The financial burden of just buying quality curriculum often trumps having money available for a long-term commitment, like piano lessons. I know that for our family, there wasn’t a SM teacher in our area for long time, and although I was interested, we just didn’t have the extra funds.

I too usually look for curriculums/programs that are tried and tested. I am so busy finding the right curriculum for each child’s needs/learning style, making lesson plans, teaching multiple grades, grading, running everyone to their various sports, etc. that I don’t want to waste time and money on something that doesn’t work. I look for things that are recommended by other homeschooling moms first and only try out 1 or 2 new things a year.

It takes someone who is very independent and strong willed to be able to go against the flow and take on the responsibility for your child’s education. Most will go to great lengths to make sure their child has the best curriculum/programs that they can possibly get. Homeschoolers are very loyal students once they understand and see the quality of the program. The video is a great marketing tool!

As a new SM teacher, I only have students from the homeschool community. I am wondering how to market this program to non-homeschooling parents. They are not used to coming to the child’s class or being so involved in the process of learning. The whole approach of SM is so pro-homeschool. The thought that the learning takes place at home — not in the “class.” The thought that it is the parent’s responsibility to be the life coach, the one is responsible to make sure that the learning is taking place is part of most homeschooler’s lifestyle and philosophy.

Lynette M.

I would like to comment about money for homeschool curriculum. In Northern CA there is a State funded homeschool organization that covers several counties. The parents are given a budget to spend on homeschool material and teaching. It’s called Pathways School and it is administered by Harmony School District. If I had a school like that in my area I would offer a free intro class to those parents.

Debbie V., Oklahoma

I have been homeschooling for 24 years and this is my last! The thought is just plain weird! I have been teaching SM for eight years this summer and have only had homeschool students for the last two years or so. Most parents want to wait and see if new things are still around for a few years before trying them and honestly I found the homeschool conventions to be a waste of time for a few reasons.

1. Moms are interested in the basic subjects and won’t go past that till it is done.
2. Electives are considered by the experience of others
3. Just getting the basic subjects covered can be quite expensive so there isn’t enough money left at that time.

Also my area has a lot of piano teachers! Many homeschooled students teach when they are in high school and their prices are very cheap. One retired woman was teaching for $5.00 per lesson and you only had to pay when you showed up. Moms loved it and so did the students. Thankfully she is no longer teaching.
I have also been to the back to school elective nights where anyone can display elective materials to be a waste. Last year there were four piano teachers in the same room. None of were able to get anyone interested!

Homeschool parents tend to be very traditional in my area in electives as well as the basics. I tend to be the opposite but of course I was raised in S. CA and that is the reason they all tell me.

I had one homeschool mom who is also the support group leader call and ask for lessons for herself after seeing me 7 years ago at my 1st convention. She decided she was ready and had saved my phone number all that time. She has emailed some ads for me to her support group which has brought in a few students. She won’t consider me for a presentation at a meeting because I teach an elective.

Just keep trying in the homeschool market as well as any other market. I also am IN the market and not very successful with getting students.

Carrie L. Michigan

I do think that there are different types of homeschoolers… I have a couple different ‘types’ in my studio.

Very traditional types of homeschoolers tend to follow a more structured homeschool schedule and more regimented curriculum. Some very traditional types I’ve found are not always open to Simply Music… they want traditional piano lessons. Traditional homeschoolers tend to be Christian or some sort of religious base and their kids tend to be used to schedules, expectations and do as they are told. They are typically great students! I have one family that it ‘trying’ out

Simply Music for 4 weeks like this and one family whose daughter has been with me in lessons for 2 years. She’s an excellent student!

Some families tend to be less regimented and therefore a little more open to something new…. I’d say these are less traditional approach homeschoolers. They tend to follow a curriculum school wise, but are much less regimented in their time schedule for the day. I have one student like this… and she does MANY activities outside of their schooling. We’re working on her behavior in a group setting, but her mom is open to working on this and correcting the behavior.

I have three families that follow a type of homeschooling that is more along the lines of what is called “unschooling”… two are devout Jewish families and one is non-religious. They are more challenging to teach because they don’t ‘force’ their kids to do anything… and their schooling is a bit more devoid of structure or completely without structure. One family I’ve had for 4 years of lessons… and although they have progressed as they “could”… they are very creative and LOVE music. There is a freedom there that I don’t see with other students. The other new family I’ve had to chat with about not going ahead on the video. The mom has learned all the songs herself and now says she has to practice when her son is not around or he’ll beg, cry, and pry her to teach her the songs we haven’t covered in the lesson. He also has a freedom of self-expression. The parents have a strong relationship with their children and there is not the ‘authoritative’ relationship like with most traditional parents.

I know these are stereotypes, but I hope by being a homeschooled adult and planning to homeschool my son… I can share this info from my own observation. No homeschool family is alike really.

I do think the key is getting into the co-ops and teaching there for cheap. The two new families have either known me personally or known other families that have been in lessons with me or another SM teacher.

Bernie A., California

I wanted to mention that I do love working with homeschool families. It is a matter of helping them to see the immense value of Simply Music. Homeschool families are looking for a curriculum that is “outside of the box” because most of them are “outside of the box”. As I see it, music is well regarded in the homeschool community and some consider it necessary. But it is true that homeschool families are looking for their money’s worth in everything, academic or extra-curricular.

If you can convince a homeschool family that Simply Music is worth its weight in gold then there is likelihood that you can gain homeschool families as students. They are fiercely loyal and once you have won them over, they will be your best advocates. Crafting your conversations in such a way that promotes freedom, creativity, self-generation, hard work and character will be selling points to homeschoolers. In many ways, all the things that Simply Music stands for is what homeschoolers love.

Out of my 45 students in my studio, 25 of them are homeschoolers. It’s a good market especially if you want to work in the day hours.

I am a vendor for homeschool charter schools in N. CA. Here’s how they work (at least for me): I went through all the paper work to become a vendor. It took a few months and I had to open up a checking account in my business name and get a business license. Once I was approved, then they put me onto their website. They would look up: For the Love of Piano…

Parents would look me up and give me a call. I’d have an FIS for them, sign them up and we would start lessons. Payment is done in arrears so when lessons have been completed, I send an invoice into the charter school and they have 30 days to send me a check. I only have two families from charter schools. Its manageable and another way to gain homeschool students.