Mismatched students in group
Found in: Shared Lessons
Kym N., California
I have two girls who have been with me for a little more than 3 years. They are finishing up level 6. One of the girls is doing relatively well, but the second one is not. She is not keeping up with the assignments, doesn’t do good with her playlist, and doesn’t use the home materials much. She regularly claimed that she plays 5 days a week but doesn’t have the result of that. I have tried everything I could do to help her with practice strategies but nothing I have done is useful.
I don’t think it is fair to the first girl as she couldn’t move on as she should be. The mother of the first girl has voiced her concern before but she is a nice person and doesn’t want to do things that don’t seem nice, like leaving the group. I don’t have matching groups for either of them if this group breaks up, mainly due to the students’ scheduling conflicts.
I feel that I can’t keep these two girls together any longer as they have totally different needs. I also feel that if this group can’t continue, the girl who doesn’t do that well will probably not be taking lessons anymore. The first girl is ready for level 7 but the other is so unready to move on. Any insight?
Rochelle G., California
Part of your job as a teacher is to do what’s best for the students. What does that look like to you in this situation?
Patti P., Hawaii
Groups sometimes need to be reconfigured. Also, is there any area where they are at about the same level? If so, you could have one come early for a short time, have them both together for the overlapping area, then a few minutes alone with the other girl. That would be if there is no appropriate group for the girls to join and the parents can’t do privates. I personally have also done 15-minute private lessons for students who had to leave the group they were in, but parent can’t afford a 30-minute private lesson, and there was no other group for them to join.
Christine R., Kansas
Do what’s best for each individual student, not your studio or business, as that will recover and be just fine, because your students and parents will be happy.