Alex
As a music educator, what strategies do you use to deal with problems such as upset parents/students, difficulty with the school administration, self-doubt, etc.?
#music #education #college #school #music-education
2 answers
Rafailia Bampasidou
Rafailia’s Answer
I try to adapt to each student, give my knowledge to the students, receive feedback from them, parents and administration and continue or re-arrange my approach of teaching. This way you learn about the process of teaching yourself and what everybody needs most.If the student is upset for some reason, you have a talk, if he/she doesn't want to cooperate after some attempts, then you go to the parents.If parents aren't doing anything, then you go to the administration. As long as students want to learn music or have the will to come to the lesson and try, they can be difficult and you can push them through.If the student doesn't want at all to learn music then you have to talk to the parents about it.Upset parents are a whole chapter themselves but you have to explain to them how the teaching process goes or they can be really an obstacle for their kid's education. You have to intervene at some point and at some level because then you are becoming an employee and not an educator.
Shelby Steuber
Shelby’s Answer
Another strategy I use is to be yourself. You may be unsure as to how you are doing as a teacher. However, when you are honest with yourself and your students, you provide so much more support to your students. They will recognize that you are trying your best, just as much as they are. Don't be devious or tricky with your students, that will lose their respect.
Hope this helps!