Communications

Much of your success is determined by your ability to diagnose your student's problems and getting the point across in such a manner that your student is motivated to correct the problem and in such a way that minimizes the time required to do so. Much of how you do this is influenced by your creativity, ingenuity, ability to communicate abstract concepts to your students and by the way you were taught yourself. The rest depends on your continuous determination to be a better teacher and your desire to produce the outstanding musicians within any music program.

The following questions gauge "other" factors contributing to your effectiveness as a private teacher; those factors dealing with your methodology. Answer the questions below truthfully and record your "Yes" or "No" answer for each.

Do you hand out a policy document to new students?
Do you teach your students a practice methodology (not what to practice, but how to practice)?
Do you provide all learning materials for your students (as opposed to having them purchase books and music)?
Do you always remember to mention to the student what he or she is doing well, along with what needs work?
Do you consider the student's possible conflicting schedule and activities when scheduling your lessons?
Do you often break down developmental goals into elemental studies (in other words isolate single concepts)?
Do you keep the parents of your younger students in the loop in regard to practice assignments?
Do you keep available, a record of your student goals, strategies and assignments?
If requested by the music director, are you inclined to coordinate your student's goals with him or her?
Do you encourage your students to attend live performances and actually send home concert announcements?
Do you record your students periodically?
Do you prepare for each student by reviewing lesson notes and mentally planning next steps and learning activities before the lesson starts?
Do you set specific objectives and measure your student's progress towards them?
Do you often prepare exemplary, exciting and inspirational recordings for your students to listen to?
Do you use a variety of teaching aids to keep things interesting (i.e., metronome, tuner, flash cards, ear training software, theory software, rhythm software, music writing & generation software, etc.)?
Do you constantly strive to improve your teaching knowledge and your teaching arsenal?
Are you the type to try new ideas, new concepts, and new techniques for getting a point across and rectifying problems?

Grading Yourself
Rate yourself according to the number of questions where you answered "Yes".

1 - 4 Under Achiever - Although you may be a wonderful and successful teacher, indications are that you could be much more effective, still. Read the educational articles here for new ideas and become all that you can be.

5 - 8 Could use improvement. You are about as effective as a majority of private teachers. Much of your effectiveness depends on your innate sense of music teaching. However, this can be much improved by using some of the sound techniques discussed here.

9 - 12 Moderately effective - You are using quite a bit of good common sense in your approach to teaching. This will have a major impact in your effectiveness and your satisfaction level with teaching.

13 - 17 Highly Effective - You are at the top of your game. You are a dedicated and motivated teacher and your results are almost certain to place you in a most wanted teacher status.