Did you know that many piano teachers pursue different types of professional development each year? It could be their piano lessons that specialize on a specific style of music, online workshops throughout the year or multi-day conferences.
Part of a being a master teacher is understanding this, “We never really stop learning.”
Why Professional Development?
Or, perhaps the more important question is “How does this affect my child’s lessons?”
When teachers learn they can:
- Increase expertise in various topics & concepts.
- Keep up with current research into how we learn.
- Learn how to keep students playing in a healthy way throughout their lives.
- Put themselves in their students’ place … learning can be challenging.
- Be inspired to make piano lessons a truly wonderful experience for your child.
Master teachers understand that they are lifelong students.
And, this leads to piano lessons that students are eager to attend.
How Does This Affect Scheduling?
Each teacher will choose to handle their professional development differently. It all depends on their specific situation & what works best in their studio.
At Must Love Music, students have group lesson weeks throughout the year. At least two of those group lessons are so I can attend &/or present at conferences.
What happens is students attend a group lesson in lieu of regularly scheduled lessons. The group lesson will always be planned so it is before or after the conference.
Advantage of Group Lesson Week
Group lesson week is a win-win situation in our studio for everyone.
This set up works for our studio families because:
- Students do not miss out on lessons, just change the format & time.
- Students love the social aspect of group lessons where we create community.
- Parents love that their kids are excited about attending, while they get a 90-minute break.
This set up ensures I can:
- Focus 100% on what is being taught.
- Take notes on how I will bring the ideas back to the studio.
- Find the perfect way to reach each student.
Sometimes a session will remind me of a student’s music goal. So I send a quick message to a student or parent letting them know I was thinking of them & letting them know I have something special for them next lesson.
Regardless of whether your piano teacher chooses group lesson week or a different format, he or she will let you know what to expect.
Why Your Piano Teacher Keeps Learning
While it is easy to read articles online & professional publications, as well as listen to podcasts (all of which I do), there is something to be said for learning directly from experts in live sessions.
The real reason why your piano teacher attends professional development throughout the year is … your child’s musical education matters.
And that may be the best reason of all, right?
To help support you during group lesson weeks, below are 5 ways you can support your child during their piano practice routine!
Why Your Piano Teacher Keeps Learning
While it is easy to read articles online & professional publications, as well as listen to podcasts (all of which I do), there is something to be said for learning directly from experts in live sessions.
The real reason why your piano teacher attends professional development throughout the year is … your child’s musical education matters.
And that may be the best reason of all, right? To help support you during group lesson weeks, below are 5 ways you can support your child during their piano practice routine!
