Klarinet Archive - Posting 000536.txt from 1996/07

From: "Daniel A. Paprocki" <dap@-----.US>
Subj: A teaching problem
Date: Mon, 29 Jul 1996 18:34:14 -0400

I want to throw out a problem that I'm faced with in teaching . I just had
a 10th grade student start with me. I teach in my home. The mother wanted
to "sit" in on the first (or so I thought) lesson. I didn't mind and in
fact thought it was a good idea to see my teaching, if we get along, etc.
I teach in an office that's not too big. The mother was seated about five
feet or so in front of us. During the lesson she (the mother) paid some
attention to what I was doing, but also read the newspaper, and towards the
end did her lipstick. I was thinking oh well it's just this first lesson.
As we ended and were setting up the date of the next lesson, the mother
said that oh next time the student's father would come instead - he's into
music things and might be more interested in what I'm saying. I didn't
know what to say - I said nothing.
I have never taught Suzuki clarinet or clarinet for spectators. I
don't mind the first lesson sit-in but not all the time! The other problem
is my wife shouldn't be inconvenienced by a parent waiting around in our
living room for there child. I teach hour lessons every other week and
there are numerous stores very close by to do errands at. So how do I go
about solving this problem. How have others dealt with non-driving young
students or parents that want to observe. When I was young, my mom would
drop me off and come back at the ending time. Help.

Dan

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Daniel A. Paprocki
dap@-----.us

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