Klarinet Archive - Posting 000588.txt from 1996/07

From: Fred Jacobowitz <fredj@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: A teaching problem
Date: Wed, 31 Jul 1996 11:27:09 -0400

Dan,
I teach out of my house also. My policy is: if the parents wish
to observe, that's OK AS LONG AS THE STUDENT DOESN'T MIND. If the parent
is there, expecially during the first two lessons, I try to direct a few
comments their way to show them what I'm getting at and to direct their
ears to what to listen for so they can keep tabs on their child's
practicing. Often, children catch on real quick that parents don't know
what they should be listening for and so the kids screw around instead of
practicng correctly. An educated parent is the best friend a teacher can
have because they will supervise the practice session.
As for keeping a parent around the house, you might 1) designate
a section of a room/the house as "waiting area" and cordon it off with a
Chinese screen (is that what they are called?), or 2) you could just tell
parents that you prefer that they not stay at your home. It is well
within your rights as teacher to set all the parameters.

Fred Jacobowitz
Clarinet/Sax Instructor, Peabody Preparatory

On Mon, 29 Jul 1996, Daniel A. Paprocki wrote:

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