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Private Teaching Schedule Management

Author: Katrina
Date: 2017-07-26 23:30

I'm curious about how other private teachers manage their schedules and handle the business side of things. I suspect I'm not the only one who finds this challenging.

I have one app on my iPad, called Moosic Studio, but I haven't found it easy to actually put into daily use. There are just too many variables in my schedule and in students' schedules to make it easy for me. I do have a website, WordPress based, so if there are widgets out there that are relatively easy to incorporate, let me know.

Any psychological, habit-building hints for me too?

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Re: Private Teaching Schedule Management

Author: kdk
Date: 2017-07-26 23:47

I think the best way is the old fashioned date book with lessons (and other commitments entered manually by hand (with pencil in my case so I can change them easily when necessary).

I copy all the entries in my date book to an Outlook calendar on my desktop computer.

Karl

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Re: Private Teaching Schedule Management

Author: concertmaster3
Date: 2017-07-27 00:30

I have a studio of about 25 right now, and I manage most things through my google calendar.

I have all of my lessons set up as a separate calendar, and I send out a weekly email with the lessons schedule in it. Especially during the summer, this allows parents to remind me if they are out of town, or if they would like to change their schedule to another available block. Using Google Calendar also allows me to update anything I need to easily from my phone, so if I get an email from a parent while I'm out and about, I can just quickly delete, or reschedule their lesson.

The parents have all appreciated it as it helps them to remember where and when they're going!
Music Teacher's Helper was also a great help when I first started. It's kind of how I set up my studio.

Ron Ford
Woodwind Specialist
Performer/Teacher/Arranger
http://www.RonFordMusic.com

Post Edited (2017-07-27 00:32)

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Re: Private Teaching Schedule Management

Author: Katrina
Date: 2017-07-27 00:41

I've been teaching for quite a while, so at this point, I'm looking for suggestions on how to stay motivated to write things down also! I tell everyone that I'm the best at not writing things down...Maybe I need an "attitude adjustment?"

I've tried (and actually am now required at one of my teaching locations) to use various online/gmail/etc related computer type schedules, but I don't like how "clunky" it feels to adjust for 1) repeated lessons and 2) alterations/changes/exceptions to those repeated lessons. For that stuff I prefer paper.

Gah...why can't I just upgrade my brain to handle all of this without extra time and effort! Hahhaaa....

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Re: Private Teaching Schedule Management

Author: AlmaM
Date: 2017-07-27 01:18

I use My Music Staff to help manage my studio of 70. It costs $13 per month and is worth every penny. The money comes straight out of my PayPal account (which many parents use to pay their invoices), so I never miss it. I used to use Music Teacher's Helper, which is much more expensive (and not any better) if you have a large studio.

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Re: Private Teaching Schedule Management

Author: concertmaster3
Date: 2017-07-27 06:54

So on my Google Calendar for repeated lessons, I just set it to repeat for forever. After that, if I need to adjust schedules, click and drag to the new location, or delete for the week, and it's still available for the next repeat. I even have repeats available for every other week, or for one student who is the first and second Tuesdays of the month.

I've also been using Microsoft OneNote to keep up with lesson notes, and sharing the notebooks with my students. This allows me to make notes, even recordings, for my students during their lessons. And they have access to it anytime they want. It allows me to also check back each week before lessons to see what we did the previous week.

Also, Google wallet allows for online payments without any charge to it (similar to PayPal Friends and Family), but it deposits directly into your checking or savings account.

Ron Ford
Woodwind Specialist
Performer/Teacher/Arranger
http://www.RonFordMusic.com

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