I recently joined my local music teachers organization and began teaching three students. This sounds like a minimal amount of work to those with a huge studio, but being new and very concientious, I spend many hours each week preparing for their lesson, taking pedagogy workshops, studying all I can about the art of teaching. Fall is approaching and I am about ready to contact the local elementary school to place an ad with their school newspaper, but I've been told to watch out, I could end up with more students than I am comfortable with. How do I ease into this without getting in over my head? I feel so responsible to my students and would never want to cheat them. I'd like to start with just three students daily, for two to three days each week...does anyone have any thoughts on this? If I were in this for the money, I'd be glad to get 'too many' students! But, the opposite is the case...Thanks! Rose

-- Rose (babenpansyrose@aol.com), July 24, 2004

Answers

Simply decide which two days you are going to teach and what time you want to teach them. You dictate the schedule, not the other way around.

Then, when prospective students call, set up an interview. Tell the parents you are only accepting six students (or 3, if you are counting in the 3 you are currently teaching) and tell them you will select the students you feel you are most qualified to teach.

Have a written studio policy available. You want to establish good business practices at the outset so that when you want to expand, policies are already in place. Don't make the mistake of being too casual because you are teaching only 6 students. What you do now sets the foundation for the future.

You are wise to start small and give yourself ample preparation time. Good luck!

-- Arlene Steffen (asteffen@fresno.edu), July 25, 2004.

Thank you Arlene. That was just the advise I needed.

-- Rose (babenpansyrose@aol.com), July 27, 2004.