tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2476663996909394364.post998257023356722693..comments2023-06-22T03:48:05.842-04:00Comments on The Piano Studio: Piano Parent Tip: Know and Respect Your Teacher's Make-Up PolicyLaura Lowehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08274813429304397700noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2476663996909394364.post-23050698940176921082012-11-12T19:31:10.507-05:002012-11-12T19:31:10.507-05:00Funny that you should ask that today because I can...Funny that you should ask that today because I cancelled three students this afternoon. My throat is too sore to talk! In general, I almost never cancel, and instances like today are extremely rare. When it happens, I do offer to make up the lesson, and if we just can't work out a make-up lesson, then I credit for a lesson. Laura Lowehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08274813429304397700noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2476663996909394364.post-27648553449179235192012-11-12T19:25:39.136-05:002012-11-12T19:25:39.136-05:00Thanks for addressing this. I was thinking about ...Thanks for addressing this. I was thinking about make-up lessons, and completely confused of what I should do. I think that I've figured it out, but I still haven't decided on illness. It's true (loved that linked article, by the way) that if I missed my class in college, due to illness or otherwise, I didn't receive a credit in tuition. But I feel bad about asking the tuitionBeckyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02688719514346028111noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2476663996909394364.post-41179906203704584382012-07-13T10:50:17.661-04:002012-07-13T10:50:17.661-04:00Terence, thanks for your comment. I LOVE your word...Terence, thanks for your comment. I LOVE your wording for reminding parents of payment!Laura Lowehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08274813429304397700noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2476663996909394364.post-91340867057498067662012-07-13T10:46:22.043-04:002012-07-13T10:46:22.043-04:00Great post - I think too many teachers are being t...Great post - I think too many teachers are being taken advantage of.<br />I have a studio policy derived from similar frustration. But this has given me support. <br />When a parent or student asks to make up a lesson (usually by sms or email at the last minute), I respond by saying that the answer is in the studio policy - I have no comebacks.<br />Secondly, I do offer a made up lesson under 2 Terencehttp://www.newmusic.co.zanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2476663996909394364.post-67256393543489169932011-09-15T10:08:08.142-04:002011-09-15T10:08:08.142-04:00Yes, Dustin, this a FANTASTIC conversation because...Yes, Dustin, this a FANTASTIC conversation because it demonstrates so well the process I think we all go through. I started off, just as you did, giving in to every request. The process of developing a policy was just that - a process. I think that the fact that I enjoy my work so much also made it hard for me to treat it in a business-like way right at first. Congratulations on having so many Laura Lowehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08274813429304397700noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2476663996909394364.post-91035405512471261672011-09-15T09:52:43.910-04:002011-09-15T09:52:43.910-04:00Wow. I read your entire post Laura and I think yo...Wow. I read your entire post Laura and I think you nailed my specific situation. Well , I suppose my eagerness to please is definitely based on the fact that my studio is not yet full. I kind of let myself get trampled on a little when I started my studio with only a few students ... I gradually became a bit more strict and picked my battles. I had families that would request ridiculous Dustinhttp://prodigypianostudios.com/pianoteachersblognoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2476663996909394364.post-87772107199115345602011-09-14T14:40:30.105-04:002011-09-14T14:40:30.105-04:00Good points all around! And, I might add, the stri...Good points all around! And, I might add, the strictest of policies can be expressed in the nicest of ways. I find that when I explain things as honestly and nicely as possible, most people understand completely.Laura Lowehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08274813429304397700noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2476663996909394364.post-11490861038365101972011-09-14T13:51:20.174-04:002011-09-14T13:51:20.174-04:00Dustin, you made me rethink my thoughts as well. ...Dustin, you made me rethink my thoughts as well. I felt a certain openness to your words of freedom-and-forgiveness. Your point follows the flow of children and parents' life patterns; vacations, etc...<br /><br />Not having a full roster may play a part in a teacher's agreeableness. There are many teachers with just a few students that do it part-time (and that's okay too). <br /Joseph Pingelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01669163926884410414noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2476663996909394364.post-41379563632157489132011-09-14T12:22:23.550-04:002011-09-14T12:22:23.550-04:00Hi, Dustin, and thanks for your comment. Every tea...Hi, Dustin, and thanks for your comment. Every teacher must decide their own policy based on their circumstances, and my main point is simply that parents should know and respect that policy, whatever it is, and to see things from the teacher's point of view. My own policy is to make up for illness only, and I also included a phrase in my policy sheet that says I will do it as long as I have Laura Lowehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08274813429304397700noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2476663996909394364.post-23989865121639082412011-09-14T11:10:56.026-04:002011-09-14T11:10:56.026-04:00I believe I may be one voice that isn't entire...I believe I may be one voice that isn't entirely 'for' being too rigid and strict about make up lessons and rescheduling. If my schedule permits it , I will do what I can to accommodate. If you want to look at things from an economists point of view, parents don't have the obligation to continue lessons with their local studio either. =) <br /><br />I always expect payment a Dustinhttp://prodigypianostudios.com/pianoteachersblognoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2476663996909394364.post-43592924602106940472011-09-06T12:01:00.972-04:002011-09-06T12:01:00.972-04:00I think your post is as good as Ms. Barham's. ...I think your post is as good as Ms. Barham's. It's the plight of all professionals to deal with this situation. <br /><br />That's why it is good to be paid by the month in advance rather than weekly and to stipulate clearly -up front- that there are no make up dates. <br /><br />It's like renting a motel during Superbowl week. You're free to give up the room but if you Joseph Pingelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01669163926884410414noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2476663996909394364.post-37803995963258523692011-09-06T07:25:42.332-04:002011-09-06T07:25:42.332-04:00Laura,
Very well written! I wish all parents and t...Laura,<br />Very well written! I wish all parents and teachers could read this.Susan Paradishttp://www.susanparadis.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2476663996909394364.post-88462326689183033462011-09-05T21:04:58.235-04:002011-09-05T21:04:58.235-04:00The article by Vicky Barham is a must-read for eve...The article by Vicky Barham is a must-read for every music teacher. Finally, someone has put into words every frustration I've felt regarding make-up lessons. I still do give occasional make-up lessons, but now only at times that are convenient for me & for reasons that I believe are legitimate. Thanks for reminding me of this great article.Bethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11657191733651722342noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2476663996909394364.post-83430467690987423432011-09-05T17:38:31.480-04:002011-09-05T17:38:31.480-04:00Way to go, Laura Lowe!Way to go, Laura Lowe!rowsellpianohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12992307173337476379noreply@blogger.com