Music Teacher Mentoring

Are you interested in becoming a music teacher?

Are you a music teacher looking to refine your skills and knowledge?

I offer mentoring sessions aimed to develop teaching techniques and acquire the skills necessary for you to feel confident in your own practice. Climb the hierarchy of cognitive development to become a better musician yourself by learning how to assess the progress of others.

With over thirty years experience in teaching piano to a wide range of age groups and an array of learning styles, I have much insight to share. I have a PhD in Educational Philosophy and have lectured and mentored in the School of Education at the University of Sydney since 2002. I have also developed Dr Denise Stanley’s Piano Teacher Training Course, where advanced students can study under my guidance to become professional music teachers themselves as well as qualify to teach my personal referrals. If you are located in the Sydney area and interested in being involved in my 6-session training course, please enquire so that we may discuss further.

My Mentoring programme offers single session coaching where you are welcome to meet only once or as many times as you like. This mentorship allows new teachers access to the information needed to make starting your studio as stress-free and successful as possible. We can meet online or face to face. Just e-mail your questions and/or concerns prior to our coaching sessions and I’ll prepare what’s needed for you to get the most out of our time together. Sessions are recorded so that you can have ongoing access to the information received.

What to expect:

Guidance towards the development of your teaching objectives and studio goals
Generous sharing of my knowledge and experience
Constructive and honest feedback
Audio recordings for ongoing access
Complete confidentiality

Areas of focus:

Organise a teaching philosophy
Pedagogical planning
Curriculum development and resource recommendations
Building your studio policy
Developing invoicing strategies
Discussing advertisement
Effectively communicating with families
Managing client retention

Why Finding a Piano Teaching Mentor Is So Important – by Lynda Irvine

The Power of Mentoring

Mentoring is a very useful way of expanding your knowledge and getting support when you are starting up and building your music studio business.

A mentor is not actually a teacher as such, mentors don’t instruct or direct you to do things their way. Good mentors inspire, encourage and provide a different perspective about how to achieve your goals using their experience to give feedback and advice.

Mentors are like any service – you need to find one who is a great fit for you and for what you are hoping to achieve.

They will have an understanding and respect for your background, your goals and your individuality.
They will be generous in sharing their experience and knowledge
They need to be honest not only when sharing their own experiences but also when giving you constructive feedback. A mentor’s honest constructive feedback will influence pivotal decisions about many aspects of your music studio.
You should also expect complete confidentially from your chosen mentor.

Setting Short and Long Term Goals

Both short and long-term goals are extremely important for your business and for your own professional development. Goals are what will give your studio and your career it’s focus for years to come. They are ongoing and are the framework that will ensure your studio becomes your dream studio and is not modelled on someone else’s dream.

Staying on track

Because your mentor knows your goals, they can also check in and make sure you are not getting carried away with side issues which can help you reach your goals in the quickest time. A mentor has already done what you are trying to do now. They will save you weeks of research and often a lot of money because they have been there and done that, so you don’t have to.

Identifying your strengths and weaknesses

Become aware of what your strengths and weaknesses are. A mentor will help clarify this with you. Your mentor can help you work out strategies to turn those weaknesses into strengths allowing you to become a more accomplished music teacher and studio owner with a focus that is tailored to your goals.

Encouragement

As life has it, there may be times when you get discouraged and want to give up – having someone to discuss these feelings with and offer ways forward is worth its weight in gold. A good mentor will encourage you and help you remember why this journey is important to you and why it is worth the effort.

Confidence

Confidence grows when you have a mentor on your side. They help clarify ideas into workable strategies that you can implement in a systematic way. Being able to discuss ideas in complete confidentiality without fear of ridicule and getting positive feedback and support gives you the feeling that anything is possible if you organise a plan work towards the goal.