I am an 18 year old piano teacher that is attending University. I have my elementary pedagogy and grade 10 piano certificate, therefore qualified to be a teacher - would you trust your child with me ?

What do parents look for in a piano teacher?

The perception of confidance is critical - also your ability to make a child laugh, and feel excited - simple but critical things (I've taught and hired teachers for 12 years)

If you had an amazing teacher yourself.

I would have to meet you--as I would with any teacher. Age would not be a "red flag" that would eliminate you.

I think everyone should have an opportunity to teach if it truly is in their capacity, but the word "qualified" in your topic first posting, jolted me just a little bit.

I think the test in whether we can or should teach is the results we get by having taught. If it's going to work out that we are good teachers it will be obvious in the doing, and in the results we get with our students.

I think I would like to hear more of an enthusiasm, such as: "Eager to teach, ready to develop teaching skills, opportunity seeking, wanting to share music, transferring ideas, etc." There are so many ways to express your intentions.

Qualified? I really see that in a different realm. You might say you are an accomplished piano student with aspirations of teaching and give the information of what has transpired in your learning years. But, I don't think that automatically transfers to "qualified" to teach.

Discover your gift by starting and doing, growing and learning how to be a teacher. You will discover you have so much more to learn about music and about teaching and that it will be a lifelong learning. And, you will also discover soon whether or not you have had enough education to get started now.

I hope this works out well for you.

The question asked is "Will you entrust your child to me?" but it is posted in the teacher forum. So can those being asked answer under that circumstance?

KS

As a parent, or as a prospective student myself, I would be looking for exactly the background that you have outlined.
- I would want the teacher to understand his or her craft. Your grade 10 indicates that somebody taught you, you were taught sufficiently well to pass to that level, and that you applied yourself. If you were taught, then you should have conscious knowledge. How else can it be transmitted to a student?
- I would want the teacher to know how to organize skills and knowledge over time, how to transmit it, i.e. how to teach - your pedagogy training gives that. If young and inexperienced you would probably draw heavily on that training to begin with, and then start varying what you do as you gain experience and see what works. But at least you have some possible methods of teaching to draw on.
- Your youth means you lack experience but have an open mind and fresh enthusiasm.
- The fact that you have this background tells me that you take your profession seriously. You spent a lot of years to get there. You will probably take the development of your students seriously too.

For these reasons I would consider entrusting my child or myself to your teaching.

In terms of confidence, I prefer the teacher who can say "I don't know, but I'll find out." if this is the case. As a parent, or prospective student, I'd like this person to show an interest in the student.

As a teacher myself, it is indeed true that teaching is a lifelong process, and graduating from courses is just a starting point. But I would much rather learn with someone who has had some formal training or guidance in both the instrument and teaching, than someone trying things out completely on their own.

If the question is what a parent or student is looking for, this is my personal answer. Given that the question is what a parent is looking for, I hope my input is acceptable.

Wow thanks for all the comments. I was just asking this because I was wondering whether people were skeptical about having younger people teach them - due to the "seemingly" lack of experience.

I do agree that I probably don't have 1/5th of the experience that my previous piano teacher's had (they've been teaching for 10-20 years) - and they were undoubtedly phenomenal teachers. I do, although, have one student. She is a family friend at the age of 9, and I have a lot of fun teaching her. She seems to have a good time while learning from the older beginner's Faber and Faber series. So I do feel genuinely comfortable with my students, and try to ensure that they are enjoying themselves rather than putting them under stress.

I try to be easy on them while also making sure that they are learning a lot at the same time. I do speak with the parent quite frequently (every lesson) to let them gain insight with how their child is progressing and whatnot.

Betty: I like how you mentioned that qualification of teaching doesn't nessesarily mean you will be a good teacher. I understand this point of view and know many fabulous musicians that won't come CLOSE to becoming a teacher of any kind. I understand the challenges that are ahead and that it really is a passion driven sort of occupation - which is why I truly want to persue it.

Keystring: Very indept response Thank you and I will take many of those in consideration as my I increase my teaching experiences through some years.

Thanks for the great responses!

Bittersweetmusique,

You talk about your "one student" and then you say "them".

Each student is an "each", an individual, and you will find ways to address those differences, over time and experience in working with "them".

I would say that this coming summer would be a good time for you to start some students as "An Introduction to Music" for summer study. This would give you a time period and potentially several students for you to be planning lessons for, and working toward a successful outcome with them. It would also, by isolating things into a "time frame" give you a deadline to evaluate objectively your own teaching.

Lesson planning is a huge part of what we do, and I would encourage you to take notes on your students progress and have a check off box for each concept you are teaching. You will find ways to do this in time.

Everybody happy is a strong indication that things are working, but you won't always find things flowing smoothly, and the more resources you have available, the better your chances of pulling your students through things that are difficult for them.

I noticed in your first post, you were wanting to overcome the objection of your age that others might have. I wouldn't worry about it - I would demonstrate by doing.

I think you wanting to share your good fortune and joy in music is your best selling point, equated to your passion to connect with young students.

Can I suggest you keep a personal journal of your efforts and thought, contents and discontents?

You are right up the road (Highway 5) from me and from John V.D. Brook, due North. Perhaps all of us Pacific NorthWesterners could get together some day in person whether we are teachers or students wouldn't matter.

We each have music as a focus in our lives, we each have our own paths.

Betty

As a relatively young teacher (I'm 30) have had teachers who were both close in age and those who were not. I've also had students who relate far better to younger teachers than to older ones

I would say a young teacher who is serious about teaching, and for example, follows a graded curriculum. There are some older teachers who are tired of teaching or have gotten lazy about certain aspects of teaching. Plus good young teachers may be better trained in playing technique than their older counterpars. Some people look me over because of my age, but my track record for 10 years of officially teaching speaks for itself--there are much older teachers who haven't achieved anything close!

Meri

One important thing about being a good teacher is to reflect on your own teaching. Always strive to find ways to teach better.

Communication skills are also very important. It is not enough to verbalize ideas; you'd have to verbalize ideas in a way that people (your students and their parents) can understand.

Of course you're not too young! I've been giving lessons since I was fifteen! I've never had a problem with people not taking me seriously or feeling that I was irresponsible with their children.

When you're really really good at something an adult isn't good at, they take you very very seriously indeed.

Naturally though as other people have said, you need to be a good teacher. Some people are terrific performers but not the best teachers, or vice versa. Anyway, good luck.