This chick Mary has demonstrated her lack of patience and discipline. She probably doesn't have what it takes to learn to play piano. Reminds me of some attitudes I came across from certain students at a community college. They are used to pushing their parents around and try pushing their teachers around too. (Actually it works for them, and community colleges are all about keeping it easy and keeping the money flowing in...but that's another issue.) An advantage of being an independent teacher is you can choose to let go of students when they are more of a pain than they're worth.

OK, what I said is unkind. I should stop reacting to these posters who pop in, pop off, and pop out.

Ann in Kentucky,

Quote 1:This chick Mary has demonstrated her lack of patience and discipline. She probably doesn't have what it takes to learn to play piano. Reminds me of some attitudes I came across from certain students at a community college. They are used to pushing their parents around and try pushing their teachers around too. (Actually it works for them, and community colleges are all about keeping it easy and keeping the money flowing in...but that's another issue.) An advantage of being an independent teacher is you can choose to let go of students when they are more of a pain than they're worth.

Quote 2: "OK, what I said is unkind. I should stop reacting to these posters who pop in, pop off, and pop out."

Ann,

I think it takes an experienced teacher to recognize an authentic learner from the ones who would have habits and agendas that do not work in the least bit for serious piano study.

If we look at the words related to study and student, I think there are certain productive definitions that apply and that the goals we set up for short term and long term just don't work for those seeking instant gratification.

I perfectly understood your "pop in, pop off, and pop out" description.

We don't gain a thing by allowing people to spin their wheels in our presence and if listening to attitudes and frustrations were required of me, I think I would rather quit. They get all of my patience and self discipline as it is, so why would I give them my sanity too? I'm glad that some of us know how to set the tempo in the giving of piano lessons in our independent studios, otherwise we would be at the beck and call of any paying client.

That is not piano teaching, in my estimation.

I'm glad to read your post here, Ann.

Betty

"I'm glad to read your post here" Thanks Betty!!

"THIS CHICK!!!!!!!!!!"
I am aghast. I cannot think of a single situation that would warrant calling a woman a CHICK, especially by another woman..
It is beyond demeaning.. I think I will take your advice Ann and stop my invective here.
I know you apologized for your reaction, but I am not sure you covered that word!
It is so unbecoming, with all due respect.

According to the English Oxford Dictionary "chick" is slang for a young woman. Perhaps it would have suited you better if I'd used the word jack--s instead. My intention at the time was to insult the young lady But now I've decided to rise above the desire to insult, after all I've made plenty of mistakes in my life too.

You have outdone yourself. I think i will leave (it) here.

Anne, my main concern is that when you state things about an unknown student, you are demonstrating attitudes you probably don't have toward real students. The original poster is long gone.

My husband calls me chick or chickee all the time. I didn't take offense by what Ann said, and I wouldn't if it were directed at me. Then again, I don't offend easily.

I know that this is a caring teacher through her various posts and the concern she expresses for her students' welfare. In these posts she deliberately vented anger, made broad generalizations about a student when so little is known. She also predicted failure when the student has only had a few weeks of lessons. It does not look good. Since this impression is probably false, it is unfortunate.

keystring, I think you have the wrong Mary in mind.

Thanks, david A. I turned the name into "this".