How Old Were You When You Started Teaching?, and how did you get into teaching? Options

[katyjay]

I was 38.

Kind people on this forum had been encouraging me to consider teaching for a few months, and I had been replying that I didn't feel ready, didn't think I knew enough.....

And then Andante-in-C proposed the Grade 1 challenge. And to my surprise (and hers, I think) I found myself offering her a swap of singing lessons for recorder lessons.....(IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

The first lesson has to be the scariest thing I've ever done. However, having a pupil who's a superb musician and far more experienced teacher than me has been incredibly helpful as I've developed ideas and she's given me feedback on what I'm doing (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

I also had a local friend from my choir who was desperate for singing lessons, but was long term unemployed so couldn't afford them. So I offered her the opportunity to be my "guinea pig" for starting to teach in return for however much she felt she could afford. This worked so well that her confidence rocketed, she found a job and no longer had time for lessons (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif)

[hillyb]

I think I was about 19/20. Done on quite on an informal basis. A great expereince for when I took to it more seriously later. My first lesson was quite scary but you soon learn a few tips for being more at ease!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[upbeat]

Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences of how you started teaching. It's been really interesting reading them all (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

jenny Posted Aug 30 2007, 09:35 PM
Going off topic a bit here, but just wanted to share this with you all. I have a lovely 10 year old piano student (just done Grade 2) who works really hard and is eager to learn about so many things and has already decided that she wants to be a music teahcer when she grows up. I felt so thrilled when she told me! Also, I recently spoke to her dad (he's decided to have piano lessons too) and he said that "she lives to play the piano".

How lovely, to know you have instilled such a love of music in your pupil. This is what makes teaching so rewarding for me, when you can see how much pleasure and enjoyment learning music brings to others.

[Clare1986]

I started last year (aged 20) when I was in my final year at uni. A friend of mine had too many pupils at different schools so she handed over all the kids she was teaching at one primary school to me. It was a great opportunity! Unfortunately all but one were in Year 6 so they've moved up to secondary school. Their parents want them to continue with me but unless I can find somewhere outside school to teach them (the secondary school is refusing to answer messages) I think I might lose them.. plus my source of extra money to get me through my postgraduate degree! It would be a shame because I've really enjoyed teaching them. Much more than I expected!

[Misterioso]

I was about 38!

I started teaching more or less by accident. My son's violin teacher was leaving, and there was no-one else on the island to take over from her with spaces to spare, so she asked me if I would take on some of her young and eager pupils who would otherwise just be abandoned. Eight years on, I'm still doing it, and people still keep coming back. Guess I must be doing something right!

Oh, now I think of it, one has not come back. This is because he is very promising, and has been offered a bursary by a Music School on the mainland. BUT one of the conditions attached is that he must be taught by someone with professional performance experience (which I don't have). So, having got him to where he is (including the title of Western Isles Primary Young Musician of the Year) I now have to hand him over to someone else!

I guess that's life! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wacko.gif)

[Clari Nicki1]

I was a classroom teacher for about 11 years (mot music.... and secondary).
Then when I was 38, there was a school that needed a clarinet teacher and couldn't get one. Another teacher who taught there kept on at me.... and persuaded me to give it a go. She told me I was better than no teacher .I was quite nervous... as although I have taught, I had never taught an instrument... and I haven't had lessons in the clarinet since I was at university. I was (and still am) learning the piano .... and my children were (and still are) having music lessons that I have sat in on... so I suppose I had a good idea about how to teach an instrument.
I had 3 pupils at first... a beginner and 2 who had already been playing a bit. I loved it. My classroom experience meant I knew how to break down things to explain them to children. I found it a delight to teach 1:1. I have been worried that I'm not good enough to teach... but my pupils have made good progress and have done well in exams (in the last batch... I had 3 distinctions and 1 merit!!!) so i am gaining in confidence.
I have leaned so much 'on the job'. I have had to analyse technique a lot to work out how to describe to someone how to do something to a child.
I have friends who are instrumental teachers... and i ask their advice a lot.
I have just sent of my application for 'Teaching Music Effectively" course in London.... and next year I intend to do my CT ABRSM. I have 10 pupils now.... 6 in school and 4 out of school. My highest standard pupil just got distinction in her Grade 3.... At the moment I don't feel confident taking pupils beyond Grade 5... and I want to ensure I am ready for this pupil so that I can continue teaching her all the way through!!!!

Started my youngest pupil today (just 8... but quite big). She was lovely and giggled all lesson!!!!

I love it!!!! I am so glad I got into teaching the clarinet!!!!

[lottie]

I think I was about 7 (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) I lined up all my teddies (I didn't play with dolls) on the piano and taught them The Snake Dance. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif) My Donkey could also play scales with his hooves!

But to a human.. when I was about 17/18 I think. A couple of piano pupils and a clarinet, but I didn't present for exams and tbh I was moving around too much to take on permanent pupils, it was more 'coaching' really.

[Malone]

About 18 or so. I had just left the army as musician and didnt have a clue what to do next, and a friend from our church said thier daughter wanted to learn the flute, so I taught her for about a year or so until she decided it wasnt for her. At the same time I started teaching her, I got onto the instrumental teaching course in Aberdeen and thats where I still am, still teaching, earning more and teaching more instruments.

I love (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wub.gif) my council job - for the benefits, not really the horrible teenage boys!

[Susie]

I started when I was about 23 - 2 children from a large family who were in the church choir - lessons were free to encourage them to stay in the choir (and I couldn't guarantee that I could teach them anything anyway!) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

Then a gap, and 2 more pupils when I was about 25 and had embarked on a secondary science teaching career (having decided that I was cut out for teaching (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) ).

Then properly when I was about 34 and decided that I wasn't cut out to be a full time mum - I've had piano pupils ever since (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[Scaramouche]

I unofficially started teaching when I started sixth form. I helped out with various classroom and instrumental lessons in school and often gave the pupils who were 'friends' lessons in my free time. I officially started teaching privately when I was 18 and at university, that has continued and now, at 20, I have a peripatetic woodwind job and do teach a few more private students too.

[sarah-flute]

I also had a local friend from my choir who was desperate for singing lessons, but was long term unemployed so couldn't afford them. So I offered her the opportunity to be my "guinea pig" for starting to teach in return for however much she felt she could afford. This worked so well that her confidence rocketed, she found a job and no longer had time for lessons (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif)

Only just seen this...

Kind of a bummer - but on the other hand, wow, that's some vindication of your ability to imbue confidence!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[maggiemay]

I was 16 --- she was my boyfriend's little sister.

[pizazz]

I'm 27, just started teaching, my first pupil this Friday!!

I've wanted to teach for years but I had to work full time for a while before I could jump ship and go it alone.

No regrets so far, can't wait to get stuck in!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[Melody Amour]

I'm sure you don't need it but good luck on Friday.

[pizazz]

I'm sure you don't need it but good luck on Friday.

I feel fairly confident, but I will probably need some luck aswell!! Thanks!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)