How Do I Become A Teacher? Options

[CMORRIS]

On 08/10/03, Beverley from York wrote:

QUOTE

I'm interested in teaching piano, and possibly beginners guitar, privately at home. I have GCSE and A level music, Grade 7 piano, grade 5 guitar and grade 5 theory. Can anyone point me in the right direction? - i believe there is an exam which i can take to become qualified and with my A level music background it shouldn't be too difficult? Any comments welcome

[Cath22]

Hi,

You don't officially have to have any formal teaching qualifications to set yourself up as an instrumental teacher. However, depending on your performance standards there will of course be limits as to what level you can teach up to. It would be best for you and your students if you perhaps investigate an ABRSM teaching diploma. That's my advice! Good luck!

[19music39]

hi I am a qualified music teacher (cert.Ed) and I have taught a girl who was grade 7 piano but also teaching up to grade 4 at home. I also know of a flute teacher in my area who is teaching in school and has only got up to grade 6 on her instrument.So the answer to your question is yes up to grades within your own limits.

Good luck

19music39 :

[Vikki]

Being a peripatetic music teacher is such a complex job, but an amazingly rewarding one.
I began teaching in my second year of a music degree, and have never looked back.
I started off with private pupils, but am now attached to two schools.
Teaching qualifications are useful, but not essential. I have a BA (hons) and 7 years of experience, but no actual teaching certificate.
One of the most important factors is whether you as a person can cope with the demands of being a peri.
Having a performing diploma or a degree is a good starting point, though not essential.
Good performers don't always make good teachers, but to be a good teacher, you can't be a bad performer. :rolleyes:

You are required to be so much as a peri - teacher, counsellor, accountant, administrator, timetabler - and it's a demanding job.
It's more or less inevitable that you will have to deal with difficult parents at some stage too, which is never something you can prepare for.

When I started out, there was no support network for peris, but now we have a much larger network where we can share ideas, which is great.

So........in summary - qualifications aren't needed, but patience to get your teaching practice off the ground is a must!

[Desmond]

Hi

Could you inform me of the peri networks that you refer to?

Thanks

Des

[DavidMusic]

One more thing that you need to remember - I'm assuming, with your descriptions, that you're still young - it's harder to find pupils, and it's inevitable that parents think less of younger people.

[maggiemay]

[QUOTE] you're still young - it's harder to find pupils, and it's inevitable that parents think less of younger people. ]

David, I'm not sure that's generally the case. A lot of youngsters relate really well to someone who is not much older than themselves, and some parents appreciate that fact.

I have recently taken on an eight year old, who had previously had several much younger teachers, and it was a really big step for her to get used to someone a bit older ! We get on fine after about half a term, but it was clear she was not sure to begin with how she would do.

I started teaching before I went to college; I had grades 8 and 6 on two instruments, and grade 5 or 6 theory (can't remember precisely). Years later I am still learning from my students ! Good luck Beverley if you decide to give it a go.

[Vikki]

In terms of peri support network I mean forums such as this, and platforms like Music Teacher magazine where new material is reviewed and discussed etc.
Also the number of peri specfic qualifications that have sprung up such as the CTABRSM and the Reading University MTPP (Music Teaching in Private Practice)
The ISM also has a large peripatetic section amongst it's membership.

David - I started very young (19) and many parents were supportive, once they knew my musical background and had sat in on a lesson.
However, I have had one unpleasant occurence where - at school - a parent asked me if I was "fit to teach" because I was so young.
She didn't seem to feel this way six months later when her daughter got a scholarship to another school under me. :lol:

[TenorClef]

Don't forget some really useful books are out their now take for example the recent 'Music teachers Companion' by ABRSM a useful guide to teaching musical instruments and i also really like the new Boosey Woodwind and Brass methods great for younger students. A lot of thoughtful ideas about tapping into learning domains in these new publications.

[Vikki]

PeriNet

This is a recently launched group for teachers.
It will not replace this forum, but is meant to complement it.
The more members join, the more discussion we can have.

:)

[Hotair]

Have joined perinet forum. That makes two!

[Vikki]

Ooh that's two. :lol:
Hopefully we can find some others......