How to Let Piano Teacher Go

[TeCKis300]

We’re currently looking to let a piano teacher of 2.5 yrs go, for a new teacher. She currently teaches my 7 yr old daughter.

We’re not unsatisfied with her necessarily, just that we have found a new teacher that is a full time teacher, that is more connected, and has great reviews to find ways to motivate students.

Anyone have recommendations or experience on how to let the current teacher go gently?

[Coronita]

I don’t think you need to worry about it. Most teachers are pretty professional about it. As long as you are professional and courteous at what you say, you’re fine. You could just say, my kid would like to try other things and we are taking a break… It’s the easiest thing to say, and everyone knows what that really means when someone says that.

Besides, 2.5 years is not really that long enough such that a teacher would be butt hurt, especially when a student is only age 7. Many of the young kids aren’t really going to be interested moving forward anyway, so teachers already expect a turnover at this young of an age.

Also, the relationship between the student and teacher, in many cases is two way. My kid’s violin teacher has emphasized many times that he will let students go at age 12 if they aren’t performing at a certain level by then, and he doesn’t take any new students older than 12.

So again, it’s unlikely your teacher would be offended or upset about it, because even teachers know that not every student and teacher match up is always optimal. And teachers are also looking for students that match well too for the long term.

[Hobie]

Upon finishing lesson, hand her final check, let her know circumstances has changed and have to stop with the lessons. Thank her and done.

Be sure to not discuss this within earshot of daughter. If you want, a small parting thank you gift may be nice.

[TeCKis300]

All great advice thanks.

My wife is thinking about giving her notice in that we’ll be giving her this months check, and letting her know this will be the last month with her. Letting her know that we are just looking for a different perspective.

Though I’m thinking this may make for an awkward next couple lessons?

[Coronita]

[quote=TeCKis300]All great advice thanks.

My wife is thinking about giving her notice in that we’ll be giving her this months check, and letting her know this will be the last month with her. Letting her know that we are just looking for a different perspective.

Though I’m thinking this may make for an awkward next couple lessons?[/quote]

When an employer gives you a pink slip and asks you to work until the end of the month to finish up, chances are, your mind really isn’t going to be there, because that’s just human nature.

Imho, a month’s notice seems like a long time.. Two lessons prior is probably more reasonable. If there is any emotional attachment to students, the teacher would have that for students that’s been with them for many many years. Many parents are just getting their kids to “try out” different things, so the turnover is expected. Chances are, she’ll find another student to occupy your kid’s time slot, if she’s really popular anyway.

My kid’s violin teacher has a waiting list, unless you want lessons at a really odd time.

[Balboa_Again]

You could cancel the next couple of lessons and pay her for them anyway, like a severance. In these situations, a question I tend to ask is, “Does this money mean more to this person in their life than it means to me in my life?” The answer is a factor in coming to a decision I feel good about.

[cvmom]

[quote=Balboa_Again]You could cancel the next couple of lessons and pay her for them anyway, like a severance. In these situations, a question I tend to ask is, “Does this money mean more to this person in their life than it means to me in my life?” The answer is a factor in coming to a decision I feel good about.[/quote]

This is what I have done in the past. Worked well.

[svelte]

The answer is easy if you take it logically.
I’d like to help you in your struggle to be free.
There must be fifty ways to leave your teacher.

Slip out the back, Jack. Make a new plan, Stan. Don’t be coy, Roy, just listen to me.

Hop on the bus, Gus. You don’t need to discuss much – just drop off the key, Lee, and get yourself free.

[njtosd]

We avoid all of this and use the teachers at the Boys and Girls club. Teachers are surprisingly well trained – daughter’s piano teacher went to the Peabody Conservatory at Johns Hopkins and has a masters in music composition. Many of them are part time instructors at the middle school and high school level (CCA and Torrey Pines) – which makes it nice for the kids. Overall, the teacher is important, but the kids have to be self motivated. Mine bugged me for lessons for quite a while before I gave in.

[TeCKis300]

The deed is done.

We choose to let her know when we paid for the month, that this will be our last month. And that we’ll do 2 more lessons, and she can have the last week as good faith.

We told her that we really appreciated her time and effort. That we were mixing it up and looking for a different perspective to keep our daughter growing. She seemed to take it very well.

Our relationship is good enough that I trust that this teacher will come back the next two weeks and keep things fun and have closure. We’ll have our daughter maker her some token of appreciation on the last lesson.

Really looking forward to the next teacher. She’s just simply a cut above with more resourcefulness and poise to motivate my daughter at another level. I may even take up lessons myself.

[flyer]

When our kids were growing up, we seemed to have teachers and tutors for everything imaginable, from music to sports, and everything in-between, and rarely was the transition from one teacher to the next a problem. My wife and I were raised in the same way, and were happy we had some experience with these situations when it came to our own children.

These endeavors do seem to create erudite individuals, even though, in the final analysis, they ultimately become hobbies for most.

[Anonymous]

[quote=flyer]When our kids were growing up, we seemed to have teachers and tutors for everything imaginable, from music to sports, and everything in-between, and rarely was the transition from one teacher to the next a problem. My wife and I were raised in the same way, and were happy we had some experience with these situations when it came to our own children.

These endeavors do seem to create erudite individuals, even though, in the final analysis, they ultimately become hobbies for most.[/quote]

Pilot question: What’s the protocol for farting in the cockpit?

[flyer]

Wow. That’s a tough and exceptionally thoughtful question, and so appropriate for this thread. You’ve got me stumped, but, if I ever find the answer, I’ll be extraordinarily happy to share it with everyone.

[Anonymous]

[quote=flyer]Wow. That’s a tough and exceptionally thoughtful question, and so appropriate for this thread. You’ve got me stumped, but, if I ever find the answer, I’ll be extraordinarily happy to share it with everyone.[/quote]

Well you never attempted to answer the OP’s question so I figured the thread had drifted.

Thousands of hours in the cockpit, and you’ve never farted? Nor did you ever contemplate the subject after spending all that time in an enclosed space with another person?

I always figured there must be some sort of protocol like, “hey, maybe you should wear your oxygen mask now…”

[TeCKis300]

This one’s easy.

They just get up and do a round of cropdusting on the passengers. Maybe even on the stewardesses. It’s a favorite past time of the flight crew.

[Author]

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