|
|
Greetings!
We learn how to be good teachers from so many sources. My husband Don is a construction manager at the University of Washington. He's had 20 people in his office, which means overseeing their work and dealing with their personal issues. I admire Don's philosophy of giving his workers the tools and the confidence to do a good job, demanding high standards while giving them autonomy to make their own decisions, caring about them as people, not just employees, and knowing that they are more important than the product. In the end, Don has employees who trust him and care about doing their best. You can have students who do the same. This month, think outside the teaching box to learn how to manage your students in the best professional and kind way. I trust you will find some new techniques and inspiration with my newsletter and, of course, I don't have all the answers, so I'd love to hear your ideas too. This newsletter is for all instrumentalists
and singers but, flutists, there will be a special article in every
issue just for you.
|
Short Summer Reading List
|
|
 Here are some interesting books that are not about music or about teaching but that will give you insight into reaching
your own goals and helping your students reach theirs. They're fun
reading, so give them a try! The
One Minute Manager, by Ph.D. Kenneth Blanchard (wish he was a relation). This small book packs a big punch and was the first book I read many
years ago that really helped shape my teaching philosophy. Though
written for office managers, you'll easily see the correlation to
teaching. It's filled with ideas for setting goals, giving workers
autonomy, reprimanding and praising,and many more management skills and
styles you can immediately apply in your studio or classroom. Learn more.The Success Principles: How to Get from Where You Are to
Where You Want to Be, by Jack Canfield. This is a big book that
examines in detail ideas about deciding what you want in life and how to
get it by taking small steps and believing in yourself. Filled with
true stories of people who have turned their lives around, this book offers you a
blueprint to achieve your own goals. Learn more.The 7 Habits of Highly Effective
People: Powerful
Lessons in Personal Change, by Stephen Covey. What we do every day
becomes a habit, whether it helps or hurts us. Covey encourages us to be
proactive, begin with the end in mind, put first things first, think
win/win, seek first to understand then be understood, synergize, and
"sharpen the saw." Learn more.The
7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens, by Sean Covey.
You'll find ideas to help mentor the teens in your life with this book.
In an entertaining style, Covey
provides a step-by-step guide to help teens improve self-image, build
friendships, resist peer pressure, achieve their goals, get along with
their parents, and much more. In addition, this book is stuffed with
cartoons, clever ideas, great quotes, and incredible stories about real
teens from all over the world. (Look on the back of the Blast! book to
read Sean's endorsement.) Learn more. |
Practice Pointers
|
| Don't depend heavily on practice charts. Assess how well students are doing by how well their lesson goes, not by how much they practice. If they practiced a lot and it didn't really help, they'll think practice doesn't work and they're not talented enough or that time matters and not results.
Teach them how to practice, not just how much.
|
| Flute Flash |
| Learn support by playing while sitting on a big exercise ball or standing on a trampoline.
|
|
The Funnies |
|
J.S Bach had 20 kids; his organ had no stops!
-Garrison Keillor
|
|
Mailbox |
|
 Here's what you've been saying
I grab your book once in a while and feel refreshed by the generosity of your thoughts and writing. I am sure it is doing well. How lucky we are to love what we do for a living.
-Michel DeBost, Professor of Flute Oberlin Conservatory
|
Upcoming Events: Speaking Engagements
|
|
September 21st, 9:00
Seattle Music Teachers Association
Seattle Sherman and Clay showroom
"Building a Website to Help Build Your Studio"
October 23rd
Greenville Music Teachers Association Seminar
(learn more)
"Transform Your Teaching"
"Do Something Different"
"Jump Start Your Teaching"
"Making Money Making Music"
All-Day seminar
Bob Jones University
Greenville, South Carolina
November 16th
Clark County Music Teachers Association
Vancouver, Washington
10:00 a.m. - noon
"Transform Your Teaching"
February 18th, 2011
MENC Northwest Division Conference
(learn more)
Bellevue, Washington
"Tips and Tricks For Teaching Flute"
February 19th, 2011
MENC Northwest Division Conference
(learn more)
Bellevue, Washington
8:00 - 9:15 a.m.
"Jump Start Your Teaching"
May 20th, 2011
Rainier Chapter WMTA
(Program TBA)
|
|
|
