Developing as a Teacher

 Ongoing learning and development is a key part of any job, and mine is no different. There are many ways I participate in the piano teaching and Kodály world, to ensure that I keep up to date and develop as a teacher and musician. I am an active and involved member of The Curious Piano Teachers which offers ongoing professional development and facilitates the sharing of learning and discussion amongst piano teachers. Additionally, I also have regular piano lessons to ensure my own ongoing development as a pianist - much to the surprise of many of my students! After all, there is always more to learn! 😊 

As well as being involved in online discussions, training sessions and webinars, I also attend conferences and seminars, one of which is Music Expo, which happens annually in the Spring. It's a great opportunity to exchange ideas face to face, as well as attend seminars and workshops and explore the latest resource offerings. 

I also belong to around 5, vibrant facebook groups which between them discuss all aspects of musicianship and piano teaching. Recent topics being discussed have included things as diverse as people asking for ideas to help with specific learning objectives, finding resources that will help with a particular rhythm, what to do as a teacher if you think a child might have additional needs, courses and development opportunities, and sharing successes. 

There are so many other things I could include in this post - particularly around the abrupt and massive learning involved in moving to online lessons via zoom in March 2020. This was yet another example of how the online community of instrumental teachers out there managed to share information and experience to help each other so effectively! As I write this, face to face teaching is once more the norm, but we now have the flexibility to switch back online if we need to due to illness or transport issues, for example.

I feel very privileged to be teaching piano in such a connected time, when we can share knowledge and learn from each other so easily, as I imagine it could have been a lonely profession in times gone by!