What should they do? What should they not do? Why are some
great and others not? What makes a teacher truly special? Why do some students
thrive with a teacher and others not?
These questions are what make life interesting.
Although I play many concerts a year with great orchestras,
I am now primarily a teacher. I think it is very important for me to keep
playing as long as anyone will have me. I get a great charge out of playing
with some of the finest musicians in the world. I am truly fortunate to be able
to do both. Playing with the CSO and NYP gives me rare, valuable insight into
the world for which I am preparing my students.
When thinking about this entry, I paused to reflect on each
teacher I have ever had…from kindergarten to present time. I have been
fortunate to have had amazing teachers. All of my teachers believed in me and
let me know it. I can remember each of my teachers’ names and am surprised when
others cannot recall the names of all theirs. It could be evidence that I
retain all sorts of bizarre information (often to the neglect of the
pertinent), it could reflect how good the teachers were or, most probably, it
represents the esteem in which I held my teachers. My dad was the band director
at my school, so I had more involvement with my teachers…I also was expected to
behave or news would travel quickly!
Here are the traits I appreciate in teachers:
•Interest, knowledge and demonstrated ability in their
subject matter coupled with the ability to transfer their knowledge.
•Being highly demanding in a gentle, empathic way.
•Sense of humor
•Honesty and sincere care for the student
•Reliability
•Encouraging demeanor
•Versatile approach and flexibility of application
A great teacher is one that can inspire great things from
their students using whatever means available and necessary. Not all students
are studying the subject that they have the most aptitude for. One difficult
task of a teacher is to communicate their assessment of the student’s ability
to the student. There have been many examples of a teacher saying. “you will
never make it” only to be proven wrong. As a teacher I will try to never speak in
such definitives. Being honest can be a very difficult task. Since students and
their families are paying such exorbitant prices for university/conservatory
study, I believe that they should all be made aware of my opinion of their
chances of success. If they don’t agree with me and want to switch to another
teacher, I am all for it.
I always encourage my students to take lessons from other
teachers. When I hear of other teachers getting upset with this practice, I
wonder who the teacher is more concerned for…the student or their own ego.
The best situations are when there is a symbiotic
relationship between teacher and student. The teacher motivates the student who
in turn shows improvement which then inspires the teacher to motivate the
student…etc.
NOTICE:
To Students, don’t waste the teacher’s time but not
practicing.
NOTICE:
To Teachers, don’t waste the student’s time and money by not
being involved.
We are all a unique mosaic of what we have chosen to accept
and reject and not everyone will succeed. Success, however, has many “looks.”
There are lots of ways to be successful. In my opinion, if happiness is
achieved then success has been attained.
I am sad that teachers are not compensated better, but it is
what it is. No musician or teacher enters the profession for monetary reasons.
It is more a matter of being led to the profession. If you want to make a
million, go into something else. If you want to influence and enrich lives, go
for it.