Teachers – what’s the secret to really connecting with your students? Developing a great relationships with students is a key to success. Read on as Denver music teacher Kristopher E. explains…
Education is a journey shared by teacher and student alike, and the journey is that much more enjoyable when it is a musical one. I work in a high-risk school district as a brass instructor and substitute teacher, and I want to share two of the most important lessons that I have learned over the passed two years: communication and being positive.
When I first began teaching in Colorado, I was used to years of having a staff to work with, being in complete control of all situations (because any defiance was completely unacceptable), and teaching in private schools. For a while, I tried that method in these public schools, and although we accomplished things, I don’t think there was a good amount of communication going on.
Any adult can demand something from a student: “If you do that one more time you are going to the office!” When a teacher raises their voice, it can be a very scary situation for a child. But that isn’t what teaching is about. That is fear, an unacceptable method of communication.
If we expect something from our students, we need to keep in mind that they are also human beings with feelings and personalities. It is sometimes hard to believe this in today’s world, but kindness and being positive is the way to go.
I have found that students respond very well when you don’t pick on them for every little thing that they do wrong. Yes, mention that you notice their misdemeanors from time to time, but don’t send them to the brig. Your classroom is not a naval ship, nor is it a military camp. Please, don’t teach if you treat kids in this way. Join the military, because I am sure they could use someone like you!
Encourage students to make positive choices, and especially encourage the ones that struggle to do those things. Spend time congratulating the students that excel, but make an equally big deal about a struggling student making huge leaps in the right direction.
Most importantly, learn what your students are like. Can you incorporate their interests into the lesson? Maybe they like a particular song and you can give them a sheet or teach them how to play their favorite song – and yes, transpose this into a key they know!
Communicate and build rapport with students. Like I said, they are human beings and the teacher cannot afford to be seen as a ruthless dictator who will yell at Johnny because he moved his seat five inches, or at Agatha for whispering to her stand partner. Although the teacher has an authority over the students, there needs to be an equal partnership.
Once you have established your expectations and have patiently guided your students towards meeting those expectations. Once you have shown them that you are not out to get them into trouble and that you are actually there to guide them into having fun while learning, they are going to open up to you and the real journey will begin. And let me tell you, that the real journey is extremely rewarding.
Teachers, how do you build rapport with your own music students? Leave a comment below!
Kristopher E. teaches piano, music theory, trumpet and French horn lessons in Denver, CO. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Music from CUNY Hunter College, and his specialty is teaching classical music. Learn more about Kristopher, or search for a teacher near you!
Photo by woodleywonderworks
Suzy S.