Although it is easy to get fixated on the negative aspects of anything (especially when it is a busy season), there are truly so many reasons why I feel lucky to be a teacher! Here are just five of my favorite reasons for doing what we do:
1. The students
First and foremost, I love my students! They are the reason for all the preparation, behind-the-scenes work, and late nights. When I get caught up in paperwork, it’s good to take a step back and remember that our work with students is the most important part. I love when a student walks in excited for a lesson; is there any better way to get energized quickly? It makes the day go by so fast when you have great students.
2. The variety
Teaching means that every single day is different. Different atmosphere, different goals, different activities. For me, even my schedule is different from day to day. And I like that! It keeps me on my toes. One day may start with Mozart, move on to lesson planning, and then finish with a themed recital!
3.The laughter
I love when lessons are fun. I believe firmly in hard work and goal planning, but along the way, why not enjoy some laughter? From fresh games to working on projects together and sharing inside jokes, lessons can be a source of happiness for everyone involved.
4. The repertoire
As a pianist, we have an enormous amount of repertoire from which to choose. It is impossible to play all of it, but as a teacher, we have a chance to learn that much more music. When students learn a piece, I am learning it too. And there is some great music out there!
5. The mission
Being a teacher means getting to help someone with their dreams. If my student wants to play for a musical, I can help prepare her. If he wants to learn chords so he can play at church, I can help him do that. And no matter if students choose it as a career or not, I hope they will always have a love for music and take away many skills learned during their time in piano lessons.
Do you have something to add to this list from your personal experiences? Share in the comments below!
Dr. Olivia Ellis teaches piano, group piano, pedagogy, and chamber music at Messiah University in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. She’s an editor for Piano Magazine and has published several books including the Easy Piano Lead Sheets and Chord Charts series. She’s constantly creating new activities and games to teach concepts, and loves helping other teachers find their niche.
