Sunday, October 31, 2010

The perfect student

http://www.umanitoba.ca/faculties/arts/economics/cameron/success.html

A sampling: Click above for the entire article:

The "A" Student - An Outstanding Student

  • ATTENDANCE: "A" students have virtually perfect attendance. Their commitment to the class is a high priority and exceeds other temptations.
  • PREPARATION: "A" students are prepared for class. They always read the assignment. Their attention to detail is such that they occasionally can elaborate on class examples.
  • CURIOSITY: "A" students demonstrate interest in the class and the subject. They look up or dig out what they don't understand. They often ask interesting questions or make thoughtful comments.

The "C" Student - An Average Student

  • ATTENDANCE: "C" students are often late and miss class frequently. They put other priorities ahead of academic work. In some cases, their health or constant fatigue renders them physically unable to keep up with the demands of high-level performance.
  • PREPARATION: "C" students may prepare their assignments consistently, but often in a perfunctory manner. Their work may be sloppy or careless. At times, it is incomplete or late.
  • CURIOSITY: "C" students seldom explore topics deeper than their face value. They lack vision and bypass interconnectedness of concepts. Immediate relevancy is often their singular test for involvement.

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Marketing piano lessons

1. Book yourself solid, by Michael Port


2.Promotion your teaching Studio, by Philip Johnston


3.Reinvention by Brian Tracy


4. Time Power by Brian Tracy


5. Snap Selling, by Jill Konrath


6. Success Magazine


An excellent start for all of those wishing to increase the size of their studios. I have used them all to profitable effect.


David Story

Sunday, October 24, 2010

Parents: How to raise a creative genius

http://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/10/22/motivation.kids/?hpt=Sbin

What motivates a passion for learning, and achievement? High achieving kids say that they have a natural drive to challenge themselves, but parents have also opened their world with opportunities to excel.

Parents should observe and cheer on their children, but should not be attached to outcomes, said said Robyn McKay, a psychologist and creativity researcher at Arizona State University. Some kids will rebel and drop an activity if they believe their parents have too many expectations about it.


See link above for more details.


Cheers,
David Story

Monday, October 11, 2010

First Meeting and lesson with a transfer student

First impressions count.

  • At the first class clarify the goals and intentions of the student
  • Understand why they are changing teachers
  • Establish or reestablish your credentials to teach what they want to learn
  • Outline your expectations
  • Get their name right, and confirm you have the correct contact information
  • Immediately engage them is work
Cheers,

David Story
Publicity Hamilton Ormta

Sunday, October 3, 2010

Professional Presentation Part One

1. A professional has a business card that is not homemade, and is specific to teaching.

2. A professional has a website that is:
  • Bright and Cheerful
  • Owned by the professional i.e. your own domain name
  • Full of content: the more expensive the purchase the more people will read
  • Constantly evolving: Google loves this
  • Linked, lots of links, both inbound and outbound: Google loves this
  • Not cheesy in it’s look or worse BORING: Prospect killer--you look cheap or amateurish
  • Highlighting student successes: Blow your horn
  • Making it easy for the prospect to buy: Ka-ching $$
3. A professional protects their image.

Cheers,

David Story

Sunday, September 26, 2010

Professional Skills and New Students

September 24ths workshop I gave at Long and McQuade Burlington was a lot of fun. A full house of teachers shared ideas on student retention and professional happiness. Key ideas: its about the students, communicating with parents and professional skill development.

Each new skill attracts a new type of student. Each new type of student = a growing and diverse student body = more income. Each new skill broadens our reach and the depth of our knowledge. New skills keep us fresh.

Cheers,
David

Monday, September 20, 2010

Workshop Friday September 24th Long and McQuade Burlington

Five days to go to Friday morning’s workshop at Long and McQuade Burlington. I’m looking forward to sharing ideas with colleagues on helping our students achieve more satisfying results and exciting musical experiences, including 80 things a student should know before attempting grade 1 piano and improvisation in classical music.


Free: email Karen kthornton@long-mcquade.com


David Story