KNOW YOUR EXPECTATIONS

Just as the new teacher will have different expectations of the new student, you should be aware of what your own expectations are of the new teacher. Finding a teacher who seems to have very high credentials and a studio full of star performers does NOT mean that teacher can make your daughter/son into another star performer, and certainly not overnight. Remember that a good student will progress despite a bad teacher, and a bad student will fail despite a good teacher.

Although the decision to change is probably for good reasons, and the new teacher is likely to be much better for the student, the rate of change and progress will be much slower than you expect. If a student progressed at a certain rate with the old teacher, it is not likely that the same student will progress twice or three times faster with a better teacher. On the contrary, it is quite likely that during the transition period so many issues have to be addressed and so much catch up material learned, that the student may seem not to progress at all. This is reality, and sometimes difficult to grasp completely.

In the beginning of a transition, the parents MUST be in attendance at the lesson (every week for at least 6 months). Personal observation will help you understand how the transition is going, and whether you must adjust your own personal expectations.

1. Does the new teacher present at least one NEW thing at each lesson?
2. Does the student understand the new teacher and answer questions correctly?
3. Does the teacher give specific instructions of WHAT and HOW to practice?
4. Does the student understand the weekly instructions and apply them during home practice?
5. Does the new teacher explain things in different ways when the student seems not to understand?
6. Does the student demonstrate new knowledge and skill each week?

Just as an employer will provide orientation and training to a new employee, a teacher of a transfer student will always give specific goals and tasks to the new student which can be measured easily. If you cannot answer "yes" to the above six questions, discuss these issues with your new teacher to get a better understanding of the goals and tasks expected at each lesson. Placing your faith in clear observations is the best way to measure progress.