5 Ways To Stay Motivated as a Music Teacher

We all know how difficult it is to stay motivated all the time. Both in the practice of the instrument and in being a good music teacher. We always find ourselves fighting, for example, against the weather that sometimes never seems to be enough for the preparation of a song/lesson. But also having a family, a health problem, school organizations, doing the same work for years, students who drive us crazy or who don’t bring the results we would like, maybe some things that lower the level of our motivation.
Below you will find 5 ways to be motivated as a music teacher!

1. PARTICIPATES TO WORKSHOPS, CONFERENCES, LECTURES, SEMINARS ON PEDAGOGY.

We must always improve our teaching. Look for new methods, update your resources, buy new music books or start a new course of study. We must always try to keep up with new technologies (because remember that the new students of the new generations are born with iPads and tablets in hand!) and with new visions of teaching. Look on the internet in your area or in the nearby schools/conservatories, or you can always follow some courses via the internet.

2. KEEP YOUR LIFE ACTIVE AS A MUSICIAN.

In this, I’m still struggling a bit. I have become a music teacher, I have found work and I also teach privately. Personally, I waste a lot of my time in the preparation of the lessons and when my day ends (which is fully surrounded by children) the concentration to practice the instrument fades. I don’t know if it happens to you, but we have to be able to cultivate what we are called to teach for. Maybe through masterclasses or advanced courses or simply through concerts. Join the local choir? To get involved with a band or ensemble? Accompany other musicians? Composing your own music?
MAKE MUSIC!

3. CONNECT WITH IN YOUR STUDENTS.

Having students who don’t give you the satisfaction you want, I think it has happened to any teacher in the world. But we have to understand that we have our history behind us and each student is different. Each pupil may have different ages, different school backgrounds, different teachers before you, maybe he or she is going through a difficult period or just not as interested in music as he or she should be. It’s up to us to understand our students. Asking and communicating with them allows us to understand what we may miss or what they may miss during the lesson. Sometimes it takes very little to make a frustrating lesson for both of us, an active and creative lesson. Let’s connect with our students, ask for feedback and what we can improve for them.

4. ORGANISE YOURSELF.

We must never exaggerate with our limits. Too many students? Are you busy at work? Are you stressed? It’s time to take a break. Don’t you think you can keep everything in order between the different classes or students? Make a plan and organize yourself with goals that can be reached in the short term! You don’t find the time to play or do concerts and this makes you unmotivated? Then it’s time to find this time and make some sacrifices in your life as a teacher!
Look for something you’ve never done before. For example, organize the essay in a different place, collaborate with another teacher perhaps to organize a musical recital mixed with the theatre, organize a lesson with parents, go to follow the lesson of a colleague of yours.
It’s difficult to stay motivated but you can do it!

5. RESPECT YOURSELF.

Have you studied for years at conservatories and universities? Or have you attended courses or private lessons that allow you to convey your passion in the right way? Do you know that you have the qualities to teach music? Then try to keep your head always high. We still live in a world where making music means having to answer the question “What else do you do to live?”. You always have to consider yourself a professional who has to be respected. Respect yourself, but above all have your students (and parents) respect you. Don’t forget you’re doing an important and special job. Maybe today you will inspire a future Beethoven or Freddie Mercury. So stay motivated!

Maybe you are interested on my post about:

HOW TO ORGANIZE YOUR FIRST MUSIC LESSON

15 BEST MUSIC EDUCATION WEBSITES