Every week, you pour out into the lives of your music students and invest in their learning process and education–but how often do you intentionally invest in yourself as a piano teacher?
If investing in yourself is on your radar, then I applaud you!
But if that is not you and the thought of starting to invest in yourself as a piano teacher completely overwhelms you, don’t hit the “exit” button yet!
Before you stress out about not having enough time to invest in yourself as a piano teacher, I encourage you to read our recent blog post, How to Set Low-Stress Routines as Piano Teachers with Amy Elmore.
She shares a lot of great points that relieve the pressure so you can free up time to invest in yourself as a piano teacher.
Why it is important to invest in yourself as a piano teacher
First and foremost, you need to be refilled and refueled as a human being.
While teaching often energizes us, it can also deplete us in many ways.
Being intentional about “filling ourselves back up” will help us be even better teachers and equip us to better help those around us.
Not to mention that there is SO much for us to learn!
I love these two quotes:
“Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young.” – Henry Ford
“Intellectual growth should commence at birth and cease only at death.” – Albert Einstein
Investing in yourself as a piano teacher simply means making it a goal to continue learning and growing.
I asked a group of piano teachers what they do to keep learning, and they brought up some stellar suggestions.
Here are 30 ways to invest in yourself as a piano teacher. I am writing these points without specific application because I want you to choose your topic of interest and apply the principles so you can keep learning in whatever field you choose (it might not even be music!).
1. Teach
You’re probably already doing this one, so congratulate yourself.
Remember that when you teach, you also learn.
2. Read books
And by “reading” I mean paperback, ebook, or audiobook.
Intentionally log some words by experts on topics that interest you.
Need ideas where to start?
Read our post, 6 Inspiring Books for Piano Teachers to Read in 2023.
3. Study
Studying is different from reading.
Instead of just plowing through books, slow down to take notes, do the suggested work, and take the quizzes.
Maybe find another teacher to read through a book so you can discuss it and better apply it.
4. Write
Just like teaching helps us learn, writing also helps us learn.
It helps us learn about ourselves, it helps us process the things we’ve read and studied, and it helps us sort our thoughts.
5. Research
Pull out Google and look things up.
Contact professionals in the field.
Check out reference books from the library.
Dig into research that others have done.
6.Blogs
There are many excellent voices who share their wisdom in blogs instead of books.
Sign up for their email lists so you’ll be notified of new posts. Read their backlist.
7. Podcasts
Yet another way you can glean from experts is to catch their podcast episodes.
Follow podcasters on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or other podcast apps.
8. YouTube
Millions of tutorials and educational talks are provided on YouTube for free!
This is a goldmine that you can glean from!
9. Webinars
Free or paid, find some webinars by individuals you look up to.
Make the time to catch them live and interact with the speakers.
10. Workshops
Whether in-person or online, find workshops that will heighten your knowledge in a field.
11. Master Classes
We can learn a lot by sitting in and watching others teach.
12. Conferences
Give yourself a vacation weekend and attend that conference you’ve been considering.
13. Courses
Enroll in a course–and then schedule weekly time to focus on working through the course.
14. Teacher mind groups/Zoom meetings
Since 2020, there are a lot of virtual mind groups or teacher meetings that you can join.
One you can start with is Amy Elmore’s free Piano Teacher Happy Hour every 2nd Friday.
15. Network with local teacher organization
See if there is a local piano teacher group you can network with.
If there isn’t one, consider starting one.
16. Join MTNA
Become an MTNA member and join your local chapter.
17. Get a mentor/coach
Get 1:1 coaching from an expert and do the work they assign you.
18. Business summit
Be intentional about learning how to better run your piano teaching business.
19. State/local teacher events
Search for local events and become a part.
20. Festivals
Having your students join festivals will give you great feedback.
It can help you learn your strengths and weaknesses as a teacher.
21. Study method books
Don’t just stick to the method books you’ve always known.
Try out new ones.
Read through them.
Compare notes.
Learn from the different pedagogical approaches.
22. Study theory books
Different theory books will explain concepts differently.
There is a lot one can glean from them.
23. Take private lessons
Become a student again and take private lessons.
It doesn’t even have to be piano.
Learning a different instrument (or even a sport) will give you new insight into your students’ experience and help you become a better teacher.
24. Learn new pieces
We will never learn all there is to learn out there, and we will never arrive.
Even if repertoire is “easy” for you, there is so much you can learn from it!
25. Perform
Performing the pieces you’ve learned will bring your learning to a deeper level.
Schedule performance days at a local nursing home, coffee shop, or other location.
Or, if you’re tech savvy, perform live on Instagram or YouTube.
26. Collaborate
Working with other musicians will teach you a lot, especially if they’re experts in a different instrument.
27. Join a choir/orchestra
Working under a conductor will give you ample opportunities to learn music from a different perspective than private lessons.
28. Watch great performances
While YouTube is a great resource for endless performances, remember to also look up local live performances to attend.
29. Watch lectures
Just as with performances, you can find lectures on YouTube or attend local events.
30. Ask questions
The best way you can keep learning and investing in yourself as a piano teacher is to ask questions.
Never stop asking questions, and you’ll never stop learning.
Would you add anything to this list?
What do you do to invest in yourself as a piano teacher?
Comment and share!
Thanks to Rami B, Russ B., Clarissa P., Cristina M., Jessica Y., Jason S., Sharon B., Mary M., Melody P., Sean-David M., Lynn D., Andrew F., Laura B., Melissa L., Robin K., Yufen C., Isabella T., Bernie S., Tiffany H., Lea Pearson., Joni F., Joanne B., Karen H., Shirley W., Debbie P., Brian S., Mark W., Geoffrey K., Liss F., Sharon B., Isabella T., Sara P., Mary M., Gayle D., Lea P., Wendy C., Cyndi V.A., Lina L., Melissa G., Lauren T., Veronica O., and Thorsteinn G. for sharing how you invest in yourself as a piano teacher.
You may also like…
- 101 Ideas for Piano Teacher Self-Care
- 12 Reasons You Should Not Give Up Teaching Piano
- 5 Ways to Help Piano Students Form Atomic Habits
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