The Joys of Teaching

I teach piano at The Music School, and for the most part I love it. It has been a great experience for me, but it does have its irritating moments. One irritating element of teaching: dealing with the parents.

The Director of Education at the school (coolest woman in the world) sent me an email to give me a heads up about a call I might be receiving from one of the parents. Apparently the woman called the school to report her "disgust with me." She told them that I'm always canceling without giving sufficient notice and blah blah blah. I guess she was just incredibly angry about the whole thing. I thought it was funny because I do try to give her sufficient notice, but oh well. I called her, fully expecting to get chewed out, and looking forward to it, frankly. Sometimes I just love being able to put people in their place, you know? And I wouldn't be too heart-broken if she moved her kids to a different teacher, either. One of her sons is the kind who must be right no matter what.

ME: "Don't play like that. It's bad for your wrists."

HIM: "No it's not! I play like this all the time."

ME: (In a sarcastic tone) "Oh! Excuse me! You must be right, then! You in your six years of experience in this world must know more about the piano than I do. You just keep playing like that, son. Enjoy carpal tunnel. STUPID HEAD!!!"

Ok, maybe I don't say that to him, but you get the idea. Anyway, I called this woman this morning, fully prepared to give her options to switch teachers, lesson times, anything. I also was expecting her to chew me out just a little bit, which is why I was so surprised when I talked to her. She was as nice as can be! When I asked her if she wanted to switch teachers, she said, "No! Of course not!"

Ugh. You know, if you're going to call my employers and complain to them about me, I'd appreciate it if you at least have the decency to voice your complaints to me. Don't pretend like everything is fine and dandy when you talk to me. Have the courage to insult me to my face, why don't you? Hahaha. Sometimes people bother me.

Quote: I wish people who have trouble communicating would just shut up. --Tom Lehrer (1928 - )