Teaching disaster...I need a new one

2512 Views 17 Replies 7 Participants Last post by SAXISMYAXE, Sep 4, 2007

Crissax

Discussion Starter · Aug 18, 2007 (Edited)

Teaching disaster...update!

So my new teacher has turned out to be a disaster. The first week he was 4 hours late, the second week there was a "death" in the family that was told to me the minute my lesson was supposed to start. Today he didn't show up and didn't even call me to explain! I'm through with him.:?

I need a teacher in Miami and I'm hoping you guys can help me. I haven't had much luck in those listing sites. Thanks.

1 - 18 of 18 Posts

saxjuss

· #2 · Aug 19, 2007

hehe

it may be just bad luck,be with him for 2 months to see exactly how does he teach adn how he makes to hour

good luck

Jolle

· #3 · Aug 21, 2007

If a teacher can't be in time, his teaching ability might very well be as sloppy as his timing.

Look for a new one, indeed. And in case you still consider it : don't pay another dime to that fella.

Crissax

Discussion Starter · #4 · Aug 21, 2007

He hasn't done as much as emailed or called me since the missed appointment on Saturday. That was the third strike. I've been looking for another teacher since. Still looking...

Canadiain

· #5 · Aug 21, 2007

Hmm, maybe you should make like the Airlines and request to see a copy of the death certificate:twisted:

If there was a death of a loved one, then I am not really surprised there has been no contact...somethings are more important than sax lessons. When my mum died I had to return to England and left work without so much as an out of office email notification or a change in my voice mail message....thinking of others is not top of the "to do" list.

I could well be that he is a no good time waster, but if it was true, then you would look pretty bad to kick him when hes down....

Crissax

Discussion Starter · #6 · Aug 21, 2007

I thought about that Canadian, but the "death" happened 2 weeks ago, he missed last week's appointment and no word from him. It's just suspicious. When the "death" happened I was texted about it at 4 pm...the exact time my class was supposed to start. That's just a little coincidental.

Steve P

· #7 · Aug 21, 2007

You might get in touch with Gary Keller at UMiami. I am sure one of his students would be looking to teach. College kids are more reliable with teaching I find, because they are already in a program in which you are expected to always be on time (read: 10 minutes early), prepared, and ready to work. I am a MM student myself, and teach privately in addition to my University teaching, and I can say with 100% confidence that I have not canceled a lesson in the past year. I always try to let my students/parents know a month in advance when I will be out of town as well.

So, I would say check around the University. What college (music) student isn't looking to teach and make an extra buck or two!?

Steve P

PS- I'm a South Florida boy as well. The corn fields where I am now do not hold anything to the Atlantic. How I miss it!!

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Canadiain

· #8 · Aug 21, 2007

Crissax said:
I thought about that Canadian, but the "death" happened 2 weeks ago, he missed last week's appointment and no word from him. It's just suspicious. When the "death" happened I was texted about it at 4 pm...the exact time my class was supposed to start. That's just a little coincidental.

Oh , I agree, I just thought it might be fun to see what would happen...

Crissax

Discussion Starter · #9 · Aug 22, 2007

Steve P said:
You might get in touch with Gary Keller at UMiami. I am sure one of his students would be looking to teach. College kids are more reliable with teaching I find, because they are already in a program in which you are expected to always be on time (read: 10 minutes early), prepared, and ready to work. I am a MM student myself, and teach privately in addition to my University teaching, and I can say with 100% confidence that I have not canceled a lesson in the past year. I always try to let my students/parents know a month in advance when I will be out of town as well.

So, I would say check around the University. What college (music) student isn't looking to teach and make an extra buck or two!?

Steve P

PS- I'm a South Florida boy as well. The corn fields where I am now do not hold anything to the Atlantic. How I miss it!!

Steve...can you be my best friend?

Seriously...you don't realize what a great idea that sounds like. I was beginning to feel like I was running out of options. I heard of Gary Keller, I'll shoot him an email.

Canadian...be good.

Face Ache Mike

· #10 · Aug 22, 2007

Maybe it was his own "death"? :evil:

Jolle

· #11 · Aug 22, 2007

Did you try to call him to ask when the next class is? He might have some explanation, or you'll be sure it wasn't just due to serious grieve.

Steve P

· #12 · Aug 22, 2007

Crissax,
No problem

Steve P

Crissax

Discussion Starter · #13 · Aug 22, 2007

Jolle, I texted him on Saturday and no response. He finally emailed me this morning apologizing and saying that he had a last minute gig in LA. and it was all stressful and that's why he didn't call. He proposed doing classes on weekdays instead so it would be more predicatable.

Fine, he went to LA....couldn't he have taken 5 minutes to text me?

...i sent an email to Gary Keller last nite. Eagerly waiting a response...

Jolle

· #14 · Aug 22, 2007

Thought so already, just double checking. Good luck with your new teacher

Steve P

· #15 · Aug 22, 2007

Stress or not, there is no excuse for not showing up and then not answering phone calls/messages. No matter how busy you are, it takes 30 seconds to make a call, and less than that to send a text or email.

Steve P

Crissax

Discussion Starter · #16 · Aug 24, 2007

Gary Keller responded

Said he will ask around to see if anyone wants a student. So I will see. If nothing comes up I can always have Miami-Dade College as a backup for 3 months.

Crissax

Discussion Starter · #17 · Sep 4, 2007

I have a teacher! ...for now.

Well I did ask Gary Keller for a student to teach me. But the student needed to stay in Coral Gables and I rely on public transportation

He was charging $50 which was way out of my budget. In my experience these past few weeks I notice the teachers with a lot more experience charge significantly less, why is that?

So I enrolled for private lessons at Miami-Dade College for 7 weeks with a teacher named Carlos Averhoff from Cuba. Lessons start next Sat. I'm excited and feel a bit of relief that there's finally something set up.

SAXISMYAXE

· #18 · Sep 4, 2007

Glad you have a new teacher. It sounds like your old one might have had a little "party favor" problem to me.

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