Hello, PMA teachers!
This is the first edition of a weekly email that you will receive from me that contains helpful information, tips/tricks, and updates from the front desk/management. We are striving to create an efficient, seamless, and clear avenue for communication, and our hope is that keeping in touch and checking in each week will streamline the process.
This week’s topic focuses on some concerns when waiting for students or enjoying a break in your schedule. Breaks or cancellations can be absolutely critical in giving us a chance to mentally reset, collect ourselves, enjoy a bite to eat, or take care of any small tasks. While it is imperative for us to savor that time to ourselves, it is also equally important for us to be mindful of our presence during those breaks.
Please be aware that the front desk must be open and available for clients to approach and ask for help/check in/take care of any instrument concerns. There has been some recent concern over teachers unintentionally blocking the desk or lingering too closely to the desk, causing clients to believe that staff is busy with other obligations. It is likely not on purpose, but please make sure that you stay clear of the desk if you have a break or are waiting for your student to avoid any confusion or cluster of bodies up front.
Teaching can also be a very mentally taxing and tiring job, especially if you are working other jobs, taking care of your family, working long hours without a gap in your schedule, or dealing with other stressors. Rest is of utmost importance, as we need our minds to be sharp in order to stay engaged and on top of our teaching game. If you do have a gap and are feeling fatigued/burnt out from the day, please take some time to yourself in your room, your car, or on a walk and refresh your mind. You may sit and relax in the lobby chairs, but please be mindful of your body language/aura. The front desk has received a few concerns over teachers appearing “tired”, “frumpy”, and “unhappy”. As a parent/teacher/gym lover/gigging musician, I completely empathize with regard to being exhausted. Sometimes we just need five minutes to recover and get our minds clear before we tackle the next handful of lessons. Enjoy the free time, reset, and do your best to power through the rest of the day.
You are absolutely welcome to stand in your doorway or off to the side of it, to have a seat in the lobby/outdoor benches, to wait in your room, or to walk around the lot/to QT/to your car if you have a confirmed cancellation. Please note that if your student has not cancelled but is not present, our policy states that you must wait 15 minutes for them to be officially marked as a “no-call no-show”.
Warmest regards,
Daniel Christensen
Lead Music Teacher