What’s a hot topic amongst piano teachers? It’s probably a pretty well-matched tug-of-war between make-up lessons and piano lesson payments. There’s nothing that gets us fired up more than a) losing our personal time and b) not being paid!
My motto is to be positive, as life is short – it’s very rare that you’ll see me dwelling on the negative… but at times I too feel like screaming to the wild Canadian breezes… “Would you please just cough up the cash?!!!”
And while there are literally hundreds of different policies, algorithms, wording, threats, mathematical sequences and iron-clad contract agreements that attempt to fix this problem, it comes down to one simple thing: you will deal with these problems at some point in your career.
So, instead of dwelling, we’re going to collaboratively complain… because if you can’t laugh about it you’ll drive yourself crazy.
As some of you know I’m a “poet who didn’t know it” (ha ha, yeah right) and our previous collaborative poem was a smash hit. So here we go again… we’re finding solace in knowing that this is a profession-wide problem… and that life. goes. on.
I’ll get us started and then we’d love for you to chime in with your own verse in the comment section below. We’ll choose one fantastic submission at random and the winner will receive a copy of The Curious Case of Muttzart and Ratmaninoff (the ultimate way to start your teaching day with a giggle).
Here we go!…
A Collaborative Poem
I have yet to find a teacher
with a page that didn’t feature
the why and how and when there should be money.
But yet the cheques they bounce,
and the clients do announce
that the payment will be made the week here after.
And so we still continue on
teaching their kids Ben and John,
and we do so ‘cuz we love those two to bits.
Yet when the Mom’s mercedes fades
(as she waves through Gucci shades)
we grit our teeth so hard they almost crumble.
And when Amy’s lesson’s done
and our evening’s just begun,
there’s no car there in the driveway to receive her.
So we sit and shoot the breeze
checking our watch thinking “Jeeze!”
Until her family ambles in to come collect her.
Then there’s “I forgot my cash!”
and “I’ll bring it in a flash…
but there’s a party so I’ll just subtract that lesson?”
And there’s “Henry’s feeling sick…
can we make this one up quick?”
And your smile, it is fading by the hour.
There’s phone calls, texts and emails
and reminders to the females
in each family ’bout the payments that are due.
And yet they somehow go un-read,
(what’s she reading, then, instead?)
And we start to think there’s got to be an answer.
But each time I do my shopping
and watch the girl there who is mopping
up the spilled and smashed display of mushroom soup,
as I hear her softly curse
(in a voice that is quite terse)
I’m reminded that each job has it’s own struggles.
So I’m asking all you teachers
“Hit the keyboard!” and let’s feature
the frustrations that you deal with day to day.
Cuz if we can’t all have a giggle
than those annoyances they niggle
and we need to do this all again tomorrow!
Okay TPT readers… let’s see your poetry chops! Write your own verse in the comment section below to be entered to win. If you’re already a proud owner of Muttzart and Ratmaninoff you can choose a different book in it’s place!
Gary Johnston says
As we struggle to be fiscally reliant
It’s a job to find a parent who’s compliant
Though the policies all state
That a payment that is late
Will be fined and all lessons terminated.
They’re off to Disney end of March
But they’re weekends, by and large
will be free for any make-ups you may offer
“We know that you’ll be free
‘Cause your schedule we did see
and all day Sat and Sun are simply yours to proffer”
They drop them at the door
sometimes three or four
will wait outside the door the room your teaching
As you put them through their paces
you have to stop and tie shoe laces
wipe noses, hands and even messy faces
So you do what you have to do
hand out crayons, blocks and glue
as you try to be agreeable and kind
Because besides a darn fine teacher
They find you’re a whole lot cheaper
Than any babysitter they can find
Andrea says
Gary – my home studio waiting area (way back when) sounds EXACTLY like yours! I love the effort you put into this one… you’re a poet who didn’t know it too! LOL
Gary Johnston says
Thanks, Andrea. As we like to joke here “You’re a poet and don’t realize it”! 🙂
I love you site and products and use them all the time. I will be using Muttzart and Ratmaninoff for the first time this upcoming season.
Have a great summer!
Gary
Krysti Schey says
So I try not to have a fit,
Out of mind, and try to forget.
‘Perhaps they’ll send their payment through the mail.’
So I breathe a heavy sigh
Then look upward to the sky
and ask the Lord for grace and lots of patience!
Andrea says
Great one Krysti!
Amy G says
Ok – here goes!
The early drop off and the late pick up always gives me a sigh,
As I never thought I’d end up a babysitter – oh my!
But at the end of the day, I always do say,
No pay is better than a bounced cheque – touché!
It’s part of our great job, take with a grain of salt,
After all, it’s certainly not Bobby or Jenny’s fault!!
Hope you can relate and thanks for the chance at winning your book! 🙂
Andrea says
Yes I can relate 🙂 Thank goodness for Bobby and Jenny, yes?! LOL
Deb B says
The clock strikes 4:00 and I look outside to see
Where little Johnny might be
Late again, or is he a no-show?
He makes me wonder if I should let him go!
Then comes Mary who’s as bright as can be
She’s on time and practices with glee
Always prompt and brings her books
I give her many favorable looks!
Here comes Suzie, on time but with no check
I’ll bring it next week, if I’m not in a wreck!
Reminders, and pleading don’t seem to work
Trying to get paid for this job is certainly not a perk!
But the smile of a student who has worked really hard
Makes me forget it all and let down my guard
It’s these kids that make it all worth while
That makes me want to keep going that extra mile!
These two items are definitely the most frustrating part of teaching! Loved your post today! 😉
Andrea says
Nice work Bev! Love it 🙂
Kim Ivezich says
It’s four o’clock on Friday
“I’ll come in and pay!”, they say
but the sun came out and noone shows for lessons.
The summer break is on
debt collection chances gone
Until I see them in the fall for registration.
Andrea says
Oh Kim…. I can relate 🙂
Christine says
Drop-Off/Pick-Up
Please drop off your child at 1:15
and pick her up at 2.
Mom says, “I really have to shop,
so 12:45 will do.”
I say, “But her lesson is not
until 1:15!”
Mom says, “Well don’t get to hot!
What else do you have to do?”
Maura says
They say they will be there,
but alas they don’t show
No word from them either,
totally breaking my flow!
Then 15 minutes into lesson time,
I hear the phone begin to chime.
“So sorry we’re calling so late,
we have a soccer tournament on this date.
I know your policy about no shows and payment,
but for us you don’t really mean it!”
I hang up the phone and then hang my head,
“There’s got to be a better way!” I said.
But then comes Alyssa, my star student so eager,
her love and her passion make it all worth this living, so meager!
Judy says
This is so far beyond LOL I have no words for it!! Amazing that we all deal with primarily the SAME two thorns! You really made my day — nice especially after my only student today never appeared. 🙁
Thanks again!
Beth says
No make-ups for vacations & sports
That can’t possibly apply to us, of course,
Because “it’s for the children” they say.
For no extra time will we take up
Because it’s not really a make-up
Hockey and Disney and dance, oh my!
Sarai Brinker says
A new student and her mom arrive
full of questions, right on time
I think this is a great beginning
and for a moment, I think I’m winning
But right after they say hello
Mom asks, “so do you think we need a piano?”
Well of course you do!