Did you know that most instrumental music teachers work from home?

Well, they do.

From their own living room, in their own safe space. They invite music students in, and they teach them.

Music teachers have been working from home since long before COVID.

Now, I know this is not true for all of you. Some of you might prefer teaching in student’s homes, as I once did, or you may even be fortunate enough to have a studio.

But many of us work from home.

There are so many good reasons why; that’s where the music resources are, it cuts out the commute, and (especially if you teach piano) you can control the quality of the instrument being played by the student at least once a week.

But how do we switch off?

All teachers struggle with this. I hear it every day at work, and I’m sure all of you do too.

“I just wish I had a job that I didn’t keep thinking about all the time!”

all teachers.

Students demand our mental and emotional energy. Seemingly always.

So how, when they are coming into your own home, do you set good work boundaries?

My most terrifying mentor teacher had a saying. I’m certain you’ve all heard it.

‘Work smarter, not harder.’

Her theory was that there was always a simpler way to achieve the same outcome. And most of the time she was right; there was no need to reinvent the wheel.

So why, music teachers, do we constantly do it? We push ourselves to create a new resource, just for that one student who needs it, or plan for several hours to make sure that little Johnny finally stays interested this week.

There’s no quick way to stop this. It takes discipline to switch off.

But as you know, it’s classic free resource Thursday, and I have something for you that I really do hope will help.

Presenting our Lesson Notes Template!

Packed full of advice, as well as a snazzy template to support giving your students meaningful guidance through the week, may it begin your journey to be a more rested music teacher.

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Oh no, it looks like you missed out on our free resource! Don’t worry, if you look through our most recent blog posts, you will probably find another one, and it’s always available in the shop.

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Feeling overwhelmed with the never-ending responsibilities of a music teacher? Us too! Go to our shop to find reasonably priced music education resources designed by experts to make your life easier.