In the following article I am going to describe what is tutoring, what to avoid in case of cancelation, what to do in case of cancelation and what to avoid in case you didn't practice.
What is tutoring?
Tutoring is a full time job and not an extra income job! But even in both cases, tutoring is a JOB!
What's a Drums teacher's main job?
Being a Drums teacher is his main job! This is his main income that covers all his expenses.
What is the tutor's job?
The tutor's job is to do a research before every session for every single student, make a lesson plan and prepare the exercises or songs that he is going to teach.
Why is it a job?
Tutoring is a job because the tutor has to earn money from this to live a normal life like everybody else! Oh yes!
How much time the tutor works before every lesson?
Tutor has to identify each student's way of learning and set up a pedagogy method and repertoire on student's needs. To do that with every student, takes about 3-4 hours and sometimes some days of preparation for every student BEFORE every session with them.
What students have to avoid in case they want to cancel their session?
Here I am going to represent 3 very common cases that every tutor has to deal with unfortunetly every week! Any similarity with reality is purely coincidental.
I am unwell today
Student A has a lesson on Monday at 12pm. At 10 o'clock he sends a message to the tutor that he is feeling unwell, so he wants to skip the lesson this week.
What that means for the tutor?
Another student asked to have a lesson at that time but the session was already booked from student A, which means the tutor is not going to work this time.
Tutor is not getting paid for all the preparation and research he did for the lesson.
Tutor cannot pay planned expenses like food, petrol,electricity, rent and internet.
What the Student A should do if he cancels his lesson that he booked?
"Hello tutor!
I woke up a bit unwell today so I won't make it this week, but I have paid for the lesson! See you next week!"
2. I am very sick
Student A sends a text to the tutor that he cannot have the planned session as he is very sick as a Doctor's letter can confirm!
What is happening if the tutor do not work the planning event?
Another student asked to have a lesson at that time but the session was already booked from student A, which means the tutor is not going to work this time.
Tutor is not getting paid for all the preparation and research he did for the lesson.
Tutor cannot pay planned expenses like food, petrol,electricity, rent and internet.
What does the tutor do in this case?
"Thank you for letting me know. As you can provide a Doctor's letter you will get partly refund on your booked session." (depends from tutor's policy)
3. Something came up
Student A wants to book a lesson for Monday 1st at 3 o'clock. Tutor has an empty slot and he asks him to pay for his session in advance, so he can book him in and secure the slot FOR HIM. Student is asking the tutor to pay at the day of the session and tutor trusts him and he makes him a favor. (even if tutor has expenses like the student)
At the day of the session student A decides to cancel his session for his own reasons (maybe something came up with his friends)
What is happening if the tutor do not work the planning event?
Another student asked to have a lesson at that time but the session was already booked from student A, which means the tutor is not going to work this time.
Tutor is not getting paid for all the preparation and research he did for the lesson.
Tutor cannot pay planned expenses like food, petrol,electricity, rent and internet.
What the Student A should do if cancel his lesson that he booked?
"Hello tutor!
Something came up and I prefer to go to see my friends, but I am transferring the fees for the session(s) I have booked. I will call you to arrange my next session."
What a student has to avoid in case he didn't practice?
Do not say any excuses! Just say I didn't want to! We really appreciate the honest students!
It is the student's responsibility to pratice and tutors can't help with that if it is not happening.
Author: Drums Tutor Alberto Christodoulou