Question from piano teacher for homeschooling/unschooling parents

[pianojazzgirl]

I just re-opened my piano studio after taking a break from teaching for the past 7 years (to have kids and focus on performing).  I would love to make contact with homeschooling and unschooling parents in my city to offer lessons during the day if they would be interested.  (Right now I'm teaching lessons after school, but teaching earlier in the day actually works much better for me.)  I only know one family here that homeschools, and I sent them an email several weeks ago asking for advice, but got no response (we aren't close - just acquaintances).  If any of you have any ideas about how to "get the word out" to homeschooling families that I'm available to give lessons during the day I'd really appreciate it!

[kathymuggle]

Google HSing Montreal and see if they have a yahoo group, etc.  Some do not allow people to solicit business, some do.  

Try posting signs at the library and the like.

Some churches (conservative christian) have more Hsers than the norm.  Find thee an Evangelical church and post a note on the bulletin board.

Lastly, try the library.  Post if you are allowed.  If you are feeling brave, chat up the childrens librarian.  She might know who you can approach for info.

Good luck!

Kathy

[tankgirl73]

I expect that once you find a local group the word will spread pretty quickly.  As both a piano teacher and a homeschooler, I know how much we appreciate daytime lessons.  :)  

Just realize that you're not likely to get inundated with new students, though.  I had a total of three homeschooled students (well, 4 -- two were brothers, so 3 families) over the 10 years I was teaching in Ontario (I'm currently taking a break from teaching, like you did, to focus on performing and family)  

I also founded a homeschool community choir, and that was moderately successful for 2 years, then interest dwindled... homeschoolers can be a flighty bunch ;)  But we sure had fun while it lasted!  There just weren't enough kids to sustain it.

Do I remember something about the rules for homeschooling being much stricter in PQ?  I wonder if there aren't as many hs kids to start with... though I don't know for sure.  

[pianojazzgirl]

Thanks for the info mamas!

I don't know why I didn't think of Googling to search for Montreal hsing groups... doh!  I will do that now and see what I come up with.

Heather, it's interesting that you weren't able to get that many homeschooled students.  I wonder why that was?  I guess I won't put all my eggs in that basket.  4 students over 10 years isn't going to pay the bills, lol.  And I didn't know that hsing rules were stricter here.  I guess you might be right that there isn't as large of a hsing community in PQ.  I'm hoping though, that since Montreal is a pretty large city, there'll be enough to make it worth the effort searching for hsing students.

I think I'll start by seeing if I can post something online, and if that doesn't pan out I'll make trips to libraries, etc.  I wonder if I should put on the posters that I'm expressly looking for hsing student?  Because the reality is that I'm not really interested in finding any more afterschool students (well, I have space for one more student, but that's it).

[kathymuggle]

I would just say "daytime hours availible: perfect for homeschoolers"

[pianojazzgirl]

I just found an online group and applied for membership.  I see another piano teacher has already posted there, so presumably it's allowed to do so!

[pianojazzgirl]

Originally Posted by kathymuggle 

I would just say "daytime hours availible: perfect for homeschoolers"

Perfect!  Thanks!

[sleet76]

Not sure if you would be able/interested in this, but think whether or not you'd be interested in traveling to people's homes to offer lessons there.  Many of us drive the kids to different lessons/practices, etc... and the thought of waiting at lessons for all the kids and chasing the littles around is daunting, especially on top of the swimming, spanish, science, and soccer that we already do.  However, if I had someone to come here in the AM, and I could pass kids off to her one at a time and multitask my homeschool morning...  golden!  

One of my friends here has a piano teacher who comes to her home one morning a week and does lessons with all four of her older kids there.  I know she would discontinue lessons if she had to travel out of the house for one more thing...