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The Education of a Teacher: Including Dirty Books and Pointed Looks

“In 1968, at age twenty-one, I was sure I had all the answers I needed to know about teaching five classes a day in a real high school … I had no idea how naïve I was!” Every teacher’s career is a journey of discovery that begins with rookie insecurities and moves toward self-confidence and understanding. When Susan Van Kirk drove into little Monmouth, Illinois, in 1968-straight out of college, with her teaching degree in hand-she thought she was ready to teach English and speech to high

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1. It’s not boring as all get out.

I spent the first 5 and a half years of my education in public schools. There were, of course, times when I enjoyed learning things and talking to my friends. On the flip side, though, there were long stretches of monotony and boredom. And that was just grade school! I can’t even imagine what it would have gotten like in middle and high school. I vaguely remember a class I took in 6th grade before I began to be homeschooled. “Conflict resolution” they called it. It was an entire class we had to sit through for 50 minutes a day on how not to get in a fight. Instead of teaching us something useful like math, history or science, we had to sit and learn that getting in a fistfight wasn’t good for anybody.

I think it goes without saying that homeschooling was far more interesting. I was either doing something and learning, or I was enjoying my free time. I never had to sit through extended periods of monotonous lectures or stare at a chalkboard while a teacher catered to the slowest student in the classroom. I was able to learn at my own pace and enjoy it.

2. No one gives you wedgies.

Unless, of course, you have an older sibling and then you might get more wedgies than you can handle. One of the fantastic things about being homeschooled is that there is no awkward social structure that you have to fit yourself into. Unless you live in a very complicated family, there are no bullies, no drug addicts and so forth.

Again, the advantage is more than what you don’t have to deal with, but also in what you do get. Being homeschooled enabled me to develop much stronger relationships with my parents and my siblings, and I did find a variety of friends through our homeschool group and church and so forth. I found that when I got to college I was able to comfortably communicate with everyone from the older students (some who were even grandparents, coming back for their education) to the younger students and even the professors and staff. None of these people ever gave me a wedgy.

3. Odds are your teacher will probably like you.

I didn’t personally ever have issues with a teacher that didn’t seem to like me or treat me well, but I do know that those experiences are out there. The odds increase, I think, as you get into high school that you might run into a teacher that you either don’t like or who doesn’t like you for some reason. I wouldn’t say that it’s anything personal, just sometimes there are personality clashes.

On the other hand, I think you benefit from homeschooling because you’re able to develop a much deeper relationship with your parents. Instead of coming home from school and simply telling them what you did (if you can even remember all the details) you live it with them.

Many people find piano lessons quite expensive and because of this, a lot of would-be pianists pass the opportunity to become one of the best in the music industry. Playing the piano is a skill that can developed through time. Don’t believe what other people say unless you’ve tried it yourself. There is a way to make your life easy and here is how to save while you learn to play a piano.

When you’re already considering the cost of piano lessons, you have to know your alternatives. Professional piano teachers are not only the ones who can give you piano lessons. Remember, today is the age of advanced technology and nothing is impossible when it comes to acquiring new knowledge. Of course, that would include taking piano lessons in a whole new different way.

The most common way to learn to play a piano is through a professional teacher. The price depends on the teacher; he or she can charge you per hour or per session, or even on a weekly/monthly basis. It all depends on your payment agreement. It’s a good thing though if the teacher is a close friend or a relative because you can also save some money.

Otherwise, you would have to pay the agreed amount. You can learn so many things from the piano teacher. You will have a guide in every step of the way and he or she can tell you about your mistakes and correct them instantly. However, there are individuals who prefer to study alone and if you’re one of them, you have to know your other options.

What are your other options? Well, you can learn through the internet. There are online piano lessons that can provide you with special software that often includes videos of the lessons. The cost is much more affordable as compared to paying a professional piano teacher. The advantages of choosing this learning option are – you can learn at your chosen time and pace.

If you have a job, you will be busy for the rest of the day and so you can have the piano lessons at night or during weekends. You will be the one to choose the time for the lessons as well as your practice sessions.

Aside from learning to play the piano through the computer and internet, you can also save money if you try a piano guidebook. This may seem hard but if you prefer to do all the work alone, this option might work for you. The piano guidebook is cheap, so you can surely afford it.

If you have a DVD player or system at home, you can opt for the DVD piano lessons. You simply have to play the DVD and you can watch all the lessons given by professional pianists. Just like the software, you can learn at your most convenient time. You can take the lessons fast or slow. It’s all up to you.

The alternative options are far cheaper than hiring professional help but what you need is the right attitude. You must have self discipline; you should be patient and hardworking. If you have these qualities, you can make your life easy and know how to save money while you learn to play a piano. So what are you waiting for? Choose your option now.