Over the last several posts I have been delving into the various situations guitar teachers may find themselves working in and the pros and cons of each. This month I’ll be talking about being a travelling teacher or driving to individual student’s homes for lessons.
Being a travelling teacher is not a situation that is for everyone and when I travelled to lessons there was specific reason I did so - the lessons I taught were on a side of town where my band rehearsed. Needless to say, it was convenient to teach lessons in a situation I normally would not as I was on that side of town anyway. And in the spirit of full disclosure, these students were ones I had taught for several years prior (before I moved), were children of friends or I had been recommended by a mutual friend – I was not actively seeking to be a travelling teacher. That being said, although I always enjoyed teaching these students I did not enjoy the act of travelling to and fro. But, like all teaching situations there are positives and negatives.
Pros:
· Increased Lesson Fee: more than likely travelling teachers will charge a premium due because of travel time, wear and tear on a vehicle and the convenience for a student having lessons in the comfort of their own home.
· No Set Location: some teachers do not like working for a store or school and would rather not have people coming to their homes. For these folks, travelling to lessons is the preferable option.
· All of the Above: some teachers teach in all situations; in order to maintain a full studio they teach from home, at a school/store, Skype lessons and travel to a student’s home. If teaching is your main source of income this makes sense.
· Tax Write Off: the miles you travel may be a tax deduction – speak with a certified public accountant regarding specifics.
Cons:
· Staying on Schedule: because one is travelling to lessons any number of things can impact your scheduled arrival time (weather, traffic, etc.…), leave ample time between lessons in order to stay on schedule.
· No One is Home: have a policy regarding cancellations; travelling to a lesson only to find the student is not at home can be frustrating.
· In-Shape: keep your car in good condition as it is integral to your livelihood. If there are mechanical issues it will impact your ability to earn a living.
· Limited Lessons: travelling to lessons limits the number of students one can teach in a given day.
· Pack It Up: you’ll need to bring all your teaching materials with you in order to have everything which may be needed for each individual lesson.
· Lesson Ready: some students may not be “lesson ready” when at home as they may feel more inclined to fool around or drag their feet.
If you have been a travelling teacher what have been some of your experiences? I’d enjoy reading your coments.
