Tuesday, January 11, 2005
AN OPEN LETTER TO STEPH
A good teacher accepts and celebrates where you are now, joins you in and clarifies your dreams for yourself, and helps you as a guide and adviser on the road to their attainment.
--Lawrence LeShan
Granted, most "teachers" tend to simply notice your mistakes, assign work you won't do, and then yell at you some more. (You are very perceptive young Jedi)
While pointing out mistakes is an easy way to collect a paycheck, it's not really teaching.
Real Teachers (the good ones) are going to teach you to inspire yourself, show you how to fix mistakes, and be your #1 cheerleader/critic.
In a lifetime of school, I've only come across three such teachers (Diane, Don, and Julia - and only one of them was a teacher in a formal, "school-sort" of way).
Don't write yourself off or give up on finding a good teacher. (It might be a cello teacher, or a writing teacher, or even a basket-weaving teacher. Whatever. It doesn't matter. Good teachers transcend their subject and teach you more than you expected to learn).
You are a natural, charismatic, and effective leader (I'm so glad Mr. Peters sees that!) You might choose to use those skills in places other than orchestra - but believe/beware everything he said to you!
(And dammit - if you're going to stop practicing - at least keep March in the Style of Corelli in your repitoire. If I ever get married, I'll need a cello player and YOU'RE IT!
(-:
A good teacher accepts and celebrates where you are now, joins you in and clarifies your dreams for yourself, and helps you as a guide and adviser on the road to their attainment.
--Lawrence LeShan
Granted, most "teachers" tend to simply notice your mistakes, assign work you won't do, and then yell at you some more. (You are very perceptive young Jedi)
While pointing out mistakes is an easy way to collect a paycheck, it's not really teaching.
Real Teachers (the good ones) are going to teach you to inspire yourself, show you how to fix mistakes, and be your #1 cheerleader/critic.
In a lifetime of school, I've only come across three such teachers (Diane, Don, and Julia - and only one of them was a teacher in a formal, "school-sort" of way).
Don't write yourself off or give up on finding a good teacher. (It might be a cello teacher, or a writing teacher, or even a basket-weaving teacher. Whatever. It doesn't matter. Good teachers transcend their subject and teach you more than you expected to learn).
You are a natural, charismatic, and effective leader (I'm so glad Mr. Peters sees that!) You might choose to use those skills in places other than orchestra - but believe/beware everything he said to you!
(And dammit - if you're going to stop practicing - at least keep March in the Style of Corelli in your repitoire. If I ever get married, I'll need a cello player and YOU'RE IT!
(-: