How to Set Yourself Up for an Awesome Lesson

This blog post was originally posted on June 22, 2015, so links and resources may not be current.

My Before Lesson Routine

​Over the last year I have been incorporating routines to keep our household running smoothly.  The simple act of unloading the dishwasher first thing every morning makes the whole day so much nicer.
I quickly complete a quick list of cleaning and laundry tasks each morning and evening, which sets me up for success for the following day.  As I’ve streamlined some of these chores, my life has felt much less overwhelming.


I often feel disorganized and unprepared for my lessons.  I fumble through papers and music, and struggle to find the things I need.  Sometimes, I just can’t seem to focus.
However.
If I am intentional about the twenty to thirty minutes before I start the teaching day, I can make everything easier on myself.  Before I start my day, I have a sequence of activities that make me feel less frazzled.  And I look much more organized and professional in front of my students’ parents!
1.  I fill a water bottle.  This may be an indicator that I talk too much, but my mouth and throat get really dry while I am teaching!
2.  I close the door.  I need to physically and mentally shut the door to the rest of my life.  It is sometimes hard to ignore the crying baby upstairs, but I trust that my husband or sitter can handle those crazy boys.
3.  I light a candle.  This may seem silly, but I love the flickering light of a candle and a nice scent in my studio.  This just makes me feel more zen and patient with my students, and helps create a welcoming atmosphere.
4.  I pray or meditate for a moment.  Another seemingly silly thing, but saying a quick prayer for patience and love prepares me mentally and emotionally.  It’s a good reminder of the the kind of mentor I would like to be for my students.  Sometimes repeating a mantra helps me, too.
5.  I gather the books I know I will need.  This includes my own copies of the Suzuki books, supplemental materials, etc.  I place these on a second music stand that I keep near my chair.
6.  I review my notes on last week’s lessons.  Do I have any new ideas on how to help “Suzie” understand relaxed bow hand?  What is the next step for “John?”
7.  I check my payment records.  Am I missing anyone’s tuition?  Who do I need to remind to bring a check or pay online?
8.  I gather any materials I might need for games, activities, or practice charts.
9.  I check for cancellations.  If someone has texted or emailed to cancel their lesson, then I call someone from my “sick list” and offer them that time.
10.  I play a little.  It is good to get my fingers loose, and students love to hear their teacher playing as they come in the door!
These are the things I need to do to feel  prepared and calm for my lessons.  Feel free to try this routine, or even better, come up with your own!  In the past, I rushed down one minute before my first student walked in, and then I felt frazzled and crazy the rest of the day.  Giving myself some time to get into the zone has made me much more productive and efficient.
How do you prepare to teach each day?  Do you have a pre-teaching routine?  Please share with us in the comments!