Music Teachers National Association Assessment Tools for the Independent Music Teacher.(Illustration)

 
SELF-ASSESSMENT TOOL 1 
 
MTNA SELF-ASSESSMENT TOOL 
for the Independent Music Teacher 
 
MTNA offers this assessment tool to provide music teachers with an 
instrument to evaluate their teaching. An individual teacher, either in 
an independent studio or in a college studio, could utilize the 
self-assessment tool. The rating scale ranges from 1 = needs improvement 
to 5 = satisfactory. 
 
I. TEACHER ASSESSMENT                  Needs Improvement   Satisfactory 
 
A. Am I pursuing personal growth in my teaching? 
 
   1. Spending time with the music to discover        1   2   3   4   5 
        new literature and understand style. 
   2. Continuing to practice and perform myself.      1   2   3   4   5 
   3. Discovering further technical approaches and    1   2   3   4   5 
        theories. 
   4. Reading books and articles.                     1   2   3   4   5 
   5. Attending classes and workshops.                1   2   3   4   5 
   6. Attending concerts.                             1   2   3   4   5 
   7. Listening to recordings.                        1   2   3   4   5 
   8. Actively participating in music associations.   1   2   3   4   5 
 
B. Is my business plan well thought out and successful? 
 
   1. How would I rate my relationships with: 
        Parents?                                      1   2   3   4   5 
        Students?                                     1   2   3   4   5 
        Other teachers?                               1   2   3   4   5 
   2. Is my studio inclusive of students and          1   2   3   4   5 
        families from varied backgrounds, cultures 
        and capabilities? 
   3. Have I devised policies that allow me to be     1   2   3   4   5 
        flexible while upholding my business needs? 
   4. Do I have a clear studio policy statement?      1   2   3   4   5 
   5. Have I inquired about standard business         1   2   3   4   5 
        procedures in my locale? 
   6. Are my rates current and representative of      1   2   3   4   5 
        my education and experience and appropriate 
        to the area in which I teach? 
   7. Are my lessons on time and free from            1   2   3   4   5 
        distractions? 
 
C. Am I presenting myself well? 
 
   1. Have I thought through and expressed a          1   2   3   4   5 
        philosophy about the study of music? 
   2. Am I planning ahead to present well thought     1   2   3   4   5 
        out lessons and activities? 
   3. Am I watchful for the natural physical and      1   2   3   4   5 
        mental changes in my students and 
        responding to them? 
   4. Do I show honest enthusiasm/excitement about    1   2   3   4   5 
        the music, about the student's learning 
        process and about the student personally? 
   5. Am I providing a good role model by my          1   2   3   4   5 
        continued education and involvement in 
        musical activities? 
   6. Do I listen and respond to student or           1   2   3   4   5 
        parental concerns about business or the 
        learning process? 
   7. Is my attitude positive and inspirational?      1   2   3   4   5 
   8. Am I creative?                                  1   2   3   4   5 
   9. Do I look my best?                              1   2   3   4   5 
 
D. Have I provided the "triangle" approach where appropriate? 
 
   1. Do I communicate well with parents-report       1   2   3   4   5 
        cards, parent/teacher conferences, 
        telephone calls, letters? 
   2. Do I inform parents about the necessity for     1   2   3   4   5 
        their involvement in setting a regular 
        time for practice? 
   3. Do I encourage parents to help the child        1   2   3   4   5 
        practice? 
   4. Do I inform parents of the appropriate          1   2   3   4   5 
        physical setting at home? 
 
E. Am I doing my part in promoting music in my community? 
 
   1. Do I plan programs for community attendance?    1   2   3   4   5 
   2. Am I attending as many musical events as        1   2   3   4   5 
        possible? 
   3. Am I informing my students and families of      1   2   3   4   5 
        these programs? 
 
II.STUDIO ENVIRONMENT ASSESSMENT 
 
A. Do I keep my studio running in an organized and professional manner? 
 
   1. Studio Brochure                                 yes   no 
   2. Studio Business Card                            yes   no 
   3. Phone/Answering Service                         yes   no 
   4. Parent/Student Information Sheet                yes   no 
   5. Lesson/Class Offerings Information Sheet        yes   no 
   6. Fee Schedule                                    yes   no 
   7. Parent Policies                                 yes   no 
   8. Student Policies                                yes   no 
   9. Practice Policies                               yes   no 
   10. Discipline Policies                            yes   no 
   11. Payment Policies                               yes   no 
   12. Parent/Student Contract                        yes   no 
   13. Studio Calendar                                yes   no 
   14. Studio Website                                 yes   no 
   15. Billing System                                 yes   no 
   16. Studio Budget                                  yes   no 
   17. Filing/Record Keeping                          yes   no 
   18. Tax Software/Accountant                        yes   no 
   19. Studio Insurance (MTNA)                        yes   no 
   20. Studio Credit Line (MTNA MasterCard)           yes   no 
   21. Relationship with Music Dealer (Local and      yes   no 
         Online) 
   22. Waiting/Referral List                          yes   no 
   23. Professional Contacts/Organizations            yes   no 
 
B. Use of instruments 
 
   1. ...