The golden rule. (Local Association News).

While reading through local association reports from the state chairs, a particular subject popped up several times: teachers, students, students of other teachers, ethical behavior and the need to preserve a good relationship with our colleagues.

An article appeared in the Clarion, the Washington State Music Teachers newsletter, which states the situation very well.

Every year when those phone calls start coming in--the "I'm looking for a piano teacher for my child" calls--I start thinking about the subject of ethics. It also comes to mind when I receive a phone call from a parent of one of my own students: "I'm afraid we have decided to change piano teachers."

The subject of ethics in private music teaching is a complex issue. The way we deal with our students and their parents is part of that issue, but this article addresses how we treat each other as fellow professionals.

What do you do when a parent tells you that she is unhappy with her present teacher and hopes that you will enroll her child in your program? What determines whether or not you will accept that student? What will you say to her former teacher at your next [Local Association] meeting? These are some of the questions (I'm sure you can think of many more) that we need to consider. Another question might be: "when it is my student who is seeking another teacher, how would I as the former teacher like to be treated?"

Perhaps you are a college faculty member, used to many students coming to you each year for more advanced instruction. Or perhaps you are certified and find students coming to you to receive high school credit. The number of referrals you receive from other teachers will depend directly on how you treat those teachers.

There is a teacher I know who avoids taking the students of other teachers. She feels better about her relationships with the other local teachers because of this policy. But let's fact facts here--students are free to choose the teacher they think suits them best, and will change teachers if they become unhappy. Here are some both good and not-so-good reasons: ("my present teacher doesn't teach theory" or "she teaches too much theory," "maybe I'll win that contest next year with a different teacher," or "I want to play popular music but my teacher only teaches classical") ... the list goes on.