Friday, March 3, 2017

A Chance Encounter




A Chance Encounter

Teaching is a second career for me (well, maybe a third?).  My first degree is in piano pedagogy and, to this day, I continue to run a small piano studio from my home.  Having once taught over 45 students per week, the 16 I have now is a breeze!  

Another part of teaching piano is accompanying the students from our local junior high every year at the Solo and Ensemble Festival in February.  This event took place just a few weeks ago.

As I was waiting to enter a room to accompany one of the 41 students I was working with this year, I ran into a former student.  Immediately the talk turned to books.

"What are you reading now?"
"I just finished a series and now I don't know what to read."
"What did you just finish."

I honestly don't remember what he said but it was a fantasy series that I was surprised he had not read before because he is a voracious reader.

"Oh!  Did you enjoy it?"
"Yes!"
"May I suggest a series I think you will really like?"
"Sure."

"Try Gregor the Overlander series.  I think you will really love it.  There are about 5-6 books in the series."
"Awesome!  Thanks."

During this brief encounter, his mother attentively listened in.  When he walked out of the contest room, she asked about the book again.  I reminded her of the name as she pulled out her phone to send herself a reminder.  I imagine that series arrived at their doorstep a day or two later.

There is something so absolutely wonderful about running into former students and immediately reconnecting over books.  I live in a small town; it is not unusual to run into former students and instantaneously ask, "What are you reading?" and learn about a new favorite book or author.  It is the a connection that will never disappear.




Thank you to Two Writing Teachers for the opportunity to share this slice of my life.







9 comments:

  1. That sounds like a special conversation! So lovely to talk books with former students!

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  2. Phyllis,
    I have this vision of you with your fingers on the piano keyboard while talking about books. I know you don't do it simultaneously . . . but that's my picture!

    Isn't it FUN to talk about books? Keep those SERIES going and readers they will be!

    Love learning from you as you slice!

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    1. Fran, believe it or not, we often talk books during our piano lesson. I love the long-term relationships teaching piano creates!

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  3. The piano teacher part intrigues me. Series are just the best aren't they?

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  4. This post reminds me of my piano teacher. She & I would often discuss books over my lessons and we still do to this day. I'm sure several of your students that you've played the accompaniment part for at Solo & Ensemble have thanked you. But as a former S & E participant allow me to say thank you as well. Thank you for taking that time out of your weekend.

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  5. What a fun conversation. Love it when you can connect with students over books.

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  6. You have inspired this student!! Having conversations about books with students is one of my most favorite parts of my job. :-)

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  7. I love working at a job where I get to talk about books all day every day! Such an amazing privilege!

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  8. I LOVE that you have that kind of experience regularly. I took pride in noticing a former student dressed as Sabrina Grimm (from the Sisters Grimm) yesterday- a series I introduced her to two years ago. Books are connectors!

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