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Tonight my child had a music lesson. This was the second.
The lessons are at the music teacher's home. The music teacher is also my child's music teacher at school. We were there on time. But the music teacher was not home. The house was dark. We waited in the car, somewhat cold, for 20 minutes (car needs heat repair) thinking maybe there was a delay. But she never came home. The first lesson there was a student already practicing when we arrived. Two more showed up after we arrived. She is a busy teacher.
I am puzzled because tonight just me and my child were the only ones there. Which means the others were alerted she would not have lessons.
Yes! I DID pay her. For 4 lessons In advance, as she asked! So it's not a monetary issue. And the check already cleared. Communication has been good, as far as red flags. And my child always bathes and is clean. Believe me ( Lol!) I have been racking my brain wondering WHAT happened. ;0) Everything seemed to be flowing nicely. And she says she enjoys my child, who is an honor student, and very peaceful and loving.
Tonight bothered me for 3 reasons.
1. My child's first music lesson was supposed to last 30 minutes. But it was only 20 minutes.
i let it go. But now with the no show. the 20 minute lesson seems to connect to this incident, bordering on un professionalism.
2. I was not notified. And the look on my child's face while waiting went from excitement, to that look of sheer disappointment. I made it all better by taking my kid out for a while which was enjoyable.
3. I am a single Mom, and I am sacrificing to afford the lessons. I could use the money with Christmas coming in 5 weeks. I paid her in advance and she is not living up to her end of the bargain.
I am going to e-mail the music teacher. should I mention that the other students didn't arrive and question WHY I was not notified of a cancellation? She has my number and e-mail contact. I e-mailed her yesterday and mentioned seeing her tonight and she never once responded with a cancellation. She never gave me her home or cell number. I was going to ask for a contact number tonight.
Well seeing as how you said she's a popular teacher I wouldn't be too quick to judge. She could of had a medical emergency. If there was not a true emergency though I think you need to ask for your money back because the situation would be inexcusable. Did she respond to you see you tomorrow e-mail? Was she at school today?
My only guess is that she emailed or called and for some reason it didn't come through. That happened to me a few nights ago when someone was supposed to walk me home from the mall and texted me to my email but for some reason the message just never came through. I'd just email her again or ask her in person at school about it.
If she contacted the others and not you, she is probably going to be extremely embarrassed. I doubt that she did it on purpose.
She may have had an emergency. Just wait and see.
About the shortened lesson: next time, when you take your daughter in, check to be sure you are on time. Then say, "I'll see you in half an hour." Leave the house and don't return until it's time. (Don't be late, either!)
I think you need to get a phone number from the teacher - I'm a little confused as to why you wouldn't have gotten it from the start. Is her phone number listed? If she's doing her business out of her home, then her phone number should be made available to her students or their parents. Does she have yours?
And yeah - what Hopes says - you paid for four lessons. You've had one so far, the teacher has not made herself available for the second yet, so she still owes you three.
I agree with the others; don't email on the offensive. I think following Hopes' advice re: the email sounds like the perfect plan. She'll have a chance to explain or apologize, and you can work from there. No need to question why you didn't receive notification, at least not right away; presumably she'll come out with that right away in response to you; if she says something like "but I tried to call you!" then you can at that time confirm that you have her phone number, and that she has yours. In any case, while it could be that she's just flaky and unprofessional, I wouldn't jump to that conclusion yet.
I am a music teacher and there was one time that I was late coming home from a lesson because I had a doctor's appointment run very long, like TWO HOURS longer than necessary. I immediately apologized to the parents and made sure the lesson went very well.
Since your child is a new student, I'm going to assume something, that the teacher had previously discussed certain weeks off due to school related commitments, like concerts, with the other parents. Then, that information wasn't passed onto you because of the student previous and student after your child. At least, that is what I'm hoping! If this is the case, I'm going to bet the teacher says, "Oh my goodness, I can't believe I forgot to tell you!" You should absolutely get three more lessons for what you paid.
I hope you get to the bottom of this, and I would approach is like this:
"Hello, did I miss an e-mail rescheduling tonight's lesson? We came by at our appointed time and didn't see you there. Please let me know when my child can see you."
I hope you get to the bottom of this, and I would approach is like this:
"Hello, did I miss an e-mail rescheduling tonight's lesson? We came by at our appointed time and didn't see you there. Please let me know when my child can see you."
Excellent opening line. But I'd ask for an explanation and not let it just slide. I'd also ask why the 30 minute lesson was only 20 minutes. The two events together make me raise a wee bit of an eyebrow.
(She could have a great reason for both so I'd ask nicely, but if I'm paying her money I want to know why there's been two problems.)
Given the teacher shorted you for the first lesson i would say it smacks more of being unprofessional. Unless this was a family emergency i would also request she pay you back for one lesson.
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