Feeling lonely? Five Ways to Beat the Private Teacher Isolation Blues

I probably don't have to tell you that there are many great things about being a private music teacher. The wonderful parents and students you get to form relationships with and nurture. Setting your own schedule. Teaching who you want to teach. Designing your own curriculum.

My favorite thing? As a private music teacher, I have almost complete control over my work culture, which was certainly not the case when I worked for someone else. When I work for myself, my values stay front and center of every work day. There are no moral compromises, no unfair expectations, or extra work that I don't explicitly agree to.

Teaching privately has its downsides, too. One of these is the sense of isolation we feel when we have to function as CEO, HR, PR, and educator all at the same time without the support or camaraderie of colleagues.

Feeling overwhelmed and isolated is a significant contributor to burnout, so taking measures to stave off the loneliness of teaching is really important to keeping yourself positive and energized.

Here are 5 ways to beat the private teacher isolation blues.

1. Join a teacher support group on social media and participate regularly

   One of my regrets is that I didn't join music teacher social media groups earlier in my career. I felt like I never had extra time to participate in the conversations or connect with others in this way. I joined some groups a few years ago, though, and I'm so glad I finally made time for it. It's great to read comments from other teachers that describe issues I'm currently experiencing in my studio: sharing our frustrations in a safe place and supporting each other through suggestions and comments definitely makes me feel less isolated. In turn, I can also offer tips, resources, or support to others. I feel good helping a fellow teacher, and being able to do so reminds me of the accumulated wisdom of my experience - a win/win for sure.

2. Take a music teacher or entrepreneur class

   Taking a class on a teaching topic you wish to learn more about or a class for entrepreneurs that helps you build your business is also a great way to connect with others in similar situations. You'll learn a new skill, solve a problem you have, or get a fresh perspective on your teaching career - all while building connections with others in your field. And many courses come with online communities built into them which makes it super easy to meet people who share your interest and business challenges. (Interested in an entrepreneur class developed specifically for private music teachers? You gotta check out this!)

3. Join or start a local private teacher Meetup group

   If you crave opportunities to connect in person, consider joining or starting a local private teacher Meetup group. This group doesn't have to be time-intensive or require lots (or any) preparation. Maybe you start a group that meets once a month at a local bar or coffee shop to talk about teaching successes and challenges. Even a handful of teachers getting together semi-regularly can go a long way to making you feel less isolated and part of a community. And you're sure to share a few laughs and stories, which can help lift your spirits when the teaching doldrums set in.

4. Take private lessons yourself

   Maybe there's an instrument you've always wanted to learn to play for fun, or you'd like to improve a particular skill on the instrument you teach. Either way, taking private lessons yourself is a way of forging a direct connection to someone in your field. I've taken both flute and piano lessons and benefitted both professionally and personally from these experiences. The flute teacher and I became friendly enough to promote each other's programs and recommend each other as teachers to students who we had no space for or who weren't a good fit for us. And if we needed someone to bounce a flute-related issue off of? We were there for each other!

   
   

5. Subscribe to a private teacher publication

   Sometimes, combatting private teacher isolation is as easy as reading articles by others going through the same challenges you're experiencing. Consider subscribing to a music teacher or entrepreneur blog (I humbly recommend my own - join the mailing list here) or an educational journal. Over the years, I've subscribed to publications by The National Flute Association, The International Clarinet Association, Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) and The National Association for Music Educations (NAfME). I also read a number of different music teacher and entrepreneur blogs, which help me feel connected and supported in my jobs as music teacher and entrepreneur.

The bottom line is that it doesn't have to take a lot of time or money to feel more connected to and supported by your peers. I encourage you to take one step this week to expand your social network or find a resource that helps you. Taking steps like these to safeguard your mental health and prevent burnout are key to having a long and satisfying career.

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