Lessons in the Key of Life
Viewing comments for Prologue "Overture"A music and dance teacher's improvization
28 total reviews
Comment from Joy Graham
This is a heart warming story deserving of six stars at the very least. I look forward to more chapters as you have promised :)
I taught private piano lessons for about 25 years. I finally retired. Moving around as a military wife, it got harder to find students with each move. I always had my students come to me where I had my resources handy. I'm impressed that you go to their homes to teach, and 73 of them. Wow! I look forward to hearing stories about these lessons.
I think teachers have changed and improved over the years. My grade one teacher called me stupid because I didn't understand math. That has never left me. I don't recall any of my teachers making a good impression on me. My daughter is a school band teacher, and I love to hear her teaching stories. It's a much more school-friendly world these days.
Joy xx
reply by the author on 11-Mar-2019
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This is a heart warming story deserving of six stars at the very least. I look forward to more chapters as you have promised :)
I taught private piano lessons for about 25 years. I finally retired. Moving around as a military wife, it got harder to find students with each move. I always had my students come to me where I had my resources handy. I'm impressed that you go to their homes to teach, and 73 of them. Wow! I look forward to hearing stories about these lessons.
I think teachers have changed and improved over the years. My grade one teacher called me stupid because I didn't understand math. That has never left me. I don't recall any of my teachers making a good impression on me. My daughter is a school band teacher, and I love to hear her teaching stories. It's a much more school-friendly world these days.
Joy xx
Comment Written 11-Mar-2019
reply by the author on 11-Mar-2019
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I wonder if your first grade teacher went on to become my eleventh-grade one because she used the exact same word!! (Though I have to admit, Joy, the joke in our house is that the reason I do this for a living is because the only math it requires is the ability to count to four...and I can do that. But, still...) I bet you have some great teaching stories, too. And I can't imagine being able to move and do this job. That must have been a huge challenge. Did you ever do accompanying for schools?
It's wonderful that your daughter has a love (and knack) for teaching music, too. That must make you feel so good!
Anyway, thank you for your absolutely delightful review. Especially since you have the life experience, your words mean the world to me. xo
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I did accompany a children's choir when my girls were in it, plus an adult choir. I did a little bit with a school choir. Though my stage fright pretty much ended my music career. My daughter saw me practicing piano and took to it like a natural. She has no stage fright whatsoever and did very well in competitions because of that.
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Wow; that's impressive! I still have stage fright, though I MAKE myself swallow it down. Still, it's all these years later and still haunting me. I have two chapters in this book that feature that topic.
Comment from JudyE
What a great teacher Ann was. You were lucky to have witnessed her methods. I really enjoyed your story and can't suggest any improvements. Thanks for sharing it with us.
reply by the author on 11-Mar-2019
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What a great teacher Ann was. You were lucky to have witnessed her methods. I really enjoyed your story and can't suggest any improvements. Thanks for sharing it with us.
Comment Written 11-Mar-2019
reply by the author on 11-Mar-2019
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Thank you for these sweet words, JudyE about this woman I respect and admire the most in this world. I will pass along to her what you said. And thank you for reviewing my work with that great editor's eye of yours. When you give me the thumbs-up, I always know I'm aok! xo
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Goodness, you are putting the pressure on my 'editor's eye' now! lol I'm glad to have been of help.
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Oh, stop that! lol. You slay me.
Comment from called2rite
Very good descriptive words used to show the story. I wish that we in this day and age we could put an arm around the shoulders of a hurting child, but alas with all the atrocity acts of abuse, we cannot dare. comment made on 3-10-19 by called2rite.
reply by the author on 11-Mar-2019
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Very good descriptive words used to show the story. I wish that we in this day and age we could put an arm around the shoulders of a hurting child, but alas with all the atrocity acts of abuse, we cannot dare. comment made on 3-10-19 by called2rite.
Comment Written 11-Mar-2019
reply by the author on 11-Mar-2019
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I know! I was thinking about that exact same thing as I was editing this the other day. What a travesty that the lousy teachers of this world have ruined this very important facet of children's development. Physical contact is very important to children (well, to us ALL, right? But being demonstrative is that little extra support that children remember.) Thanks for this very nice review, called2rite. I appreciate it very much. xo
Comment from Shirley McLain
A wonderful heartfelt story. It held my attention from start to finish. It's wonderful that you had a mentor that practiced what she preached. You did an excellent job. Have a great night. Shirley
reply by the author on 10-Mar-2019
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A wonderful heartfelt story. It held my attention from start to finish. It's wonderful that you had a mentor that practiced what she preached. You did an excellent job. Have a great night. Shirley
Comment Written 10-Mar-2019
reply by the author on 10-Mar-2019
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Thank you. I will tell her you think so; it will mean the world to her, the same way it does to me. Thank you for this generous review, Shirley. xo
Comment from Mastery
All I can say is you are one dynamic writer, my friend. I was enchanted with this little story from start to finish. It's all in the "showing" you know...not the "telling" and you are flawless in your style, Rachelle. Cheers! Bob
reply by the author on 10-Mar-2019
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All I can say is you are one dynamic writer, my friend. I was enchanted with this little story from start to finish. It's all in the "showing" you know...not the "telling" and you are flawless in your style, Rachelle. Cheers! Bob
Comment Written 10-Mar-2019
reply by the author on 10-Mar-2019
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Coming from talented you, this is the compliment of a lifetime. Thank you, Bob. xo
Comment from Y. M. Roger
Oh, how very right you are, Rachelle -- there are no truer words that a teacher can keep at the forefront of her mind!! ;) ;) This is a wonderful write from your interesting teaching life....remind me to tell you about mine since 'retirement': I am now a math homeschool classroom and one-on-one teacher. ;) :) I look forward to reading more of your adventures!! :) ;) Thanx for sharing! ;) :) Yvette
reply by the author on 10-Mar-2019
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Oh, how very right you are, Rachelle -- there are no truer words that a teacher can keep at the forefront of her mind!! ;) ;) This is a wonderful write from your interesting teaching life....remind me to tell you about mine since 'retirement': I am now a math homeschool classroom and one-on-one teacher. ;) :) I look forward to reading more of your adventures!! :) ;) Thanx for sharing! ;) :) Yvette
Comment Written 10-Mar-2019
reply by the author on 10-Mar-2019
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I'd love to hear all about it, Yvette. Please catch me up soon. Thank you for this lovely review. It means the world. xo
Comment from Ulla
Hi Rachelle, so very true.That was a special moment, indeed and one to learn from. Understanding and compassion does go a long way, which your story so very clearly told. Very well written. All the best. Ulla:)))
reply by the author on 10-Mar-2019
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Hi Rachelle, so very true.That was a special moment, indeed and one to learn from. Understanding and compassion does go a long way, which your story so very clearly told. Very well written. All the best. Ulla:)))
Comment Written 10-Mar-2019
reply by the author on 10-Mar-2019
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Ulla, this review warms me up incredibly much. Thank you for totally 'getting' what teaching -and LIFE- is all about. Thank you for this input today. You always have the nicest way of wording your reviews. xo
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Xo to you: It was a lovely story :)))
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Thank you. I totally appreciate that.
Comment from A. Willow Bends
This is phenomenal. There is nothing that could be added to improve it nor should anything be taken away from it. It would be so interesting to know how this little boy is doing today. Bless you and your mentor. Fantastic written piece. Thank you for sharing it!
Wendy
reply by the author on 10-Mar-2019
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This is phenomenal. There is nothing that could be added to improve it nor should anything be taken away from it. It would be so interesting to know how this little boy is doing today. Bless you and your mentor. Fantastic written piece. Thank you for sharing it!
Wendy
Comment Written 10-Mar-2019
reply by the author on 10-Mar-2019
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Thank you for appreciating it and for all the accompanying kind words that comprise this review. You always have the nicest way, Wendy, of making me good about my work on this site. xo
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You are welcome and most deserving!
Wendy
Comment from damommy
What a wise woman Ann was. I wish everyone could have a teacher like that. I think children behave the way we expect them to. If we assume they're a problem, then they will be.
reply by the author on 10-Mar-2019
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What a wise woman Ann was. I wish everyone could have a teacher like that. I think children behave the way we expect them to. If we assume they're a problem, then they will be.
Comment Written 10-Mar-2019
reply by the author on 10-Mar-2019
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Truer words that that were never spoken, damommy. Children rise o our level of expectation. Thank you for your sweet words about my beloved Ann. I will certainly pass them along to her. xo
Comment from judiverse
Excellent details about both the boy and the teacher, and you show the teacher's caring attitude towards him. Sound like he was a high-end autistic child, maybe Asperger's syndrome. Such things as knocking over toys are part of their behavior. I love your comment that he was done being good by 11 a.m. You had something to contribute, too. From your farm knowledge you reasoned that the mouse probably wasn't dead. Beautifully written, and you show how you came to love teaching. judi
reply by the author on 10-Mar-2019
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Excellent details about both the boy and the teacher, and you show the teacher's caring attitude towards him. Sound like he was a high-end autistic child, maybe Asperger's syndrome. Such things as knocking over toys are part of their behavior. I love your comment that he was done being good by 11 a.m. You had something to contribute, too. From your farm knowledge you reasoned that the mouse probably wasn't dead. Beautifully written, and you show how you came to love teaching. judi
Comment Written 10-Mar-2019
reply by the author on 10-Mar-2019
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Judi, you totally 'get' this entire chapter, and it makes my heart just sing. I can't tell you how much I appreciate this warm and spot-on review. This mentor of mine, Ann, was my gateway to loving being a teacher. It was the luckiest moment of my life when her path crossed mine in that classroom. Thank you for seeing it that way, too. xo