Brooke's Policies or The Fine Print
I currently don't have my students sign contracts because I feel that sets up a relationship of distrust and distance. But I do make my students aware of my policies up front. Every teacher and instructor has to operate their business with a certain set of common policies and practices. I've researched the common policies among instructors and have decided to take a middle ground approach (no contract), because I have wonderful students and I want to keep it that way.
PAYMENTS/CANCELLATIONS
All lessons are paid for 4 weeks up front, preferably on the first week of lessons or if the payor prefers, on the first week of each month. On months with 5 weeks for lessons, the student has the option of taking lessons that week and paying for them or opting out of lessons for the 5th week. The reason I have this policy is that it ensures two things: accountability and respect. If a student fails to practice that week and wants to cancel the lesson because of lack of preparation, they are obligated to have the lesson because it is already paid for. I have to plan and prepare and drive to my lessons, so my time is lost when a cancellation occurs and it is very hard to keep track of 20+ students a week who pay weekly or cancel weekly. I do not offer refunds on missed lessons, unless I am the one having to cancel the lesson. In the event that the student has to cancel a lesson that week due to illness, I offer the option of rescheduling the lesson a few days later. If the student does not want to reschedule, the payment for that week's lesson will not be carried over. In the event of an emergency, I will do my best to reschedule, but can make no guarantees. If 24 hrs notice is not given on cancellations (illness and emergencies are the only exceptions), no offer of a reschedule will be available and if the lack of notice occurs more than twice in a semester, the student may not be eligible to take lessons the following semester. If a student wishes to no longer take lessons, 2 weeks notice needs to be given to me as the instructor. No refunds will be available if a student fails to give proper notice, as I make my lesson plans in advance.
Only 2 rescheduled lessons can be made in a semester.
EXPECTATIONS/REQUIREMENTS
I teach so that children and adults can discover and love the guitar as much as I do. As such, there are certain time requirements that a student has to commit to. A beginner student needs to commit to 3 months if they want private lessons. The student also needs to commit to 100 minutes of practice time a week (20 minutes a day, 5 days a week) in addition to their lesson, which is 30 - 45 minutes in length each week. If a student begins to consistently fail at these expectations, then a probationary period might be imposed in which the student will need to meet those goals consistently for 2 weeks or the student may be no longer eligible for lessons. I am very serious about growth and learning, and I do not take money from parents or students who are unable or unwilling to meet these requirements in order to learn the guitar.
PAYMENTS/CANCELLATIONS
All lessons are paid for 4 weeks up front, preferably on the first week of lessons or if the payor prefers, on the first week of each month. On months with 5 weeks for lessons, the student has the option of taking lessons that week and paying for them or opting out of lessons for the 5th week. The reason I have this policy is that it ensures two things: accountability and respect. If a student fails to practice that week and wants to cancel the lesson because of lack of preparation, they are obligated to have the lesson because it is already paid for. I have to plan and prepare and drive to my lessons, so my time is lost when a cancellation occurs and it is very hard to keep track of 20+ students a week who pay weekly or cancel weekly. I do not offer refunds on missed lessons, unless I am the one having to cancel the lesson. In the event that the student has to cancel a lesson that week due to illness, I offer the option of rescheduling the lesson a few days later. If the student does not want to reschedule, the payment for that week's lesson will not be carried over. In the event of an emergency, I will do my best to reschedule, but can make no guarantees. If 24 hrs notice is not given on cancellations (illness and emergencies are the only exceptions), no offer of a reschedule will be available and if the lack of notice occurs more than twice in a semester, the student may not be eligible to take lessons the following semester. If a student wishes to no longer take lessons, 2 weeks notice needs to be given to me as the instructor. No refunds will be available if a student fails to give proper notice, as I make my lesson plans in advance.
Only 2 rescheduled lessons can be made in a semester.
EXPECTATIONS/REQUIREMENTS
I teach so that children and adults can discover and love the guitar as much as I do. As such, there are certain time requirements that a student has to commit to. A beginner student needs to commit to 3 months if they want private lessons. The student also needs to commit to 100 minutes of practice time a week (20 minutes a day, 5 days a week) in addition to their lesson, which is 30 - 45 minutes in length each week. If a student begins to consistently fail at these expectations, then a probationary period might be imposed in which the student will need to meet those goals consistently for 2 weeks or the student may be no longer eligible for lessons. I am very serious about growth and learning, and I do not take money from parents or students who are unable or unwilling to meet these requirements in order to learn the guitar.
