Becoming a piano teacher?

Question

After my start in college 3 years ago. I took computer science as my major, confused on my future and what not. After a year of that I figured it wasn't my type of field, it was boring to me and complicated. Music was where I wanted to be, piano to be exact.

So I changed my major to music and started taking music classes. My goal was to hopefully become a school piano teacher, not the type that goes to peoples houses and teaches, but the classroom type. So far i'm loving music and its great.
So far I know what classes I have to take, other than that I really dont know what it takes to become a teacher. Do I have to get like some kind of license and credentials and all that stuff? Someone give me some tips so I can start working on it now.

Answer 1

You need to hook up with a counselor at your school, who can tell you what you need to do. As far as I know, your college should be able to help you get a license.

I'm wondering, though, what kind of jobs are out there for class piano teachers in schools today. General music teachers have a hard enough time finding a full-time job; I can't imagine you being able to find anything more than part-time, unless you also give private lessons.

Also, you need to be in private piano lessons yourself, find out from your professor what you need to work on to improve your playing enough to be able to teach.

When you can play well enough to teach, according to your private teacher's opinion, find out if your college has a conservatory where you could teach a few lessons for practice. Make sure it's your thing before committing to it.

Being a piano teacher does sound like lots of fun, but I've dealt with too many teachers who love kids and piano, but have no real teaching skill. I've gotten too many students with bad habits from these teachers. The best way to test out your abilities is by taking on a few student guinea pigs and seeing what you can do with them.

Answer 2

Anyone can be a music teacher with enough passion and high leveled learning. Finish learning the piano till grade 8 at minimum before thinking about teaching. You would be more well respected if you also got a diploma.