ex-student doesn't want return teacher's book

greenspun.com : LUSENET : Everything About Teaching and Learning the Piano : One Thread

Hello everybody,

I have an ex-student who has stopped taking lesson with me a couple month ago because she was very busy in school. Till now, she still doesn't want return back my book. I have asked her by phone call many times but she always say, "Sorry, still don't have time to return it".

As a teacher, I realize that should not lend the books to students. They should buy by theirself. But that time, the book was out of stock in store and I was forced to lend her.

How to get my book back soon? I really need it but seems it's so difficult to get it back. Thanks a lot.

-- noname (noname_poster@yahoo.com), October 15, 2003

Answers

I can't imagine such an attitude as exhibited by your student! How old is she? If she is young, have you by chance spoken to her parents or guardian? Does she live close by so that you can just go over there and collect your book? Perhaps it is lost and the student is reluctant to tell you. I really can't think of anything else you can do except pester the student until she gives in, in exasterperation, and returns your property. Good luck! (Or maybe just give up and try to get another copy through a used-book/music store!)

-- Shirley Gibson (sacgibbson@juno.com), October 19, 2003.

Have you considered MAILING a bill for the books. A nice 'note' with it thanking her for taking lessons in the past, encouraging her to continue with her music one day and then say...I have enclosed a bill for some of MY books that haven't been returned. If you don't have a need for these books, you can return them with the bill, but I need to replace them a.s.a.p.

I think that would be both professional AND get the point across.

Anita

-- Anita (abkuntz@sasktel.net), October 19, 2003.


Shirley and Anita, thanks a lot for your advice.

I think, am forced to give up, let she brings my book and try get another copy. I don't want waste my time to think about a bad ex- student, I still have another important job to do, like teach another good students, preparing their exams, etc.

I have learnt from this experience. Next time I won't let students bring my book to their house. If the book is out of store, I will lend them only in the lesson.

-- noname (noname_poster@yahoo.com), October 30, 2003.


Finally, I got the books but another problem has come.

When I gave up, I called to the substitute teacher (my friend), "Let she (15yo) bring my books". My friend asked me, "Why changes your mind?". I said,"My student just told me that his CD's also weren't returned by her old brother. So, they are same, if lend something, they won't return. But, please don't talk about it to her".

This friend, I have never supposed, is a big mouth people. Though she has promised no to tell her but she did. Yesterday, the old brother (19yo) called my student (17yo) when he was taking lesson in my house. He abuse my student and I.

But my student didn't afraid with him at all. He faced him with calm. I said sorry to my student because I have talked about his CD's to my friend and he said, "It's OK".

I really didn't understand, how this old brother and her sister (my ex-student) can be angry whereas my student and I were harmed by their attitude. We lost our valueable things actually we are angry, not them.

What do you think about my friend as a substitute teacher? Why she didn't want keep secret? I'm worry if she will tell another gossips (untrue) story about me to this ex-student and her brother will abuse me again. What I have to do if she really did? I just don't want have any relationship with them anymore, including my friend.

-- noname (noname_poster@yahoo.com), November 24, 2003.


Sorry, I have forgotten to explain something: This ex-student, finally, take lesson again with my friend, not with me. I thought, she didn't match with me so she left me with reason "busy on school". Thank you very much.

-- noname (noname_poster@yahoo.com), November 24, 2003.


Moderation questions? read the FAQ