To Whom It May Concern:
I’d like to take a moment to tell you about my son’s piano teacher, Sue Taylor. Sue has been teaching my son, Jacob, for almost 3 years, since he was just 5 years old. Although she was a bit hesitant at first because of his age, to my delight she was willing to meet with him. After the first session, Sue agreed that Jacob was reading well enough to begin piano lessons in earnest.
Knowing my son the way I do and if I’m honest, I have to admit he is a challenge. He is precocious, full of energy, intellect and an imagination that never stops! Sue stepped up to the challenge of teaching him beautifully. She was able to blend a perfect balance of freedom and structure that allowed my son to enjoy learning the piano and didn’t take the fun out of it. (Please see Jacob’s letter to Sue.)
At one point Jacob became frustrated, Sue revamped his lessons and for a while had Jacob only playing fun sheet music and not working in the ‘books’. (I love the way he kept learning, but didn’t know it!) I remember one particularly hard day at home Jacob was in tears about piano and we called Sue. She came to our home on her lunch hour (between students) to talk with Jacob, encourage him and find out why he was so upset. This is a testament to the personal interest Sue takes in her students. We found that Jacob had some physical health issues that were probably adding to his frustration, again Sue adjusted her lesson plans to work with Jacob, understanding that he would have some good weeks and some bad weeks. To hear Jacob play, you would never know that he has had these ups and downs. Sue has consistently kept Jacob progressing and enjoying every moment of it.
Sue’s use of a full-hour piano lesson is extremely valuable, especially for a younger student. I personally saw that there was more time for complete instruction, not just for the lesson at hand. She even made sure there was time for answering my son’s other questions – whether they were about the flowers she grew in her yard, or the latest thing he’d read about Mozart’s life, or what type of tea she drank, or the difference in periods of music. She is always so patient to talk with Jacob about whatever is on his mind. I saw Sue brilliantly blend teaching and fun in such a way to keep Jacob going and not waste valuable lesson time. (I’m a little jealous of Sue since I am a homeschooler and teach my kids all the time, I envy her patience!)
While it’s been hard to accept the fact that we will be losing Sue Taylor as a friend and teacher, I’m grateful to God that Sue has been in our lives the last few years. Her beautiful spirit will always be a part of our family. Anyone lucky enough to have Sue as their child’s instructor will find that they too have been truly blessed.
Sincerely,
Laura Magee