Sean - Teacher #2629

Instruments:
- Guitar
- Piano
- Trombone
- Trumpet

Services:
- Music History
- Music Theory (Beginner-Intermediate)
- RCM - Basic Harmony
- RCM - Intermediate Rudiments

Languages:
- English

Teaching Philosophy

I believe that education has the purpose of helping students achieve their personal best in all that they do. Whether it is intellectually, creatively, emotionally or socially, students should be encouraged and supported to achieve success and growth through these four aspects: being part of an inclusive community, creating a safe, comfortable environment, the teacher as inspirer and facilitator, and student-centred learning.

An inclusive community is the context in which students learn best. All students have an equal right to education and have the ability to grow and learn. An inclusive community is earmarked with respect and understanding of each other and the diversity that exists. When students feel respected and understood they gain a sense of belonging. When students feel accepted they are more willing to take risks and inquire about something new. Educational leaders have done research suggesting that a sense of belonging is paramount to the students success in education and life. For example, Bergin and Bergin (2009) suggests that “school bonding is akin to attachment in that it can make children feel secure and valued, which can liberate them to take on intellectual and social challenges and explore new idea.” Furthermore, partnering with parents, faculty, administration and community leaders is essential in creating opportunities for students to fulfill their potential and smoothly transition through the important stages of education and life.

Relating to community is the physical space in which they learn. Creating an environment that is purposeful to learning is important in supporting students in their learning and creating a positive experience in the classroom. Furthermore, creating an environment that reflects the community can strengthen the sense of student belonging.

The teacher is a inspirer and facilitator. I believe the teachers role is to inspire students to become life-long learners. I think the teacher has to be the role model. The teacher has to be a life-long learner and show enthusiasm for the curriculum that is being taught. The teacher also is a facilitator in that they create a framework through engaging material, multi-faceted activities and creative assessment strategies that support the student to achieve success and foster an authentic appreciation for the content.

Student-centered learning is all about the student. It is important to create curriculum that is meaningful to the student and assessments that engage them in real world skills and issues. When students are emotionally engaged in an activity they are intrinsically motivated to achieve success. Creating emotional connections to curriculum and assessment is a key way of encouraging students to become life-long learners. For example, in the music classroom a teacher could choose music that the students enjoy (from popular culture, etc.). Another example of creating emotional connections to assessments might be creating opportunities to perform and showcase their learning through performing in a festival or going on a band tour to a destination that the students are excited about.

Musical Education

My name is Sean. I am a middle school music teacher and private teacher in brass instruments and jazz/pop/beginner/intermediate classical piano. I have have more than 16 years of experience teaching brass and piano to all ages and abilities from Kindergarten age to adult. I also perform trumpet and piano in the Vancouver area in various ensembles from big band/jazz to classical.

I have a classical trumpet degree from Trinity Western University (TWU) and a Bachelor of Education degree from the University of BC (UBC).

Rates

30 Minutes: $39.00
45 Minutes: $49.00
60 Minutes: $59.00

There is a one-time registration fee of 25 $ charged with the first lessons. All Taxes are included in prices, if applicable

NOTE: Your Credit card will be charged ONLY when the first lesson is set up and confirmed with the teacher

Policies


1. Cancellation Policy

Lessons not cancelled or rescheduled with at least 24 hours notice are billable to the client and payable to the teacher. This does not of course apply to travel fees unless the notice is effectively given at the door and the teacher has travelled to the location.

2. Cessation (quitting) Policy

A client must provide a 2 lesson notice period to stop lessons. So a weekly student needs to give 2 weeks of notice, a biweekly student works out to 3 weeks notice and a twice weekly student works out to a week of notice.

3. Illness Policy

Lessons cancelled due to illness or extraordinary circumstances with less than 24 hours notice remain billable to the client and payable to the teacher.

BAH teachers are encouraged to offer a make-up lesson at a future date in the interest of client relations and general goodwill. This only makes sense as teaching a student with the flu for example, will ruin the rest of your week's employment.

No more than 2 lessons may be made up due to illness within a 60 day period.

4. Rescheduling Policy

Any lesson can be cancelled or rescheduled with at least 24 hours notice.

Summer Vacation and Extended Absence Policy

Clients may schedule longer absences for trips etc. 24 hours notice is required.

It is normal and typical for students and about 20% of our teachers to schedule a break in the summer. We do not enforce a notice period (see cessation of lessons) at the end of a long summer break.

5. Evaluation Period

There are no free trial lessons with Beethoven at Home but we do offer a 2 lesson evaluation period where it is easy to try out a teacher. There are no free lessons during the evaluation period and clients may choose to discontinue the lessons at any time by providing the required 24 hours notice. After the student's 3rd lesson the required 2 lesson notice period will apply (see cessation of lessons above).