Hey Teacher Friend,

I wanted to share a quick story with you all, not because it’s dramatic or life-changing, but because it stuck with me.

A few weekends ago, I was finally finishing up painting a room when I realized I’d left the door open. A while later, I walked out to find my cat, Swiffer, completely covered in dried paint. We are talking his paws, his belly, his whiskers... all of it.

I panicked, of course, and scrambled to find a groomer who could take him on short notice. Thankfully, someone agreed. But here’s what got me:

She...apologized...to...me...for HER own business rate when she was STAYING after hours on a SATURDAY.

She was solving my last-minute mess and still felt the need to soften her own rate. Honestly, I was expecting after hours fees AND I would have been happy to pay it (considering the mess she was getting me out of)

And I thought to myself, how many times do we do that in our studios?

How often have you put together solid work, offered real value, showed up week after week and then felt like you had to apologize for setting expectations or charging appropriately?

I’ll be honest: the more I’ve leaned into having a strong teaching philosophy and clear policies, the less I feel that impulse to over-explain or justify everything. Because I don't need to. You don't need to.

It doesn’t make things perfect, but it gives me something to lean on with confidence when I start second-guessing.

Also, Swiffer actually loves his haircut (before and after below)

Latest Podcast Episode: Flex Weeks Are Not a Giveaway​
​Episode 048: The Raise You Didn’t Know You Needed

In this one, I share how I built flex weeks into my calendar, not as a bonus for families, but as a raise and a sanity-saver for me. It’s a strategic way to make your calendar work for you, and I break it down without making your schedule chaotic or your value feel discounted.

Listen on your fave podcast platform or watch here ⬇️

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On another note, if you haven’t been to my new website yet, I’ve started uploading resources there, slowly but surely. And I’ve got two free tools waiting for you:

✔️ A fully editable 2025–2026 Studio Calendar​
✔️ Customizable Student Certificates in color + black & white

You can grab both here: scrappypianoteacher.com​

Here are a few fun things I’ve seen lately in our teaching world:

• Holly Hornyan at Clever Keys Music Lessons has the most gorgeous email onboarding templates Check them out here​
• Group Illuminated just released their packages and personally, I think this is genius. You get to CHOOSE the package that best fits your needs, rather than purchasing everything (which, if you really want to you might be able to do as well...🤷🏻‍♀️)

​Group Illuminated​

​Podcast with Marie about Group Illuminated Here​

• Have you ever watched Line Rider on Youtube? We always like to end our last few minutes of Piano Parties with cupcakes and then watch a good Line Rider. It is a favorite in the studio!

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Got something cool or scrappy happening in your studio? Hit reply and let me know, I’d love to hear it and maybe share it next time!

P.S. If you’ve been enjoying the podcast, the free resources, or just appreciate a little real-talk from one teacher to another, you can always bu​y me a coffee here.

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It means a lot, and helps me keep creating things that support this community.

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Either way, I’m so grateful to have you here.

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