In this reflective conversation, I sit down with Christina Whitlock to look back on years of piano teaching and talk honestly about how perspective changes over time.

We reflect on practice expectations, overscheduled students, burnout, perfectionism, and the quiet pressures piano teachers carry, often without realizing it. This episode is not about fixing anything. It is a thoughtful conversation between two experienced teachers sharing what they have noticed after decades in the studio.

If you are a piano teacher who feels tired, reflective, or simply wants to listen in on an honest, unfiltered conversation about teaching music long term, this episode is for you.

Topics we discuss include:
• What piano teachers tend to feel most tired of over time
• Practice struggles and shifting expectations
• Overscheduled students and modern studio realities
• Giving yourself grace as a teacher
• Letting go of perfectionism in lessons and life
• Teaching piano with perspective and sustainability

This episode is part of The Scrappy Piano Teacher Podcast, a space for real conversations about music teaching, studio life, burnout, and building a sustainable career.

What does it really mean when we say our piano studios are “taking a break”?

In this Scrappy Snippet, Jaclyn Mrozek talks through the confusion around winter break, piano practice expectations, and what rest actually looks like for students. December can feel heavy for both teachers and students, and this episode offers a grounded, realistic approach to letting students rest without guilt or pressure.

You’ll hear why rest matters from a learning perspective, including insights inspired by Learn Faster, Perform Better by Molly Gebrian. Jaclyn also shares how she personally handles winter break practice in her studio, why she gives students choices, and what she actually sends home with students during this time of year.

This episode is for piano teachers who are asking:
• Should students practice over winter break• What does “taking a break” really mean in a piano studio• How do we reduce pressure without lowering standards• What should the last week of December lessons look like

Jaclyn also shares practical, low-pressure ideas for the final week before break, including optional resources and story-based learning for younger students.

Resources mentioned:• Learn Faster, Perform Better by Molly Gebrian• Susan Paradis studio-licensed collections at susanparadis.com• Wendy Stevens’ Beautiful Places series from Compose Create at composecreate.com• Coda’s Ornament holiday piano storybook• December Piano Party Pack

Today’s episode is one big exhale for every piano teacher who is carrying a lot right now.

Teaching does not happen in a vacuum. It happens inside the real life we are living, with all its surprises, interruptions, emotions, and responsibilities. And if you have ever tried to teach through a full life season, today’s conversation is for you.

I recently went to a teacher Christmas brunch, and it was such a reminder that even the most grounded teachers are juggling real things behind the scenes. Leaking ceilings, overwhelmed moms, recital prep, teenagers, holiday pressure. And on that same day, I was dealing with a migraine so intense I could barely function. My family stepped in and did everything for recital night, and it reminded me how much we expect ourselves to carry alone.

This episode is not really about December. It is about the truth that matters in every season of studio life. Piano teachers are human. Independent music teachers are human. And your real life does not disqualify you from being a good teacher. It shapes the way you show up with depth and compassion.

Inside this episode you will hear:
• What “teaching while human” really looks like• The emotional load piano teachers carry behind the scenes• How real life and teaching life collide• Why overwhelm does not mean you are failing• Encouragement for teachers navigating burnout, stress, or busy seasons• One gentle reflection question you can take into any month of the year

This episode is perfect for:Piano teachers, independent music teachers, studio owners, group piano teachers, new teachers finding their footing, seasoned teachers needing encouragement, and anyone feeling stretched between teaching and real life.

Join the Scrappy Circle, Find the December Piano Party Pack, and join the Winter Workshop all at www.scrappypianoteacher.com

This Scrappy Snippet is a fast December piano resource roundup filled with easy lesson ideas for the busiest month of the year.

Perfect for group piano teachers, private teachers, and anyone who needs low prep Christmas activities that work for many ages.

In this episode I share● Christmas by Ear for aural work● Nutcracker Rhythm Cup Explorations● Lead sheet Christmas arrangements for teens● Quick December piano games● Composer study ideas● A December performance challenge● And three ways to find more teacher community this month

Full blog with every link mentioned
scrappypianoteacher.com/scrappynotes/decemberresources

Featured links
December Piano Party Packscrappypianoteacher.com/resources/p/december-piano-party-pack

Free Scrappy Circle Teacher Meet Uppianokats.kit.com/decemberscrappycircle

Winter Workshop for Teacherspianokats.kit.com/winterworkshop

New episodes drop weekly. Thanks for listening.

Teaching follows a rhythm and some months feel heavier than others. In this episode I talk about the seasons of a teaching year, why certain months can feel overwhelming, and how the science behind decision fatigue and burnout explains the stress independent teachers carry. You will hear simple shifts that help you move through the hard seasons with more clarity, more energy, and less mental load.

I also share a few ideas for simplifying December lessons and preparing for spring so you can protect your energy instead of running on empty. Understanding these patterns helps you stop blaming yourself and start supporting yourself with routines that work.

If you want ready to use ideas for December, the December Piano Party Pack is available on my site. The Winter Workshop opens soon and will guide you through building systems that support your teaching life all year long.

You deserve a studio that fits your life. You deserve to feel steady in every season.

Grab the December Piano Party Pack www.scrappypianoteacher.com/resources/p/december-piano-party-pack

Visit the website for more Black Friday Deals www.scrappypianoteacher.com

Subscribe for all updates! https://pianokats.kit.com/scrappy

This Scrappy Snippet is a five minute studio policy reset for music teachers who want a smoother second half of the teaching year. This is not about rewriting your entire policy or sending long emails to parents. Instead, I guide you through a simple self audit so you can see what is working, what feels fuzzy, and where your boundaries have started to slide.

We talk about clarity, communication, exceptions, morale, and the importance of leading your studio with confidence. Think of it like wiping down the counters in your studio grocery store so everything feels calmer and more grounded again.

If you missed my Scrappy Snippet called Dont Be the Grumpy Grocery Store, go listen to that next. These two pair together if you are ready for a smoother, clearer, more confident studio season.

For more resources for piano teachers and music teachers, visit www.scrappypianoteacher.com.

Need help with your policy? I got you with this policy workbook -> www.scrappypianoteacher.com/resources/p/calendar-policy-scrappy-session-toolkit-replay-workbook-templates

Partner lessons, also called buddy lessons, have become one of my favorite formats in the studio.

In this episode, I’m sharing exactly how I teach and structure them, what a 45 minute format looks like, and how I decide which students to pair together. I’ll walk through how partner lessons help with scheduling, practice motivation, and even teacher burnout.

If you’ve ever wondered how to find a balance between group and private piano lessons, or how to bring collaboration into your studio without doubling your hours, this episode will help you get started. You’ll hear how I plan lessons in ten minute segments, how I build in flexibility for different personalities and skill levels, and how partner lessons can support overscheduled students while keeping your teaching flow simple and steady.

Whether you call them partner piano lessons, buddy lessons, or duet lessons, these strategies will help you save time, improve studio organization, and create more connection in your teaching week.

Have questions or want to connect? Reach out and subscribe at jaclyn@scrappypianoteacher.com

Check out Boom Cards for your studio at boomlearning.com

Ever feel like your piano studio has turned into a grumpy grocery store?

In this Scrappy Snippet, I’m talking about what grocery store customer service can teach us about piano teacher leadership, studio systems, and creating a positive studio mindset.Our energy matters. How we show up in lessons affects everything: student morale, parent communication, and even how sustainable our teaching week feels. This one’s for every independent music teacher who’s ever walked into a lesson burned out, unorganized, or on autopilot.Let’s be real. Studio wellness doesn’t come from another planner or policy. It comes from how we manage our time, systems, and boundaries as teachers. So if you’ve ever wondered how to keep your piano studio running smoothly without turning into the grumpy grocery store, this one’s for you.Listen to more episodes of The Scrappy Piano Teacher Podcast wherever you stream.Visit the website for more resources and subscribe at www.scrappypianoteacher.com