National Teaching Certification Survey

Last month, I gave a brief presentation to our local music teachers association about why I pursued national teaching certification. The evening before the meeting, I had a last-minute idea to send out an email survey to my students' parents. Lucky for me, 25 responded right away. There were five questions on the survey, and "yes" or "no" answers were all that I solicited. The results were interesting.

Question 1: Are you aware that your piano teacher is nationally certified?
Yes: 56%
No:  44%

Question 2: Did you enroll your child in my studio before I received my certification? (Date supplied.)
Yes: 8%
No: 92%

Question 3: When you were shopping for a piano teacher, did credentials matter to you?
Yes: 27%
Somewhat: 15%
No: 58%*

*A majority of parents who responded with a "No" to this question indicated that references and reputation were more important than credentials.

Question 4: Do you think it is a positive thing that I am certified?
Yes: 92%
No: 8%

Question 5: Do you care one way or the other that I am certified?
Yes: 28%
Somewhat: 16%
No: 56%

In addition to the "Yes" and "No" answers which enabled me to compile this data, there were many comments offered. Here is a sampling:

• "This [certification] shows that you are engaged in professional development and concerned about the ability to share with peers."
• "I feel that any certification better enhances your resources therefore helping students learn." 
• "I appreciate your professionalism and knowledge of music."
• "If you became 'uncertified,' my child would still take lessons with you. It helps to know that a teacher is certified when shopping around for one, but once a relationship is established and experience with the teacher is gained, certification doesn't matter so much anymore. And I'm sure we can't go by certification alone when deciding what makes a good teacher."
• "Your certification means more to you and other music educators than to those of us who would love and want you for you...certification or not."
• "You are a wonderful teacher. I don't need a piece of paper to prove that."

Judging from the insight in these and other comments, I'd say I am working with a rather crackerjack group of parents. 

More information on certification through Music Teachers National Association can be found here: MTNA Certification.