KSM Teacher Handbook - 2025

We’re so glad to have you on the KSM teaching team! This handbook outlines our expectations so that every teacher, student, and family has a consistent, positive experience at KSM. It’s designed to keep our studio running smoothly, our work environment respectful and welcoming, and our lessons high-quality and joyful.

KSM VALUES

  • Music is Your Birthright. Our slogan is “Bringing Out the Musician in You,” because we believe that everyone is born a musician, capable of achieving great things with the right guidance.

  • We Meet Students Where They Are. Beginner or advanced, 4 years old or retired, we tailor lessons to the individual.

  • We Teach Without Shame. No gatekeeping here, we know that everyone learns best with support.

PROFESSIONAL EXPECTATIONS

  • Maintain a positive, encouraging, and shame-free teaching tone in alignment with KSM’s values.

  • No personal phone use during lessons except in case of emergency.

  • Avoid controversial or sensitive topics unrelated to music. We are a secular business, open to all races, genders, religions, and ethnicities, treating all equally.

  • Use inclusive, respectful language with all students and families.

ENVIRONMENT

  • Maintain your teaching space in a clean and tidy condition at all times.

  • Reset your studio after each teaching session so it’s ready for the next teacher (meaning, put away instruments if needed, to make space, clean up any trash, put away papers, etc)

  • Empty trash as needed into the dumpster outside.

  • Turn off all lights and electronics before leaving.

  • Lock the studio entrance, and interior glass door if you are the last to leave.

KSM PROVIDES

  • Studio space

  • Chairs

  • Pianos

  • Music stands (1 per studio room)

  • Pencils, highlighters, dry erase markers, etc.

  • Some instrument stands

AS INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS, TEACHERS PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN THEIR OWN:

  • Instruments

  • Additional music stands or instrument stands (beyond what KSM supplies)

  • Footstools, tuners, metronomes, or other music accessories

  • Personal teaching aids, and 

  • Additional furniture (e.g., desks, shelves, seating, mini-fridges, storage)

PERSONALIZATION OF SPACE

  • Teachers are welcome to add small, portable items to support their teaching.

  • Larger additions or changes (e.g., furniture, wall hangings, rearranging items) must be approved by KSM to ensure consistency and usability for all teachers who share the space.

PERSONAL PRESENTATION

Your good grooming helps to non-verbally communicate your worth as a music educator, and desire to appear professional. 

  • Teachers are expected to arrive well-groomed and presentable.

  • Teachers are expected to maintain a standard of daily personal hygiene appropriate for a close-contact teaching environment. Please arrive fresh, clean, and ready to teach. 

  • Acceptable dress: Pants/slacks, jeans, skirts/dresses, closed-toe shoes (loafers, flats, sneakers, etc.), t-shirts, and button-down shirts.
    Not acceptable: Leggings as pants, open-toe shoes, athletic wear, worn items with holes.

COMMUNICATION & SCHEDULING

  • Check and respond to KSM communications (email & Opus1) within 2 business days.

  • When you are ill/under the weather - notify your students using Opus1, email, or text, telling them that you will not be able to teach that day and they will receive a makeup credit for their lesson. REQUEST CONFIRMATION that your student has received your message. 

    • If you do not receive confirmation at least 2 hours before your lessons, call your students directly. If you are too ill for this step, or you can’t get a hold of them, notify Clay and/or Kat so that they can reach out. This is to avoid a situation where your student shows up, but you are not in and Kat / Clay are not in the know.

  • If you experience an emergency and cannot teach or reach out to your students, notify Clay/Kat immediately. 

  • If you will be out for a vacation, please provide at least 2 weeks’ notice, and promptly schedule your makeups with students.

  • All makeups and reschedules must be booked in Opus1 for payroll.

  • ANY and ALL studio use must be approved by Kat and/or Clay 24 hours ahead of use.

STUDENT INTERACTIONS

  • Always greet students and parents warmly.

  • Start and end lessons on time to respect schedules.

  • Keep lesson content age-appropriate.

  • Maintain student confidentiality—do not share personal details without consent.

ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES

  • Take attendance in Opus1 at the end of each teaching day. This is how KSM runs payroll, so make sure your attendance is correct and complete.

  • Report any incidents or student concerns via email to Kat/Clay on the day they occur.

  • Report facility or equipment issues promptly.

PAYROLL & CONTRACT TERMS

  • Understand the pay structure of KSM. 

    • KSM pays you for each lesson taught.

    • KSM pays you for lessons that are cancelled by the student, and no-shows.

    • KSM does not pay you when you cancel a lesson, you will be paid when you teach the makeup lesson for your cancellation.

  • Know your lesson pay, and keep track of your lessons to double check your pay. 

  • Know what classes are being offered, and where to direct students for information.

  • As a contract employee, you are welcome to teach for yourself, and for other music schools to reach the student capacity you seek. 

  • Understand that as a contract worker, you will receive a 1099, not a W-2, and are responsible for holding back and paying your own income taxes. We suggest 25-30%. 

REPRESENTING KSM OUTSIDE THE STUDIO

  • Maintain professionalism at performances, competitions, and community events.

  • Avoid posting inappropriate content on public social media accounts that could be linked to KSM.

These terms are subject to change at any time, and will be updated periodically.

Thank you for being part of the Kat Starr Music team. Each of you brings your own strengths, experiences, and personality to our studio, and that’s what makes KSM such a vibrant, inspiring place for students to learn. 

We believe in open communication and mutual respect. If you have questions, concerns, or ideas for improvement, we’re always happy to discuss them with you. You are welcome to email or chat with Kat and/or Clay about any questions or concerns you have. 

Together, we can continue to make KSM a place where music, creativity, and community flourish!

Clay Faris - 615.403.6163           Kat Starr - 865.306.8180

claytonfaris@gmail.com               katstarr34@gmail.com