Do NOT use "Mrs Koo" - you have been warned!

[Mrs Koo]

Sorry, I think u misunderstood my post. Like I mentioned so many times, I owe students whom I have failed to complete lessons an apology, but many of them who posted about me do not personally know me. Like I mentioned, I do teach, and many of which I just sent for exams.
And earlier on, there were people who only posted on their side of the stories in motherhood.com, they didn't even mention if I had refunded them, and why lesson was not conducted, as in the case of this mummy called Louisa. She had asked for a termination cause I neeeded a 15 mins time shift which she didnt understand why in the very end. But I refunded her too, but she kept posting and posting even afer I did, and I merely kept quiet cause I didn't feel like being a part of all this.
But like I mentioned, so many many times, I do owe students whom I have missed alot of classes these few months an apology, and esp. whom have made payments in full. I do beilieve also I have refunded them if not, partials and to which I am still reverting back with refunds.
All I ask for is that people who r not involved pls do not give unfounded statement, I actually do teach, and though I have missed alot of classes lately, but I am also the type of teacher who'll stay for hours longer just to better help the student.
I have expressed apology so many times, and made it clear that this is a lesson for me that no matter what, my teachings should always come first.
But pls stop posting as if I do not teach. I do. And for these past few weeks, I've been doing nothing except making up missed classes and helping students with auditions only.
Thank you.

 

[cherry_89]

I am a current student of Mrs Koo, and I have been watching this forum thread, and contemplating whether I want to say anything or suffer in silence.

I saw Mrs Koo's apologies after the initial complaint by one or two forummers, I decide to let the matter rest, since she seems to repent sincerely. I believe everyone deserve a second chance.

BUT, however, you neglected this chance, SADLY FOR YOU, and still go back to your immoral roots of -sorry I'm sick today, can postpone to ...etc. I think I have given you enough benefit of doubt. Yes, I do not know you in person, but what does your action shows? IT SHOWS EXACTLY WHO YOU ARE.

So stop acting like you are so innocent and people are being bitchy.
My Grace is limited. And I have been very tolerant about this.

Whoever reading this forum, please take note that my intention is to let you know what a hypocrite she is and to not believe anything she say. To avoid further loss of hard earned money.

 

[Mrs Koo]

HI, i have mentioned so many times that I owe students whom I have failed to have consistent lessons an apology, so like the two before, I think u have misunderstood my post also. If I have missed your classes, I owe you an apology. BUt like I am trying to explain there are a good deal of students whom I just recently see through their exams. So please do not think that I do not teach.
And may I know who are you? WHich student of mine u r? My theory students have all completed their exams recently only and I do not remember missing any piano students's lessons lately.
Thank you.

 

[Revelt]

Oh lucky you. She owes you an apology. A lot of good THAT's gonna do.

In all honesty, your apology was renderred worthless in the self-righteous manner you delivered it.
And what's next? You gonna tell the papers or the police that they shouldn't interfere 'cos you already said sorry to those students?

How about a word or two on the alleged forged documents?

 

[theliverevolution]

Mrs Koo,
As much as I would like to believe you, unfortunately, I highly doubt that many would really believe you.
Firstly, where were you? When all of us, as SOFT people, were looking at each other waiting for an answer from you, you did not reply. The lack of an answer is not assuring to people. I believe if that you had posted what you posted much earlier, then perhaps there would be a lot less negativity.
Secondly, based on what people say, its not just US as SOFTies who have been affected. Many others have also been affected, from many other forums.
Thirdly, the current number of people who have been affected stands at 10. I believe that there are other people from other places who have been affected. 10 is not a small number, especially since all of them have been affected by you. It would be human nature to suspect something is fishy if it were only 1 or 2, maybe the most 3. But 10 people? I'm sorry, but it shows either you have really bad management skills, or really out to make a quick buck.
Fourthly, how many excuses have you been making? It seems from over the 12 plus pages over here, that you used certain excuses for far too long already. It appears to be very contradictory if you string every single one in a timeline.
Fifthly, you still wanted to collect some money from other students in advance, even up to a few days back. Its apparent that you haven't learnt your lesson.
Lastly, from the way I see it, you're handling too many students that you can actually handle. Biting off more then you can chew, you'll eventually choke. And now, you're choking.

My advice:
1) Firstly, re-evaluate the number of students that you have. Since you seem to be having more students than that you can handle, then don't accept anymore.
2) Spend time with training the students that still remain with you, don't accept anymore. Once they have reached a certain calibre, they would definitely be a lot more thankful and would put in a good word or two for you in your defence. It would not work now because there has been too much negativity about your doings, and this has been lasting for 2 to 3 years already.
3) I believe that you go to their place to teach them? How about asking them to pay you per lesson or after a certain number of lessons?
My piano teacher only asks us to pay after 4 lessons, which I pay promptly. Fair enough, you may say that because she is in my neighbourhood and is my neighbour, thus I have no choice but to pay promptly. But all her students pay promptly after 4 lessons, and not all stay around my area.
Also, whenever we are asked to pay for books that our teacher recommend us to purchase, we only pay AFTER we have gotten the books. In this way, at least this has shown that we have paid for goods that we have attained.
Also, to add on to what Revelt said, can you bring your credentials when you start with a new student? It would add a lot of credibility to your claims. My teacher would be more then willing to show us her credentials if we asked for it.

 

[Mrs Koo]

HI, sorry if my tone was bad, but I think u really misinterpret my posts. Firstly, I did not clarify cause I was busy making up lessons all this time. I was rushing students for the oct 31st theory exam of which like I mentioned, many of whom paid me in advance. I collect the fees as a course rather than per 4 lessons for theory related courses only, not practical. Cause I have alot of pass on students for theory also, so my initial thought was that by having the students make payment as a form of confirmation will be easier to manage everything. But things went unmanageable when I started having problems at home and also my own share of personal problems. That's why I mentioned that I do owe these students an apology, that my teaching should come first no matter what. All these lessons were missed during the same time, I just couldn't manage with my share of ongoing personal problems. It is not a case of I chose to attend this student's lesson and not the other. BUt I have already made personal arrangements with these students to see to the refund, most of them have gotten a full refund.
All I asked is that people who do not know the situation to stop make unnecessary remarks. And like I mentioned, I do teach, and that was why I have not replied these past few weeks.
I do not wish to explain for myself, as I have already mentioned the word apology many times. I never did once said that I am right. PLease reread my previous posts. By the way, I have never asked payment of theory books from students. Most of them I do provide the course materials f.o.c for them if they take it up as a course. Only students whom are not able to commence right away, like an earlier poster who mentioned books, as She will commence in Jan only, thus I thought it was only right that she made a minimum payment at least for the materials in the case that she does not turn up. But if she does, then the 100 will be offset for her obviously, with a deduction from her fees payment, as I mentioned that all materials are provided for actually. And as much as I hate to mentioned, the complains made did come into effect with the police, they had my credentials verified a long time ago. For now, I just wished to fully refund the few remaining students and be left alone. I have reporters calling me up and asking all sorts of really private questions, to which I also answered politely. But please do not cross the line, like I mentioned so many times, I am answerable to the students for whom I have failed to deliver the courses in full, to which most have gotten a full refund.
And there are alot more whom I just recently make up all the missed classes in time for exams, and alot more whom I have taught consistently through. And all these students all paid me in full and know where I stay. It is not a case of take money and run. But this is a lesson learnt on my part, that no matter what, my teaching should come first. This is all I have to say.
Thank you.

 

[theliverevolution]

Just one question, have you considered doing a collective class? Small groups of 2 or 3, maybe 4 would save you a lot of time, effort and energy

 

[mockingbird]

It is not whether it is late or not late, though I owe a personal apology to students whom have paid me in advance whom I have failed to meet up with lessons date, there are many whom I have see them through course completion this oct's theory exam just only. Many of which parents also paid me in full. And for those whom I have failed to meet up with lessons these whole 3 months, I have already made arrangements for refund.
So please, if you are not involved, please do not post unnecessary remarks.
Thank you.

Sure thing, "Mrs Koo".........

I may not be directly involved, in other words, my money has not been taken by you, neither have I decided to engage you, but with all due respect, ma'am, this forum is a place for music lovers. It does not go down well with me that you're picking potential "students" from here. Not to say that we did not listen to your side of the story. But it has been consistently inconsistent with the claims of (what's the number now, ten?) otherwise eager students.

Did you consider the ramifications of your actions? How other music teachers might now come under closer scrutiny due to what you've done? How an authority might now make it mandatory for all private teachers to be registered with a certain organisation before being able to teach? And all the trouble that comes with it?

And what about the documentation issues? I believe everything posted here is with good intentions of helping other music lovers. So please do not insist that people are posting unnecessary remarks.

Thank you. <---- :mrgreen:

 

[Mrs Koo]

Ok, I am sorry how my actions might implicate other teachers. This has never came to my mind, but I understand your intensions meant well.
This I am sorry.
I am referring to comments made just to chip in the fun.
I have apologised numerous times for these students that I couldn't manage all this time, and I have made refunds. So I will really like to be left alone. Like I mentioned, if it was really a take money and run, the police would have gotten me a long time ago. While it is my mistake to cancel classes to manage my own personal problems first, but I have never run away from taking responsibility. There are numerous students who chosed to stayed on and for me to make up the missed classes lately which I am utmost grateful for, amongst all this mess.
I am not a bad teacher, I have students whom have left but returned for classes.
But most importantly of all, like I mentioned, is that this is a lesson I have really learnt, that one's obligation as a teacher got to come first.
Sorry if I have put other teachers in a bad light.
Thank you.

 

[dazzling717]

Mrs. Koo, you didn't take the money and run, but does that mean you're not a big liar. You're a chronic and incorrigible liar. Action speaks louder than words. I'd rather you keep your mouth shut and do what you should do. I shall wait and see if I'm able to get back my remaining amount as promised. It has been 3 months now.

 

[Mrs Koo]

If I had already make refunds to you, the remaining will be paid out soon also.
It really wasn't my intension to cancel classes repeatedly, but that I really cant manage ongoing things. But I will still like to espress thanks to the students who have waited for me to make up the missed classes in time for exams, and again, an apology to the many teachers here and students whom I have failed to had consistent classes these few months.
Sorry.

 

[rollie pollie]

How about your qualifications? Can you clarify that?
If you can come clean with it, that would be helpful. No one is gonna benefit from second guessing whether you are a masters degree, diploma or both or none at all.

If you are truly a good teacher, your credentials will not matter at all.

 

[theliverevolution]

Mdm, I would suggest that, if you are true to your word, then please refund our friends.

Yes, you may apologize to us. Those who have not been involved will probably take it lightly with a pinch of salt. But for those like dazzling717, please return the remainding cash asap. It seriously does NOT look good on you to have outstanding debts, both as a person and as a teacher.

Money issues are very sensitive. I believe that these students just want a quick refund of what is owed to them, and not a cent more. Perhaps, by quickly refunding all of them what is owed to them, it would be easier to settle this matter.

rollie pollie, you actually answered your own question. If she is a good teacher, she wouldn't need to show her credentials. It's just Singaporeans like to look at credentials to judge how good that person is.
Having said, I agree that she should come clean with it since she boasted about them in her ads, and also because someone has thrown some doubt on it. If she can come clean with those credentials, then that story would be turned down as just a story

 

[zxvc]

wah cant help but post something.

mrs koo, come come, better do what you promise. we'll be waiting for our cheated friends to tell us whether they are refunded or not.

 

[growlingsoulpup]

Eh I'm confused. So did she or did she not have the degree from Michigan?

 

[Mrs Koo]

I believed I have posted ealier on about my credentials being verified long time ago. I really do not wish to explain anymore, except to refund the remaining and concentrate teaching my existing students. Like I mentioned, I have testimonials of being a good teacher, but it is a big mistake I made to shelf my teaching aside in room to solve my own problems first.
I have made numerous apologies for that, and most of the students have already gotten a full refund. I really just wished to be left alone now while I make the remaining refund. If I have done something illegal, the police would have caught up with me long ago. It is just a wrong professional mistake that really affected my practice, but like I mentioned, I do teach, many of whom paid me in full too and completed the course for the 31st oct exam.
This will be my last post to this forum. I am sorry for all the frustrations and unhappiness.
Thank you.

 

[beauty_blacks]

11 months to learn

Just one question, have you considered doing a collective class? Small groups of 2 or 3, maybe 4 would save you a lot of time, effort and energy

In my opinion, it's really NOT because she has too many students, but the problem lies on her attitudes and her non-existing committments while still wanting the lesson money.

Obviously, she needs a VERY LONG time to learn, since she has been doing this since at least December 2008.
So, there are only 2 possibilities here, its either:
1) She needs a full 11 months or even more to LEARN her lesson, or
2) She actually never learns at all.

And, in additional, even IF we assumed that she has learnt her lesson, she still posted a lot of advertisements on the web to recruit new students although she knows that she cannot manage her time even with her existing students she has. You can search in google and you would know what I mean...

About some of the things she posted here earlier on, they were also her own versions of the story. Which make it look like she was not that bad afterall. But they were actually not exactly true.

About her credentials, why would an honest and dedicated teacher need to lie about her music backgrounds.. For example, 16 years experience in teaching? She is just 27 years old. Hence teaching since age of 11?
And this is just one of them.

So people, I would advise you to still be CAREFUL with her.

I truly AGREE with Cherry_89, quoted from her "....what a hypocrite she is and to not believe anything she say. To avoid further loss of hard earned money."

But it's also up to you if you want to try the painful "adventure".

 

[theliverevolution]

But it's also up to you if you want to try the painful "adventure".

No thanks, I'm doing perfectly well with my current teacher, whom I've been with for many years. And she just stays on the 6th floor of my block. I'm on the 8th, HAHAHA

 

[obetski]

well.. mrs koo.. you are in a public forum.. anybody can post anything regarding this matter.. so stop saying people who are not involve must stay away..

because it is not just you who are affected here, all teachers are affected by this issue

 

[nikolaiski]

Mrs Koo...

I highly resent the fact that you have mentioned that other forummers here have said things "in the chip of fun." Do you think ANY of this would have happened or started if you didn't instigate your victims to do so in the first place? The more I read your replies, the angrier I become, firstly because your attitude as a "qualified" pianist or musician, if you are even one with integrity, is perfectly unbecoming of what a real passionate teacher should be.

And I really get mad when I see you "spamming" all the "teacher wanted" threads with your posts, effectively robbing "students" away from everyone else, and then WORST of all..doing a very shitty job teaching them.

10 students = 1 more student EACH for every other private teacher on this forum - that's at least $100-$150 more per month in terms of income for everyone of us. And for people like me, who owes the country his/her dues and teaching at the same time, this is especially important.

And then you forget the ramifications of contract law - if you advertise yourself to be a holder of a Michigan state university (or whatever that qualification may be) you are effectively inviting potential students to learn from you based on THOSE qualifications. When they pay you money, there is an unavoidable, obvious, although unwritten CONTRACT made between you and the student, and with it comes your obligations to forfill those terms, meaning, to performed the PROMISED tasks before you are legally discharged from obligation towards your student.

If your qualifications are FAKE, you are effectively liable for civil action in the court of law as you have effectively breached previously assumed terms by being fraudulent. I hope you understand the consequences of your actions.