Unless things have changed while I wasn't looking, I don't believe background checks are done. This site is comprised of guitarists that help other guitarists. The lessons area is basically our way of teaching others via the innerwebs.

Someone correct me if I'm completely wrong here.

-Willie

You hit it on the nose James!

Guess I should have explained. I was looking for a guitar teacher for my daughter and found this site. I found one of the teachers listed is a convicted rapist and is listed on the national registry. Teaching via the internet might be ok but I would think teaching private lessons should NOT be permitted and surprised you would want to be affiliated! Just my opinion!

i agree, and i, as a teacher, value your opinion.
but maybe thats a very judgemental statement,
maybe this particular teacher your speaking of is
attempting to change his life and be a better
person. maybe, like you and i, music is his
passion. and maybe you have no knowledge of any
situation he has been through or put in. just
saying that i think this person has paid his debt
and thats his past. and yes i do have a daughter.
maybe supervised lessons would be in order. and
remember that were all doing this because we want
to and we volunteer. because we love music.

You have been given responses from members of this site not the folks who run it. We the members have no say in what happens here and do not have the ability to ban or ignore other users. We are a friendly site where people share thoughts on music and general music stuff.

In any event I would not allow a child of mine to have Internet lessons with anyone convicted on child rape, let alone one on one lessons.

What is a child rapist doing out of prison in the first place?

Some crimes should be a life sentence if the situation warrants it.

As far as I'm concerned, almost all heinous crimes should be dealt with within a couple months. Death penalty implied almost immediately (Crimes such as random murders)...No questions asked. No appeal, no trial...

Although, I feel some torture is needed before the actual death sentence. (Maybe a month's worth?)

No 2nd chances.... Goodbye, Saionara, See Ya...

You have used up your one chance to be a civilized human being. You just gave up that right...LATER!

Would sure put a damper on gang activity!

I agree. Rape, murder and child molestation are crimes that should be go straight to jail and never get out. For planned crimes like murder, rape and robbery with violence then straight to death row.

At some point a person can loose their right to be part of society and as such should be removed as soon as possible.

Couldn't agree more.

My sister got murdered in 2007 by a mindless low
life.

He got "life sentences' BUT with minimum of 18
years before eligible for parole.

In my my he should never get out.

Mo

He shouldn't be "alive" anymore.

I don't get it, bullets cost around .50c ea...To run a government program like Death Row costs us BILLIONS per year....You want savings, well, there it is!

I'll even offer up my own sharpshooting services, AND my own personal ammo, so, it won't cost us taxpayers a single dime!

Mo that sucks big time. Sorry to hear about your sister man.

There is no truth in sentencing in Australia either. Life here is about 24 years and then that gets cut to about 14 years with 'good behaviour' and some get out in 8 years.

If you take a life with malice you should serve or forfeit your life.

Sorry to hear of that dude. I agree with you that he should never get out.

I am sorry to hear about your sister.

My affiliation with this site has nothing to do with what I used to offer nor my association to other instructors. All sites are available to people who are interested in the advancement of the instrument and are willing to share knowledge with others. As for you experience, it is too bad that you came across a seed that does not meet your criteria but not everyone here are like that.

When looking for an instructor, it is best to get recommendations anyway as not all instructors are able teach younger children. In fact someone may not even be a good teacher at all. Lots of instructors out there from this site as well as many others. You will run into those same type of issues.

For you and your daughters concern, I would recommend that you check at your local music store for lessons. That way you won't be dealing with these types of tidings.

Thanks to all who responded. I guess I didnt realize the magnitude of this site and all that it offers. But as a parent you can imagine my surprise, to find what I thought sounded like a potential teacher based on what he posted for his Experience and Personal Statement, to find him listed on this registry with 19 offenses. Maybe he has served his time but after researching I have found some "untruths" in his experience as well. I appreciate the advice on searching for a new teacher!

I agree with Randy, go to a music store for lessons. Sit in the lesson with your daughter. I am a guitar teacher and I prefer that the parent sits in lesson with us for a while, especially if they are young. It helps the student to get comfortable while we all get to know each other, and it also helps to have the parent understand what we are doing in lesson so they can assist their child at home.

As for the convicted rapist, I'm sorry, but I don't care if he's paid his debt to society. I would not have my child anywhere near him. Call me judgmental or whatever, but I'm not taking chances with that stuff. I'd rather be safe than sorry. Trust your gut instinct!!

Dan thanks for mentioning what I failed to mention about sitting with the child while the lesson is taking place. The nice part about that as well is the parent maybe able to assist the child at home with the lesson. And the part I like the best is, that the parent can witness the instructor's teaching methods. This works to the advantage of both parties - with the parent/student it offers the decision to continue with this teacher or move on; with the instructor it offers how well the material is being presented to the student as well as the parent who maybe a non-player. If the parent is a player, then hopefully the parent is quiet and just observes rather that assists.

At the shop I teach at, the owner requires each person to go to the local sheriff's department and fill out a form. They then do a background check on you. His policy is, you refuse to fill out the form, you don't teach there.

Also, I keep the door open (we don't have windows in the doors yet). That way, the parent can sit just outside the door and listen and observe. I do have a few teen aged students and an adult that prefer the door closed, just since they feel a bit self conscious about their playing right now.

But the windows in the doors are the owner's next project. That way, folks can see in, and the teachers can see out and and keep an eye on anyone coming in.

As for the parents being in the room, it's a bit small and would get pretty stuffy. But, I do ask the parent, for the younger kids, to come in and listen to the homework assignments.

As for a sexual criminal record, no way would I allow my kid to take lessons from that person.
Andy S.

Very fair assessment bro!

A few years back, Charles Gacsi had listed information on teaching music .... would be good reading for anyone looking for a teacher, or wanting to teach, or even just someone learning on their own.