Hello, all. This summer, I have decided to start teaching violin private lessons. I already have four students lined up. I start next week. I’m sort of nervous; do any of you have advice? If you’re not a teacher, then did you take private lessons and remember things that your teacher did that you did/didn’t like? All of your advice is very much appreciated!
I’ve never taken nor given private music lessons, but I do coach a university ballroom dance team.
The biggest skill, and one that comes only with time, is learning to pick your battles. Students will play for you and you’ll hear 8 major problems that need to be addressed. Figure out which one or two will be the easiest to grasp at this stage, and concentrate on those. You can mention that you’re going to work on the others later, but don’t let yourself get sidetracked into trying to fix everything at once.
Try to think about why techniques work the way they do, so you can explain them at a deeper level. This makes them easier for the student to remember, and also motivates them more to actually work on things. If you can figure out what is actually going wrong with their playing, you can devise exercises to help them improve.
Don’t talk too much (this is my biggest problem in teaching). Give them some ideas, then let them try it out before you throw more at them. Give them more than one chance to try it before you start explaining again. And if they don’t “get” your first way of explaining it, try another instead of just repeating it.
Good luck! Teaching is a lot of fun.
My husband just started teaching guitar last fall. He’s got a couple of absolute beginners, a couple of people who already have sort of a good idea about what they’re doing, and a couple who just want to learn how to play “Stairway to Heaven.” 
ENugent’s advice is excellent. Start with the small stuff, then work your way up. And praise, praise, praise, especially with younger students. Rewards work well too, for very young students–my 4-year-old daughter just started taking piano lessons, and her teacher gives her stickers. My daughter loooooooves stickers, so this is a good motivator.
As you go, you’ll learn what works for each student. They’re individuals, and as you come to know them as people, it will become easier for you to teach them. And don’t take it too hard if a student quits. Some folks just aren’t cut out for violin, or if they’re like me, they’re just not cut out for any musical instrument. But that’s not your fault.
Best of luck to you! One more question, though. My husband’s students address him by his first name. What will your students call you-- Fire, or Ms. UnderpantsBoobs? 
Be well-prepared.
Be polite.
Smile 
Don’t be too worried about what they’re going to think of you. Usually they’re too wrapped up in trying to learn to notice any little mistakes you might make.
Private is much easier than school. There are small numbers; they want to be there; you don’t have to attend staff meetings.
Good luck!
Ooh I second the stickers. My old piano teacher used to give us snoopy stickers and it was great! I also had a little book where she would write what I needed to practice - depending on how old your students are, this might be a good idea.