I've been receiving quite a few lesson package requests from students that haven't writtn to me beforehand. Usually, these requests don't include any kind of introduction. I am confused. On the one hand, I welcome new students. And yes, I do appreciate getting paid. More students = more money, right?

But as much as I need the money, teaching isn't just about getting paid. I want to know that my potential students and I will be able to work together before I commit to a lesson package with them. I want to ensure that the student is not wasting his or her money, and he or she learns what they need to from my lessons.

Recently, I had an extremely unproductive lesson with a student, which resulted in us both agreeing to terminate the package. A day later, the student contacted me again, requesting to speak to me so that we could find a way to work together. I declined her request because I thought that I wasn't the best person to help her with her objectives. Also, I just didn't want to work with her for both professional and personal reasons of my own. 

Have you had students that you just didn't want to work with? How did you handle the situation? Do you decline lesson and package requests even if it means teaching fewer lessons during your available hours?