In January of 2007, a good friend called and told me that she was leaving teaching, that she got a better offer. After a polite amount of words of congratulations and encouragement, I had to ask “when are you leaving and who can you mention my name to?”
I had been out of the classroom for four years, I was a SAHM. “Stay At Home Mom”. I was usually in pajamas until about 10 am. I spent most of my time doing very glamorous things like wiping bottoms and going on playdates and singing songs and giving hugs. It was wonderful in many beautiful ways, but I so missed being a teacher. Wearing a suit. Conducting a band. Adjusting reeds.
I knew that my friend was interested in a career change and I will admit, I was really wanting her job. I was a bit of a vulture, I suppose. I updated my resume and my files, I put in a letter of interest. I bought a new suit and a new briefcase, hired a sitter and went to my first job interview in nine years. I was hired as a long-term sub and within days, I had to get back in teaching-shape. Oh, and I had to find childcare for my two children. It was hectic. It was stressful. But oh. It was so much fun. I finished the school year and just hoped and hoped that I would be hired permanently over the summer.
During the third interview for the job, I was asked the question, “what do you do???” One of the interviewers said that he kept hearing really good things about me. Parents had written letters of recommendation for me, colleagues had given unsolicted words in support of me getting a permanent contract and students said some really nice things about my classroom. He wondered what it was that I did, to gain such enthusiasm.
I really did not know how to answer the question, because it all seems like a no-brainer to me and hard to put into words. I am not perfect, but it all usually comes pretty naturally to me. Enjoy and like children. Care about them and their families. Go early and stay late (a little hard, now that I am a mommy). Nurture each child, believe in every single one of them. Challenge them; push them and help them to practice and to include music in their life. Fit in with the school and the other teachers, make decisions that are best for the child. Be happy that you are a music educator.
There are probably a hundred other things that I do, that add up to being a decent music educator. But those listed above are probably what has driven me thus far. It is all about the child.
2 Comments
January 21, 2008 at 9:46 pm
Linda,
If only we could make “enjoying and loving” children, “nurture the children”, “care about them and their families”.. prerequisites to becoming educators! It seems like a no-brainer…if you educate you must like children right? All too often I’ve seen educators in action that make me wonder if they truly DO like children! Go figure?
I applaud your efforts and enthusiasm. The fact that you care can be seen in your posts.
Best regards,
J. Pisano
February 5, 2008 at 4:25 am
What a great testimony! I’m sure your enthusiasm is infectious!
Having studied with an above-average number of music teachers in my formative years, and now being part of the profession, I can say that by no means does every music teacher share your energy. There are certainly a lot of people out there who fell back on teaching after their performing careers fizzled, or earned their credential because they couldn’t think of anything else to do. This sad status is probably more common among classroom teachers than music teachers, but it’s out there!
I’ve read a number of blogs on the importance of loving kids. Although it may not be the absolute number one top ingredient of great music instruction, it’s certainly way up there on the list. And when it’s not there, no amount of great pedagogy can make up for it.