Educator or Entertainer?

"The cardinal sin

of an educator

is to be boring."

-Theodore Roethke


Haven't we all been there? Nodding off at a desk, counting the minutes, doodling in our notebook, watching the clock...(I had a teacher in my pre-cell phone high school days who removed the clock from the room because too many students checked it constantly!) all of these memories conclude that education is not always entertaining.

And that's OK by me.  Sometimes it's like taking a bad-tasting medicine..it will make you better in the end.  I had a childhood where we didn't have cable TV or video games and we were allowed to be bored, and I believe those experiences stretch the mind into creativity.  But, today's kids are not OK with boredom, or anything that doesn't smack of pure entertainment.  I have watched a student of mine come into the classroom, plunk himself in a seat, and announce immediately, "I'm bored!" before the class even began! Talk about a tough crowd...

Teacher Attitudes: Fallibility and Embracing Your Imperfection

Have you ever known someone who just couldn’t be wrong?  How about people who only value their own opinion?  Did you ever try to work with someone who doesn’t accept input from others?  “Miss Can’t Be Wrong” or “Mr. Perfect” can be your worst nightmare in the workplace.

One of the unlikely attitudes I’ve come to embrace as a teacher is that of fallibility.  Accepting my imperfection means that I can be wrong and that I probably will be wrong on many occasions.  My responsibility is to learn from my mistakes, and to try my best to correct any wrongs that I have caused.  Adopting the attitude of the “perpetual student” who is always learning, along with constantly adjusting my lesson delivery keeps my teaching fresh and interesting (a benefit to both me and my students!)

Why Jedi Music??

Maybe you think I must be a huge Star Wars fan, hence the title "Jedi Music".  I'm sorry to disappoint anyone who is google-ing to find their dream woman, but I didn't sleep outside in a tent for months to see "Return of the Sith", nor are my children named Luke, Leia, and Yoda.  I'm just a child of the eighties who saw the original three movies (I mean "Episodes IV, V, and VI" for those die-hards amung you) and didn't think too much about them after that.  I saw parts of the latest three movies in between nodding off at key points. Other than an experimental double bun childhood hairstyle phase, it just wasn't my thing.

I had a revisiting to the "Galaxy Far, Far Away" recently when my eight year old son became interested in Star Wars via Legos.  My husband, who was sorely disappointed in my lack of interest (or consciousness, for that matter) in Star Wars, was only too happy to dust off the old DVDs and introduce a new generation to George Lucas's brainchild. Offhandedly paying attention as usual, one particular scene did catch my attention and led to much thought.

Welcome to all who may stop by here!

This is a resource for the pre-service or beginning service elementary music teacher. I have enjoyed mentoring and cooperating with music students, student teachers, and other teachers in my twelve years in the field of education, and my goal is to organize my thoughts and advice to those just starting out in their careers. As a mom to three young children, a wife to my husband, and full-time teacher to over 700 students each week, I need some organization in my life!

This place is to eventually be a collaboration spot, with the readers sharing their own ideas and commenting (I hope often!) on my posts. Please don't feel that if a post is not current, that you should not share a comment. Because of the nature of student teaching, you could be coming across a particular issue at any time, and something in my archives may help you. Please, comment often and share the love!

Please know that I am far from a Know-It-All, as I tell my students and my own children: I am learning every day! We are so fortunate to live in this very connected world, and it just makes sense for us to utilize every resource we have to gain the knowledge to do the very best job we can in our professional lives. This blog is a communication tool to help us learn together.