Thrive and Survive: Lessons from my First Year of Teaching by Nico Salum Needless to say, the past few years have been one for the books. As we continue to navigate through these crazy times, teacher shortages due to burnout, resignations and retirements, now more than ever we need to focus on retaining and developing new and emerging music teachers that are equipped and resilient enough to tackle modern challenges in music education. While I learned several lessons throughout my first year of teaching, the following were ones that I repeatedly heard from my mentors and friends. These lessons anchored and grounded me in times when I felt like I was barely surviving and times when I genuinely felt like I was thriving. As we continue to rest and reflect on this past year of school, I hope that my reflections can serve as a guide for other new and emerging music teachers.
Give yourself grace.
You will experience some rough times. It happens to even the best teachers. It could be as small as an unsavory interaction with a student during a lesson, a string of rough lessons or rehearsals, up to days or weeks of feeling like nothing is clicking. Don’t let these rough patches convince you that you aren’t enough. Remember that you’re just as human as everybody else around you. Give yourself grace by admitting that it’s okay to not be perfect. Breathe. Forgive and support yourself just as you would your dearest friend.
Think like a beginner.
Reminisce on your many firsts as a student. Your first day in kindergarten, your first time holding an instrument or singing with others, your first performance on a stage. You probably had a lot
of questions, concerns and anxious feelings, many of which other beginners then and now continue to have. You’re a new, emerging teacher. You’re not going to know absolutely everything about the job and that’s okay. Your students, coworkers, and community aren’t expecting you to know all the answers and solutions. Allow yourself to be vulnerable - be teachable, be curious, seek not just answers but also the process of getting to those solutions. Give yourself the freedom of a beginner’s mindset not stubbornly tethered to what we already know.
Don’t put yourself on an island.
Many of us may be departments of one in our school sites and districts. It’s easy to feel isolated and unconnected to those around us. Get to know more than just your administrators. Make meaningful connections with grade-level teachers, custodial staff, office and other support staff. These professional relationships can become unsung foundations to becoming a better music teacher and building a robust music program. Additionally, don’t forget to reconnect and nourish your relationships with people outside of teaching and music. There is a world outside of our careers and spending time with people outside of teaching and music will help you stay fresh mentally.
About the Author
Nico Salum is an elementary music teacher serving Greenfield Union School District in Bakersfield, CA
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CMEA Magazine
