Central Section Update

by Michael Tackett

Greetings from the Central Section!

When thinking back on the beginning of my teaching career, I remember the wonderful feeling of directing an ensemble for the first time, but also remember the hardships. There is not enough education in the world to prepare a first-year music educator for the classroom. Most learning occurs in those first few years, and as we all know, continues throughout your career. For this article, I wanted to reach out to a new teacher with the hope that other new teachers would read this and know they are not alone.

I had the immense pleasure of interviewing Tori Kuykendall, the director of bands at Hanford High School in Hanford, California. Tori is a graduate of Biola University and is in her second year of teaching Beginning Band, Jazz Band, Marching Band, Symphonic Band, Marching & Concert Percussion, and Color Guard. Tori, thank you for taking the time to do this interview while balancing your busy schedule!

1.Why did you decide to become a music educator?

Music has always been a big part of my life. I remember going to my grandpa’s music store and playing with all sorts of instruments including the didgeridoo! I stuck with band throughout my junior high and high school years. My high school Band Director had an enormous impact on my decision to become a Band Director. I had always admired his deep passion for music and his great skill in teaching and I wanted to continue his legacy- I wanted to bring up students that know and love music as much as I do! I knew I had a passion for music, a knack for teaching, and a love for people, so I chose music education.

2. What are the biggest challenges you have faced in the past two years?

There are numerous challenges in being a Band Director. Some of the biggest challenges I faced these past two years were building a new and healthy classroom culture, re-creating music curriculum in a socially-distant-online environment, navigating facility requests, field trip requests, budget reports, all administration type things (that are not taught in school), and encouraging parent support and involvement.

3. What aspects of your undergraduate education helped you the most in preparing for your first teaching job?

Biola has a neat music education program. The way they have set it up is students can receive their bachelor’s degree while also completing credentialing courses and veteran teacher observation hours. Once you complete your four years of undergraduate, you will be able to go straight into student teaching for one semester only. This was great for me since I was able to experience the classroom setting and utilize professor feedback instantaneously. I gleaned so much from the structure of their music education program.

4. What support (person/organization) have you benefited the most from the past two years and why?

My New Teacher Induction Program mentors and music colleagues have benefited me most. I meet with my NTI mentor weekly to discuss teaching and/or any needs I may have. I have been able to bounce ideas off my mentor, explore new topics and teaching strategies with my mentor, and learn so much from my mentor. Like my NTI mentors, the Performing Arts PLC has been a great resource and support for me. The PLC members are so welcoming and kind so I feel that I can discuss the curriculum, work together to innovate the music program, and express my worries and concerns.

5. What is the biggest lesson you have learned since you have started teaching?

The biggest lesson I have learned since I have started teaching is to allow myself time to create discussions, whether big or small, and that I cannot control everything.

6. What advice would you give a new music teacher?

My best piece of advice that I would give to a new teacher is to open yourself up to as many resources as possible and do not be afraid to advocate for yourself and your program! There are many components when it comes to being a Band Director and it is important to have as many people as possible in your corner to help make your program successful.

7. How do you practice self-care as a band director?

Self-care is so hard to do as a Band Director, but simple steps I like to take are scheduling out time to do self-care and asking others to keep me accountable with doing so.

8. How did you navigate your first-year teaching during COVID?

It was tricky navigating COVID-19 during my very first year as a Band Director. My “lighthouse,” per se, was my colleague Jennifer McGill. Each day had unique challenges and each day Jen would check on me. She and I had countless conversations about ways to adapt my curriculum into a virtual format, techniques to encourage a positive learning environment, and school logistics. If it were not for Jen, I would not have made it through! Another resource was