Ten Things I Wish I Knew Before Teaching Elementary General Music... Amy M. Burns Far Hills Country School aburns[at]fhcds.org
Reasoning: Because they run the school, they know all, you cannot run your program without them, and they rarely have a break.
Recently, a member of the Midnight Music Community brought up an interesting topic: "10 Things I Wish I Knew Before Teaching." Several members, me included, provided their insights. Following that, Midnight Music posed a similar question on their Facebook Group, asking for advice that we would give to new teachers. That question and this topic change for me annually as what I felt I needed to know when I first started teaching is not what I would advise 25+ years later. Here are 10 items I wish I knew before teaching elementary general music and would give advice to a new teacher today.
3. Even if you have very little earnings, contribute to your 401/403b retirement plan from the very beginning. You will thank yourself in 20 years. Reasoning: The post-school debt monster is a tough beast to beat, and with monthly bills piling up, it's tough to make ends meet, let alone think about retirement. But don't lose hope! As your career takes off, things will get better, and starting your retirement plan early will be a genius move! Trust us, catching up later in life is like trying to chase a cheetah with a broken leg.
1. During your first year, take on any recess or car duties that a senior teacher asks you to cover for them. Reasoning: You need to build relationships with the teachers as you will probably need their assistance at some point during the year whether for concerts, shows, etc. Moreover, teachers possess a wealth of knowledge about the school and the parent/family body, making their information valuable.
4. Find any and every way to connect with your students even if it means you are showcasing or sprinkling in music that you do not always appreciate or trying new things that ultimately fail. Reasoning: Relationships. As we need to build relationships with our colleagues, it is also important to build relationships with your students. When they feel like they can count on you and catch your contagious enthusiasm, your classes will be the hot spot everyone's talking about.
2. Learn the names of all administrative assistants, facilities crew, cleanup crew, and kitchen crew, and give them appreciation gifts or notes every few months as they run the school.
TEMPO
5. Discover various methodologies and approaches and identify the one (or ones) that suits you best. Reasoning: In my experience, sticking with a single methodology or approach often proves insufficient for me and my students. Instead, I find that researching and implementing various techniques – a combination of them, even – yields better results in the classroom. That being said, I've encountered several exceptional music teachers who successfully employ a single approach for their elementary students. Ultimately, it's essential to determine what works best for you and your learners and to pursue that path wholeheartedly. 20
MARCH 2024