Music educators have so many responsibilities to keep their program moving in a positive direction every day. Often, we struggle to gather and embrace the many levels of administrative business necessary to provide amazing learning experiences for our students and our music education community. The items that follow may help you organize your thoughts and make a positive difference both in and out of the classroom for you and your students
Taking Care of Business…On the Outside
- It is important to be aware of your responsibilities outside of the classroom. Often, we focus so much on the goals of our program, the teaching and learning in our own classroom that we forget or procrastinate on those obligations we have as educators as a member of our school building faculty.
- Make sure everything is in order with your job outside of the classroom.
- Take care of your professional obligations where the students are not concerned.
- When the paperwork comes across your desk (or your computer), take care of it that day. Paperwork and email procrastination will give you and your program a poor reputation with the people that get things done for you (Secretary, Administrator, Transportation, and Parents). Make sure you take care of those who at some point in time you will need to take care of you.
- Know these things
o Policies and Procedures
o Grades and Paperwork
o Administrative Procedures and Deadlines
- Committee Work and Assignments
Taking Care of Business…On the Inside
Are you ready to teach? So often, and unfortunately, this may be the last order of business before our students arrive.
Is Your Room Ready?
- Chairs and stands in good working order
- Orderly and neat room set-up
- A lack of clutter
- Percussion area (if necessary) neat and clean
- Bulletin boards and wall decorations/information
- Marker board or chalk board neat and orderly
Is your Lesson Ready?
- Know what you are going to do every minute of the rehearsal or class
o The Opener: warm up process and announcements
o The Main Event: the rehearsal plan for performance preparation
o The Closer: rehearsal wrap-up and review of concepts
o Don’t forget the Fundamentals of ensemble excellence
- Develop Tone
- Develop Tuning and Intonation
- Develop Style Concepts
- Develop Timing and Pulse
- Use a lesson planning form or lesson outline. Don’t just “wing it”.
- Have a “hip pocket” lesson plan just in case your initial ideas don’t work
- Plan in advance:
o Daily
o Weekly
o Monthly
o Semester
Working to provide a meaningful implementation of your plan is essential. Are you communicating your intent and expectations in a way your students understand?
- Understand your plan and how you will get the ideas across to the students
- Remember that communication is not what you say, but what your students get. You may need to develop multiple strategies to teach the same topic or concept.
R-E-S-P-E-C-T…Find Out What It Means…and Give It
It is often said that to coordinate a successful music program it “takes a village.” There are so many layers of responsibilities and commitments that center on people…on other people. We need the entire “village” to understand their importance and feel accepted into the process of being a part of the ensemble.
- Students
o Acknowledge accomplishment…catch them doing it right
o Be firm and fair with your expectations for the program
o Avoid playing favorites
o Support them in their school activities that are not “music related”
- Colleagues
o They are facing the same challenges as you…work with your team and as a team
o Support and help if possible
o Stay in touch…don’t hibernate in your “music room cave” or office
- School Programs
o Support other programs and clubs in your school
o Participate with your program if possible
- Assemblies
- Campus Events
- Community Events
- Be Visible
- Community
o Participate in community programs if possible
- Parades, Community Festivals
o Seek opportunities to give back to the community that often gives to your program through financial or physical support.
Sell, Sell, Sell
As a music educator, it is our responsibility to sell our program. We need to let others know what is happening with our program, so when we need their assistance, or want them to take an interest in our program, it is not a surprise our program exists. Additionally, keeping others “in the know” about the success and growth of your program will pay dividends when tough decisions are being made about class schedules, budgeting, and curriculum changes in your school district. Areas of communication should not only be focused on students (current, former and future), but also on parents, administration at the school and district level, other faculty members, and community members. Let them know and celebrate with you all the amazing things happening in your classroom and with your students.
Communication is the key to a less turbulent journey through your school year. Make it a priority to keep others informed. There should be no surprises. You need to stay informed…There should be no surprises to YOU.
Students, Parents, School Community, and School Administration should also be prioritized in your communication model. And don’t forget your feeder programs. The teachers, parents and students of your feeder schools should also know what is happening so they can develop a sense of understanding and excitement for the entire music program.
Enjoy the Ride.
BillHumbertLeadership.com
