Catching up

I'll admit it.  I started this blog a couple weeks ago, but today I decided I didn't like the title and made a new one.  So this first post is just a copy and paste of the other blog.


Jan. 30, 2011
I'm going back to school, but this time I'm on the other side of the desk. After subbing for a few months, I landed a long term sub position (16 weeks!) in a middle school band room.  This week I'll be visiting the school to meet the principal, band director, and some of the students, and next week I start teaching.  While I'm extremely excited about this job, I will admit I have some nerves.  So to prepare, I will be reviewing my substitute teaching experience to remind myself of what I have already learned, experienced, and not died from.

1. Teachers and other adults always think I'm a student, so I guess if I get really nervous, I can just follow some kids and hide in an Algebra class.

2. Past students have blamed their poor behavior on "we had a sub today and she didn't know we aren't allowed to go outside of the school whenever we wanted." Did they think I had never been in a school before? Pretty sure they all have similar rules.  Anyway, that shouldn't happen much longer.

3. I had an elementary student ask if I'm pregnant.  Result: I have started running.

Don't worry.  I'll be back with more soon.

Feb. 7, 2011

I started my new job today!  I'll be honest...I may have freaked out a little last night...but I have a wonderful boyfriend who let me freak out and then tell me what's what.  He's kind of great.

So since I never explained it, here's the scenario: the band director at this school left in the middle of last semester.  Since then, they have had a sub that doesn't have any experience in music, so a couple weeks ago they started looking for a sub with music experience.  Through a chain of phone calls, I got in touch with the principal of this school and got the job.  I'm pretty excited about the job, but it could be a little rough at first.  Essentially, for the last few months there has been 1 band director doing the job of 2.  Therefore, the beginner classes have been combined even though they were at different skill levels and sectionals for the performing group haven't been much of a reality during school hours.  Tomorrow I get to really start taking groups out to work on solo and ensemble and UIL music, and probably start splitting the beginner classes again.  Maybe I'll start to feel a little more like a real teacher then.

Highlights of day 1:

1. Didn't get lost driving to school, or inside the school.

2. Got to walk 2 students to the assistant principal's office for fighting in class.

3. Only got called a student once.

Feb. 11, 2011

Greg and I are away at TMEA (Texas Music Educator's Association) this weekend, which is hands down the happiest place on earth.  The Swingle Singers performed Wednesday night and I think I could have just left satisfied after that, but figured I should probably stay and learn some stuff at the clinics.

Yesterday, we went to the University of Houston Wind Ensemble concert, walked through what seemed like billions of booths in the exhibit hall, watched some of the All-State Band rehearsal, went to a clinic about trombone playing, and watched the Texas A&M Wind Symphony concert.  Everything has been really great so far.  Off to another day of clinics and concerts!

Feb. 13, 2011

I just returned from my first TMEA where I didn't have a curfew.  During the last 2 days I attended the 5A Honor Band, All State Jazz Ensemble, Concert Band, Symphonic Band, and Symphony Orchestra concerts, visited some more clinics, and ate lots of delicious food on the San Antonio River Walk.  Pretty good week if I say so myself.  I did, however, have a parent of an All-Stater tell me "That could be me next year."

So we all know that our state is not exempt from the recession, but it is starting to catch up with us finally.  Current decisions being made are easily causing teachers to lose sleep.  In one of the sessions at TMEA, the distinguished service award was given to the Texas Commissioner of Education who urged us to contact our legislature and school board about our thoughts about this decision and also reminded us that March is Music in Our Schools month.  I would really like to do something drastic at my school to create awareness and involve students in fighting for their programs.  Now just to figure out what exactly I'm going to do...