S15: E268 What I Wish I’d Known my First Year of Teaching
If you are heading into your first year as a music teacher, welcome to an amazing community of educators who are passionate about giving students musical experiences and knowledge that not only helps them learn musical concepts, but brings joy and excitement to their lives! I started out my teaching career as an elementary music teacher before moving into the world of middle school general music. I’m still learning. That never ends and it’s a good thing! Your first few years, and especially your first few years, are like drinking from a fire hose. There’s a lot to take in and can be overwhelming much of the time. As we head into the school year, I thought I’d share some of the things I wish I’d known when I was starting my first year as a music teacher. These are ideas that many of us may need, even if it’s not our first year.
No one expected me to get it all right
It’s a lot of trial and error… and more error
The same lesson looks very different from class to class (and it doesn’t go the same way ever… always different!)
There were always things to work around (rehearsals during lunchtimes, fire drills, field trips, holidays, school holidays)
Even the veteran teachers who ‘have it all together’ are still learning and growing
You’ll connect with some students more than others… and some classes more than others, but you’ll work hard for all of them
Your work easily becomes your life… this is great and also draining.
My priorities in the classroom would evolve over time (strategies shift (titi to takadimi… choral focused to instrumental focused… musicals, technology, school-priorities… all of these can affect what you prioritize in the classroom
Finding your people can take time… you might feel lost or isolated at first…I wish I had attended chapter workshops earlier.
Being yourself is the easiest way to enjoy what you’re doing, build relationships with students, and embrace growth. Don’t be anyone else; just be you.
Here are some things that other music teachers shared as responses to a story I posted asking for what they wished they’d known their first year:
Keep students singing, doing, making. Don’t stop. Don’t give them time to get in trouble.
Good teaching takes lots of time and work - don’t get discouraged!
Communicate with administration about performances. What are their expectations? What are your hopes and vision for what you want students to do? Length of performance… audience members… time of day… how many performances expected throughout the year