Re: Resigning then getting out...?

More | Report Post

On 9/20/08, been there... wrote:
> You know, you just described the school I work at and the
> band problems I imagine our new director has to face with
> them.
>
> I love my school, but you mentioned several things that make
> your position unique (even if you aren't our band director,
> the positions seem so similar). It's a very small school,
> so a very small program. They have had very little
> stability with band directors, so like you said--it's not
> been consistent and they aren't learning what they should.
> It's viewed as an elective, so they are more likely to cut
> up. And yes, high numbers of students want to play only the
> drums.
>
> Our band director also has to split himself between our
> middle and high school, which I can only imagine would make
> the job even tougher. It's a low income population being
> served and many of them don't know how to feel about band.
>
> When I said I've "been there"...I had a very difficult first
> year assignment. I worked in a district at a school where I
> was teaching a grade I was uncomfortable with (kindergarten)
> and working with staff that was the opposite of supportive.
> I felt very much like things were out of control and
> overwhelming in the classroom and like you, I thought about
> ending my misery.
>
> PLEASE know that this is ONE year in your life (or less if
> you can get out) and--this is the key--try not to take it
> personally. Try to remember that they probably haven't had
> a decent band director ever and that means they don't know
> what expectations you need from them.
>
> In the time that you are making your decision, can you find
> anyone who is supportive at the schools? Just someone to
> vent to or talk to? Maybe bounce some ideas off of?
>
> At my school, I know the kids pretty well. I've been
> teaching in that area for 5 years now and I've learned--
> quickly--that even the ones who cut up...they aren't bad
> kids, they just don't know how else to act sometimes. Maybe
> by having another teacher to brainstorm with or just vent to
> would help?
>
> If there's not anyone you feel comfortable with at your
> school, maybe online? I would be glad to be a sounding
> board for you, since I know exactly the kind of situation
> you are talking about.
>
> Until you reach some kind of decision about leaving or not,
> you need to a) see a doctor and b) find someone to vent to
> and plan survival strategies with. You need an outlet! I
> was blessed to have my family as my outlet at home and I was
> never exactly happy where I was, but I was able to release
> some of my stress and make it through the year.
>
> Five years later at a different school and a different grade
> level, I love my job and I can't wait to go to work every
> day. That's where you need to get.
>
> Sending you prayers,
>
> Victoria
>
> magoosmom@bellsouth.net (please feel free to email me)

Dear Makeitstop,

Do you have a band booster group? If not, you need to get your
most supportive parents to form one. I am a teacher, but I am
also a band parent. My daughter is now 22 years old, but she
joined the band when she was in 6th grade. That same year, I
joined the band boosters. She earned enough scholarship money
by winning top awards at Lions Band and Northeast Ms. Honors
Band to pay for the first 3 years of college. I did not have
to put in a cent. The band boosters that I was part of did a
lot of work - we ran the concession stand at the football
games; we arranged the buses and found the drivers to drive
them to off games and the band competitions; we made sure the
kids had their uniforms on correctly (black socks, cords on the
correct shoulder, etc.). Probably our most important job was
making sure that our band director knew that we appreciate his
w ork with our kids. True, there were students in the band who
had no disciple, who didn't practice their instruments, and who
caused all sorts of problems. But, there were the good ones,
too. Do you have any of these? Every year in my class I have
students who are hoodlums, won't do work, don't want to learn,
but I also always have a small group who are in school because
they want to learn, they want to get ahead. They are the reason
I return to my classroom each year - this year is my 31st year.
Look for the good in your band. Find youself some supportive
parents - even if it is just 2 or 3. It can help you make it
thru this year.
Oh, the school I teach in is a small rural school. The school
that my daughter attended is not this school, but a school in a
small town. Here we differentiate between the two - one is
the "city school" and the other is the "county school".
Good luck. Band is one of the best things that can happen in a
school.

RESPOND TO THIS POST START A NEW THREAD RETURN TO CHATBOARD

Posts on this thread, including this one