This week was a tough week so I have to give it a 2. This week I taught my first mini lesson to my 2nd period class, which is the freshmen band. I felt like some of them responded well to me and others didn't even blink an eye. After teaching this lesson, (I still need to finish watching the video for this lesson) but I am getting a better feel for this class and I know some things that I want to focus on for the next time I am in front of them. This week has been hard on really everyone in the band, and my CT. It seems like nothing is going right. We have had 3 band members get suspensions with school and my CT's car got broken into and his laptop was stolen. All of this has really taken a tole on everyone and you can see that in class and rehearsals. So I am hoping going into next week we can get back on track because our first competition of the season is next Saturday for the Enka Marching competition. So to be completely honest I feel like most of my time this week was spent going to meetings. I had a full day Monday,Tuesday, and Wednesday it went: School, Practice, and then a meeting/sports duty. I get why we need to go to these things because we need to see what it is like being a band director, however; one added element we have that our CT's don't is our portfolio and class assignments. Maybe I am complaining right now, but I feel like I haven't had time to work on any assignments this week because I have been doing ll this extra stuff. Something has got to give with this? Do we have to go to EVERYTHING? This has just made my week frustrating for me. This weeks apprehension has definitely been in making comments on the music. Early in the week I was helping and trying t make comments and suggestions but none of the students listened to me, so I had a moment of "why am I even here then???" So because of these actions from the students I just stopped giving comments and just sat on the side. I later talked to my CT about my frustrations and he basically told me if no one listened to me again we all would just have a pow-wow with the particular students. Next week I definitely want to go into it without all the baggage of this tough week. Some data I looked at from the freshmen band is going to help me with their future lessons. Small things such as, one clarinet player is extremely shy, so discussion based is hard for her. I need to make sure I incorporate a chance for her to write down rather than speak our to the class. Fellow student teachers, I want you you all to know that you know a lot more than you think. You will surprise yourself with what you do know. We have been trained well at GWU.
NCTS
1e) I had the misfortune to be in the "teachers lounge" when I overheard a group of teachers complaining about the administration. I was shocked to hear them talking about this at school. I didn't want to be a part of this, so I went to a different place to eat my lunch. I feel like me making the decision to leave was demonstrating high ethical standards.
2) I still have not gotten 504/IEP information; however my CT and I have discussed a student in our class who was adopted from the Ukraine. He said she was extremely shy and had a hard time talking to others and making friends. Having this information I am going to make every effort going forward to treat her as an individual and make her feel welcome.
3d) I had a student ask me why we stand at attention for the national anthem, and that was one thing that helped spark me to do the lesson on the Star Spangled Banner that I did this week. So I felt like I was really making this relevant to the students.
4d) I had a lot of fun this week researching technology tools to implement in the classroom. I finished up the technology evidences part of my portfolio.
5b) Not sure if this counts, but us student teachers started a group chat and I am loving it.
This week has been tough so I haven't gotten much done. My CT and I are doing pretty well right now just trying to move forward from this past week. It was good seeing you this past week Dr. Soja at Stuart Cramer, I hoped you liked the school!
Katie,
ReplyDeleteWhat are some of the things you want to focus on with the freshman band after that mini lesson? You have me curious.
Balancing your work and your life is literally one of the very hardest parts of doing this job. Some other professors and I were talking at a conference this March about the workload we all take on as music educators. Between meetings, rehearsals, grading, planning, fundraising, going to competitions, etc. most of us spend 80+ hours a week at work. I said, "When did this become acceptable to all of us? As in, at what point did we just accept that this was how it was, and we were fine with the amount of work we were doing without feeling totally and completely overwhelmed." No one really had an answer. It sort of just happens. I don't know when, and it's definitely not like a switch flips, and all the sudden, we're just never overwhelmed ever again, but the job becomes easier after we're in the swing. Don't forget, some of the things that you're working on or struggling with now will not be issues for you a year down the road. But, don't assume that the portfolio you're doing won't be replaced by something else when you teach. I made that mistake myself when I got my job at GWU. I finished my dissertation and assumed I'd just feel like I had SO MUCH TIME. Yeah, that has not happened. I have never been busier in my entire life. LOL! There's always something new to take place of the old work!
Try not to give too much weight to a few students not taking your comments seriously. You haven't been there long yet, and they're still getting used to you. It may still be that kids are testing you, or don't have a lot of buy in into what oyu say. The best way around/through this is to focus on those students in a positive way outside of music. What can you learn about them personally, and how can you connect with them outside of their playing?
I know that the "small thing" will make a big difference to the clarinet player who gets the chance to show what s/he knows through writing, in addition to discussion.
The teacher's lounge is, no doubt, one of the worst places in the school. It is WONDERFUL and important to have positive relationships with other staff and faculty. Cultivate those relationships. But, when you hear gossip, back-biting, and nastiness, excuse yourself and beat feet. You don't have to make a fuss over doing it. "Ooh, I just remembered I needed to ________" if you say anything at all. This will save your sanity. It is hard enough to leave work at work with this job. The more trashy gossip you hear at work, the less able you are to not let needless drama permeate your life.
I love that you all have your group chat. It makes me happy. I don't know what all is said (and I don't know that I want to. :), but I'm glad that you have it!)
Every day is a new one. That's JUST as important for the teachers as it is for the students. Another day to teach better. Another day to learn better. etc. etc.
Katie!
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry last week sucked for you, mind did too. Hopefully, this past week was better! I totally get how overwhelming all of the extra stuff we have to be at is, but its just making us better at time management. I try to always find myself working on SOMETHING. Some days are better than others, some days its just grading, etc. I feel when they get the wifi up at the school, it'll be a little better to have access to the things I need.
I never even go to the teachers lounge unless I HAVE to. I am probably the most clueless about people. I speak and I am cordial, etc but I know gossip about 1 person. One of the janitors who is an absolute jerk to everyone. Which I've also seen with my own eyes, so maybe its not gossip 🤔💁🏾. But yeah, keep your head up, keep the faith, and I hope you all did well today.
Heaven