tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91855665646410735962012-01-29T17:31:42.885-08:00Unknownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11131063475901655787noreply@blogger.comBlogger21100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9185566564641073596.post-32595611624083505252012-01-24T20:00:00.000-08:002012-01-24T20:00:17.002-08:00Hello again Future Me,<br /><br />I am sure you still hold strong to your beliefs and your core values.&nbsp; It is important to be very clear about what your core values are and why.&nbsp; While you are teaching, there are several times when your core values will need to be clearly defined.&nbsp; You will need to decide what kind of a classroom you will have.&nbsp; There are many ways to run a classroom, and your core values will help guide you towards which way best suits you.&nbsp; Core values are also very important for disciplinary issues.&nbsp; You will need to know which things you will stand firm on, and in which areas you have more flexibility.&nbsp; Core values wills also help you with your teaching style.&nbsp; The way you teach and what you teach can depend a lot about what is important to you.&nbsp; If you don't have a connection to the material you are teaching, how can you expect your students to have a connection?&nbsp; Here are my current core values in order of importance, from one to six.&nbsp; I know these have been important to me for a while, so I am sure they will still ring true for you.<br /><br />1.&nbsp; The classroom is a place of caring and respect.<br />2.&nbsp; The classroom is a community.<br />3.&nbsp; Music is a curricular subject in its own right.<br />4.&nbsp; Music is the greatest accomplishment of the human spirit, and without it, we deprive our students of a complete education.<br />5. Integrity- do the right thing, whether someone is watching or not.<br />6.&nbsp; Be proud and celebrate your accomplishments as both a teacher and an ensemble.<br /> <br /> <br />Ranking these core values was difficult, because all are VERY important.&nbsp; Don't forget about any of them.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9185566564641073596-3259561162408350525?l=instrumentalmethods.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Unknownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11131063475901655787noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9185566564641073596.post-15063353353536875822012-01-18T20:22:00.000-08:002012-01-18T20:33:46.037-08:00Hello Future Me!<br /><br />&nbsp;Congratulations! You have secured your first teaching position as a music educator.&nbsp; Don't forget how much you loved going to music class in elementary school.&nbsp; You looked forward to it all week; it was the highlight!&nbsp; Taking private lessons was rewarding and at times really frustrating.&nbsp; I know you are still glad that your parents and teachers encouraged you to keep going and didn't take no for an answer.&nbsp; Think about how much those 14 years of piano lessons have helped you in college.&nbsp; I'm sure you still love kids.&nbsp; Watching children discover and create is one of the HUGE privileges of being a teacher.&nbsp; Remember, even when things might not be going so well, that this is the reason you wanted to be a teacher in the first place; you want to inspire and be inspired!<br />&nbsp; While teaching, remember the Golden Rule: treat others how you want to be treated.&nbsp; This has always been a very important core value.&nbsp; Teach your students respect, not only for each other, but also themselves.&nbsp; I am sure you are still very close with Mom, Dad, and Bub.&nbsp; Family is incredibly important, and it is not just blood that makes a family.&nbsp; Friends and a sense of community are very important things that students find at school.&nbsp; Don't be afraid to go out of your way to make this happen.<br />&nbsp;I am praying that whenever you read this, all music programs have unlimited funding and you never have to fight to keep your music program alive.&nbsp; Since this is a tad unrealistic, I will include some reasons why instrumental music belongs in schools.&nbsp; I know a lot of teachers will use the reason "it helps with other subjects." Yes, music does help enrich learning in ALL subjects.&nbsp; But instrumental music is not just a tool for other subjects to use.&nbsp; It is a CORE subject.&nbsp; Appreciation of the fine arts is something that heightens our awareness of the world around us and elevates our higher level thinking processes.&nbsp; Playing in a band or orchestra gives students a sense of community, which is a big part of your core values! It teaches students discipline, respect, and teamwork.&nbsp; Music is a huge part of history and culture, and not learning about it within these contexts would rob your students of a complete education.<br />&nbsp;You may be teaching in a few months, or even tomorrow.&nbsp; The most important thing to remember is that you ARE prepared and you WILL do well.&nbsp; Things might not go perfectly the first time, but don't worry! You won't break your students.&nbsp; You have the knowledge and the skills to have a great classroom.&nbsp; Excite your students about learning and all will fall into place.&nbsp; Take a deep breath, or maybe even two.&nbsp; You can do this.<br />Good luck!<br />Sallie<br />January 18, 2012 <br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9185566564641073596-1506335335353687582?l=instrumentalmethods.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Unknownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11131063475901655787noreply@blogger.com1