Things They Never Told Us... In Music School
by Loretta JR McNulty
So here we are, out in the field, with music degree in hand - the first flush of excitement at being able to pay off our college loans has given way to a serious onset of REALITY. We find ourselves wondering why they didn't tell us about this part in music school! If we were lucky our student teaching experience may have bridged some of the terrain, but the daily routine presents many unforeseen challenges. (Maybe they did tell us but we weren't ready to comprehend. Perhaps the scheduling constraints of the teacher preparation curriculum forced other priorities.) In any case, having spent time developing our basic musicianship and teaching skills, we must now begin to polish those interpersonal skills which are essential in creating a healthy work environment.
Professional Courtesy
Bottom-line ... we should be supportive of our colleagues. Being supportive is easy when colleagues are supportive in return.
On the other hand, colleagues who walk through classes/rehearsals and undermine the established discipline can be a bit frustrating. It takes courage to keep our egos in check and our priorities clearly focused.
Other important colleagues include the classroom teachers we see every day. If we don't see them, we should! Scheduling can be the most outrageous aspect of our jobs, and sometimes it does seem almost impossible to find time for our building buddies. A quick chat over coffee, conversation over lunch, or at least a friendly hello at the copy machine can go a long way in establishing good rapport. We are sometimes viewed as the teachers who take half the class out on Tuesday afternoons. Often classroom teachers can validate our observations and concerns about individual students. Working together for the good of students makes us allies instead of competitors for time.
Appearance
Now that we're all operating courteously, we should also take a look in the mirror. Schools today rarely have dress codes for teachers. While appropriate attire may differ from building to building, a well-groomed appearance is essential.
Our "uniform" projects a strong message about how we view ourselves, our students, and our profession. But appearance is only the beginning. Every day presents us with numerous opportunities to be advocates for children. From the casual conversation with a parent to the dentist's chair (ouch), we can spread the word about the vital importance of a musical education.
Staying Informed
When we stay informed we are able to speak the language of decision-makers, voters, and taxpayers. Too often, the bottom line is the bottom tine, and we need to be aware that our classroom is not bounded by four walls. The more we can educate our public, the more our students benefit.
Communication Skills
When communicating with colleagues. parents, or the general public, we need to be aware of the impression we create. Attention to our spelling and grammar present us in a more professional light. Parents and/or administrators are also more likely to remember the phone call that was not returned in a timely fashion. Schedules sometimes make this very difficult but the extra effort is always appreciated
Always give as much lead time as possible with concert dates. A good approach is to schedule all performances during the preceding spring and make this information available to parents at the beginning of the school year. Parents who are active in seasonal sports will appreciate the opportunity to coordinate their family calendars before problems arise.
Even though we, as string teachers, have been careful to provide detailed communication, we must not take it for granted that others have done the same. A regular check of the master calendar in our school(s) can minimize the frustration of racing to set up the classroom at the next school only to discover that the entire fifth grade is on a field-trip. Our students will often be responsible enough to tip us off, but it is our job to know. Read those faculty bulletins! Evening rehearsals and concerts can be particularly treacherous. Community groups will occasionally rent the auditorium and can actually trump (and bump) curricular functions. Be ahead of the game all of the time. Also, don't forget that secretaries/office managers and custodians are a valuable part of our support system. If our jobs involve multiple sites, these people can make life considerably easier. One way to show our appreciation is to keep building personnel informed about our program. Never send anything home without FYI copies to staff, classroom teachers, and building administrators. The least we can do is give them half a chance to supply intelligent, accurate answers to parental questions when we are not on site. Today's schools have so many specialists: reading, resource, ESL. These colleagues can supply a wealth of information and insight about students we have in common. Take the time to compare class lists and notes. And remember to include these people in your FYI handout sweeps.
Pull-out programs have terrific potential for classroom disruption. Everything we can do to minimize conflict is a plus. Supply classroom teachers with accurate rosters, highlight names of their students. Include schedules of lessons/rehearsals and let attendance responsibility be on your students. The job of sending students to us should not rest on another teacher's shoulders - they're overloaded, too!
And Finally - Keep Smiling
In spite of the many surprises that come our way, there is so much we have to offer to the lives of our students. With a positive outlook we can surmount difficult personalities and short-sighted budgets. Remember that sometimes the orchestra needs the student, but more often than not, the student needs the orchestra; and while we teach, we can help our students grow up through music.
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