2. How and when did you decide to enter teaching? Well I always played music as a kids, as you know, to help me cope in my everyday life. It was always such a huge part of who I was so it just seemed natural to want to share that. It was in high school that I really decided I wanted to teach. My band director was the one who really made me want to be a teacher. He had such a passion and intensity for music education; it was really inspirational.
3. Who or what helped you choose to remain a teacher? My students help me stay motivated and help me get out of bed every morning. The little ones because I love seeing the spark in their eyes when they learn a new piece or finally master a good tone on a new note they couldn’t reach before, and the older high schoolers because out of every few kids, there’s one who really needs music to
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What is the average number of hours per week you estimate you spend on teaching responsibilities? Outside of the school day, I probably spend three hours after school on regular days. On game days and concerts I go from the last bell of the school day to about midnight.
11. How do you know you are successful with student learning? I know I’ve done my job when I pass around the sheet for solos and ensembles and everyone writes their names down and are in multiple groups trying to show off what they’ve learned and spent so much time practicing. That feels good.
12. What is the importance of collaboration in your professional learning community? All of the band directors in the surrounding schools are good friends so we share show ideas and music and we all support each other because the job can be really challenging.
13. What advice would you give to someone like me who is in an early stage of the teacher education process? Get into the field as soon as possible. Make sure you really want to do this. This job takes a toll on you but if it’s what you’re meant to do then it’s the most rewarding thing in the world and it’s worth it every