If Only I Had….

Rob Nichols
President-Elect

Wow, can the summer go any faster? I write this article as much for myself (practice what you preach) as to offer thoughts that may help to keep things “in perspective” as you begin your first year of teaching, your last year of teaching, or anywhere in-between.

When I began my first year of teaching, I remember saying to myself:
If I can make a significant difference in just one student’s life…a difference that will help them be successful as they move beyond high school and into their college life, career, family, etc….if I can just be “that ONE teacher that made the difference”, my year will be a success.

I strive to begin each year with this goal in mind. Although it is sometimes easy to forget how much influence we do have on our students, it is a responsibility that we shouldn’t take lightly. In an ongoing effort to grow as an educator, I am constantly seeking ways to improve. Below are a few ideas that I consider each year when making goals, I hope you will consider them as well.

PLAN! Obviously, we spend endless hours planning for the thousands of details that are inherent with the administration of our programs. That’s the easy part! However, if you are like me, the most difficult element of planning for the year is forcing yourself to create a balance between your program, your personal life, and your professional growth. Plan ahead. As you finalize your calendar for the year, be sure to include personal/family events as well as professional growth opportunities, such as the annual MMEA In-Service/Clinic in January and the affiliate conventions next summer. I also encourage you to consider making time to get involved, advocate, and share your expertise. It’s never too early to plan.

GET INVOLVED! Take advantage of the many opportunities to become actively involved in the profession. With the enormity of time and energy it takes to administer our own programs, it is often difficult to allot time for outside endeavors. However, networking and developing contacts and friendships can be a new source of energy and a welcome relief to the isolation of our own building and our own programs. Whether it be through your district events, MMEA, Missouri affiliate organizations, or other professional organizations, the opportunity for camaraderie and professional growth is abundant.

ADVOCATE! With many potential obstacles facing our school districts and our programs, such as budget restrictions, scheduling conflicts and increased graduation requirements, just to name a few, it is now more important than ever to advocate. We must all assume the responsibility of keeping music education alive in our schools. On a local level, I encourage you to make an effort to advocate on a daily basis. This can be as easy as building and strengthening relationships with your students, your parents, your administration, your school board members and your community. In a broader perspective, this is a need that goes beyond our individual programs. As true music educators, we must support and advocate for music education from the smallest of programs in the most rural of communities, to the largest programs in the most urban of communities.

We are fortunate that we have a strong basis of support in regard to advocacy. MMEA provides many resources on a state-wide level, as does MENC on a national level. As we all use the vast availability of resources and statistics that support the fact that music education has a positive effect on academic performance, test scores and future career success, please don’t forget to advocate for MUSIC and the importance of MUSIC within our daily lives and within our society.

SHARE YOUR EXPERTISE! An ongoing initiative of MMEA, as well as most of your local school districts, is the implementation of an effective mentoring program. We need your help in recruiting and retaining quality music teachers. Share your expertise! Whether it be in a formal setting, or an informal setting, reach out to a young teacher and offer your help. As you know, many times young teachers just need a sounding-board in which to share what they are experiencing in their new career. Your willingness to listen and offer advice, insight and encouragement will be an invaluable asset in securing the future of music education in Missouri.

Finally, how many times have these thoughts crossed our minds? If only I had…one more rehearsal, more budget, more staff, better facilities, more trombone players…the list goes on and on. One of the most difficult aspects of our “job” is maintaining a positive outlook when faced with the daily reminders of what we don’t have. As you begin this school year, do your best to keep the stresses of “the job” separate from the reality of why we are really here…to educate our students with the passion of music.

While most of us live under the pressure of producing quality performances, we must not forget the value of the process. Yes, the concerts for the PTA, performances at marching and jazz festivals, musicals, a successful performance at MMEA, a superior (1) rating at state festival, etc. are all indicators of our successes; however remain grounded in the fact that even if an isolated performance doesn’t go quite as well as planned, our students are still receiving a quality music education through the process.

I close by extending best wishes for a successful year. I will do my best to remind myself, and I encourage you to remind yourself that each day what we do have is the opportunity to be that ONE teacher that makes a difference; not in just one student’s life, but in many students’ lives.

Have a great year!