(Also posted on the band director page- but i am trying to cast a wide net) Hi everyone! I am not a band director, but the person I love is one. She is a new teacher (just hit her third year) and she is struggling. She is seriously overworked and the students are a lot to manage (multiple behavioral problems, difficulty getting them to care, etc). She shares the position with another new teacher, who has just started her second year of teaching. They share the responsibility of a very robust music program.

This marching season has been really tough. They had a large senior class, so this new band is very young and has a lot of maturing and growing to do. They have a band of about 140 students. Last year, her school was #3 in the state, which is the highest in history. Tomorrow is the state finals and she thinks it's going to be the worst it has been in 10 years. I even heard her crying about it. She thinks that she will be forced to resign or at least not welcomed back next year. To me (an outsider) the band sounds great and has an interesting show! I dont know how tomorrow will shake out, but I know she and her co-teacher have worked incredibly hard this season. Does anyone have any tips on how to encourage her? Or is there anything you wish you heard as a junior teacher? Also, is it really likely that she would have to resign??? I mean, they did so well last year and had an uphill battle this year- so last year has to count, right? Plus all the other musical programs they run are doing well, so she can still keep her job, right? I bet it's different for each school, but she seems so sure that the results of tomorrow will determine if she keeps her job, even though she does so much more than marching band (the whole instrumental music program).

I would really appreciate any insights any seasoned directors (or music educators in general) might have! TIA!

#$"x@#$$&-++

Screaming over here!

Student: "I won't be at the concert next Wednesday. I never took the night off from Starbucks"

WWYD?

I am featuring a high level player as a soloist in December, set them up with an acclaimed teacher in the area and have mentored their youth orchestra trajectory for the past 6 years. I took major heat for allowing them the "play UP" when they were in the 8th grade ensemble since I teach middle school and highschool. Next week is a big Mini Festival 🎃

With and ALL HANDs on DECK initiative.

I've posted here before. Alternative track, laid off, couldn't find a job in 2 school years, no jobs open within 100 miles of my apartment.

I have a job in a different career now and I'm also going to school for it as well, but I just miss teaching so much. Especially private teaching. The hourly rate in my area is really good, I would love to just be a full time private teacher. But there just aren't enough kids taking music lessons.

Some of my favorite memories are in that tiny little lesson room. Even more of my favorite memories are from my preK-12 career. My favorite thing was seeing how much my orchestra class that I piloted for the first time at this small title 1 school progressed in the only semester I had with them.

Unfortunately I will likely never teach again. I can't just quit unless I magically find a shop that is trying to replace someone with a completely booked schedule, or a k-12 position magically opens up, and my new field requires a rotating schedule no matter what you do in this field, so I can't even take a day to go teach after work to larp as being involved in music.

Just seeking comfort I guess.