Starting Tomorrow

Well: tomorrow I start teaching. I have two high school choir classes and four 6th grade general music classes. I'm excited, nervous, apprehensive, stoked, etc. It's all a mixture of emotions really. Do I feel fully prepared to do the job I'm going to do? Honestly, it's a toss-up. I still have alot of learning to do with regards to teaching and my subject matter. But when it comes down to it I know things are going to work out well. I'm going to have a smile on my face, and I'm going to work my hardest to get these kids to love music and to learn music. I'll be learning along right with them (I've already got the love part down ;-).

The past week has been spent in professional development at the Middle School (I'm technicially an employee there, but I also teach at the high school at the beginning of the day). Most of this was review stuff from before. The district I'm teaching at is currently in its 3rd year of School improvement (though it might be the 2nd year due to another school being annexed to it. Eudora school district closed down and we're getting most of their students). What this means is that the test scores from our school have not been fabulous and as a result the state puts the school on a probationary period until the scores are met. Part of our federal money is used to pay for an independent educational organization to come and monitor our teaching and administrative practices. They also give tips and seminars. So far my theory is that both ETS (the maker of most standardized tests including the teacher certification tests) and independent ed. firms are rolling in the dough thanks to No Child Left Behind. I had a pretty negative view of the NCLB earlier, and I still do but I'm admiring the fact that action is being taken to adress school equality. Whether the goals are too lofty or not is irrelevant, the facts are we're setting the bar high and our kids will do well as a result. The exception to the school improvement is our Middle School, which made AYP the last two years and stands to do so again this year, which will take us off of school improvement. I'm going to work as hard as I can to help with this.

My room is a smallish portable classroom, and inside I have my rules and consequences posters put up. I have two blackboards and a small white-board, and an electronic keyboard. As far as music selection is concerned, we're in great shape with lots of quality and fun music. I can't wait to dig in and get the kids into it. I'll get some pictures of my room up pretty quick-like.

We'll see how week one turns out. Until then...

Cheers,

-Nate

"All work and no play, that's the way it is ain't it. There's a rhythm deep inside of you, and you must get re-aquainted." -Gnarls Barkley