February, the Month of Love!
Happy February! It’s almost the end of the Month of Love!
No, I’m not talking about romance in this blog. I am talking about the feelings we may FINALLY start to have at this time of the year.
You most likely have reached the “Rejuvenation” stage in your school-year rollercoaster. After some winter blues and disillusionment, you may be seeing some great things. The days are getting longer and generally warmer. Valentine’s Day craziness has passed, and many have had three-day weekends, or even a week-long break around Presidents’ Day. No matter how long, that well-deserved break feels so good, doesn’t it?
In our music classrooms, many ensembles have had big and important performances by this time of year. Students have almost always risen to the occasion and performed even better than expected. Your classroom routines and expectations probably have really have started running more smoothly, taking less effort and time. You are seeing real progress in your students’ music technique and musicality! Planning and rehearsal techniques have started humming like a luxury vehicle (most of the time).
Take some time and reflect/journal so you can lean into the love of the rejuvenation stage! (Go ahead, get out a journal or piece of paper, and let your mind dump and process.)
What are you loving in the way your are doing your planning right now?
What are you loving with class climate right now?
What do you think is going particularly well in your teaching?
What class routine is working smoothly and saving time right now? (And how could you recognize students for that?)
What other staff member has given you encouragement recently?
What is something funny that happened in class recently? (A few years ago I had a 2nd year student sneeze into his saxophone in the middle of a song. We all had a great laugh about that!)
What do you want to implement or try between now and the end of the year, that you feel the students can now handle?
Who do you look up to that you could schedule a coffee or drink with in the next few weeks? (Make that connection, ask questions, talk about what’s working well and what’s on tap for the rest of the year. However you want to connect with them.)
Is there an opportunity for you to go observe some great teacher/s in your area?
If you’re still feeling like you’re struggling, who can you talk to for help? (Remember that I’m available for a free first session to problem-solve if needed. Just message Amy from this site.)
Lastly, remember that what you do, teaching our young musicians, is not easy! However, it is SO IMPORTANT! You matter in their lives and in the music teaching world.
“Music acts like a magic key, to which the most tightly closed heart opens.” - Maria von Trapp
You teach students to open their hearts, perfect for February, the Month of Love!
Feel free to share this blog with whoever might need it! My collegial love to you, Amy