Life-long Vocation - Growing through life

 I think many of us think that we are not the same as everyone else; while many of us do possess many similarities - we are different, also, in so many respects.

I remember attending Teachers’ College and hearing so many of the students, throughout the year, share their frustrations and opinions about the this program as being: “ a total waste of their time.”  It was the opposite for me.  I enjoyed the experience, immensely.  I often thought to myself:  “What’s wrong with me?”  It is strange to think that I may have been a part of a handful of people that valued the teaching program.  Indeed, it was shared that the 2-week practice-teaching block was the only part that they agreed, offered any real value to the year.  But everything-else, was not necessary.  

Today, I think the teachers’ college program has been increased to two years.  

Many friends, former colleagues and family members feel that since I left full time teaching, that I have entered the retirement part of my life-journey, and education for me and of me is done.  When I speak to friends, family members, and former colleagues, (many, who have retired from teaching), they too believe the same thing:  “you’re done with teaching; so, what are you doing?”

I continue to contribute to Music Education;  I continue to learn and share my ideas.  Yesterday evening, a teacher, who is a full time teacher in the profession, asked me to offer some tips to her as she prepares for an interview.  So, I prepared a document and emailed her my thoughts.  She responded:  “Wow, even in retirement, you continue to stay current, relevant and contribute so much”.  

I remember hearing many of my colleagues talk about retirement for many years.  Even the younger teachers were looking forward to retiring.  I simply could not believe it.  I thought to myself:  “am I strange; is there something wrong with me?”  You are missing-out on so much!  You are simply going through life instead of “growing-through-life”.  Enjoy, celebrate this opportunity and responsibility that has been gifted to you!

When I departed full time teaching, I didn’t think that education was done and that I could do other things in life.  Certainly, I am pleased that I shifted a bit in my artistic journey, and I do have more time to devote to that.  I do dedicate more time to my family, and really do enjoy that part of my life as well.  I think it’s great that many teachers do move on to do other things that they were hoping to do.  But, I also think it’s important to be dedicated to the teaching profession, and to continue to contribute to it.  So, I am different, and I am inspired to learn and stay current.  Obviously, this does take time to do; but, I enjoy it.  I can do my research at my own pace.  It’s a healthy activity for the mind; it’s worthy and challenging.  There is so much changing in education as in so many other areas of life.  To be a successful teacher, especially today with Covid, one must work even more so with the technology and added stress.

Some retired teachers stayed in the profession by exploring supply-teaching.  While others, just stopped.  I remember the government defining a teacher as someone who is on duty:  365 days a year.  I think that I have a lot to contribute, still; and, I intend to keep working in this rewarding field.

Music Alive has kept me connected to schools;  the virtual performing I complete for schools has also kept me connected to education.  This particular crisis is a terrible situation for all of us; but, it is also an opportunity to serve and contribute in different ways.

Reflection

     I experienced a dream the other night which caused me to awake in the middle-of-the-night.  It was a teaching situation where I was having trouble with a discipline matter, with a student who was choosing to disrespect the classroom teaching dynamics of the lesson.  The situation escalated to the point where the student gestured me with the middle finger and walked away, all the while looking at me, testing my next move, as if to say: ‘What are you going to do about it”?

     This dream reminds me about my 30 plus years teaching high school age students.  I did have some situations throughout my career, that tested me and challenged me.  But, as I think about it, I consider myself very fortunate to not really have very many discipline problems.  There were some tense moments, even with parent conversations, or parent meetings.  I suppose one should remember that over a number of years in dealing with so many people, you are bound to have some challenging moments - right?

     But, as I compare myself to witnessing and hearing my colleagues share descriptions of stories in dealing with a number of students and parents, and even colleagues, I consider myself very fortunate.  Perhaps, most of the students I worked with selected the music course; they were not expected to take music.  Most of the students wanted to be there. This eliminated many potential problems.

     Certainly, I have experienced a lot of change in education.  In the early years of my career, teachers had a bit more flexibility and support.  Now-a-days, one must be accountable for everything.  The climate is different, and full of anxiety, pressure, and stress.  We lack trust and we doubt so much.  In the latter years of my career, teachers had to be careful about arranging a field trip or excursion; about word selection in class; and be ready to modify and adjust your approach to accommodate the needs of every individual.  There was more pressure on the teacher in the latter years of my career when compared to my early years teaching.  When I think about the uncertainty that exists now because of Covid - wow, I really do not miss teaching.  So much of the magic took place in the classroom environment.  Remote teaching experience cannot replace the energy that is created in the classroom.  I admire teachers today who have so much to deal with, especially during these uncertain times.

Music Alive Update

     One year ago today was Friday, March 13th, and we officially canceled Music Alive 2020, due to the Pandemic.  I attended a meeting held at Edel’s residence.  Michelle J. was also present.  We were to prepare boxes and more for Music Alive to begin.  On the morning of this day one year ago, I traveled to a few schools to pickup check payments.  In fact, the whole week involved a few trips daily to various school locations to get payments for registrations.

     The whole year was very challenging.  In the fall of 2019, so much effort was given to convince the school boards that we could deliver a festival in 2020.  You see, there was much unrest in the school system, with disruptions and discussions about a new agreement for teachers.  Trying to keep Music Alive running was very difficult.  I remember the committee meeting at Cosmo Music, an emergency meeting to review strips that we would take to keep the festival “alive”.  Our planning helped to move forward.  But then, when Covid appeared, well, we had no choice but to follow in the example of so many other organizations which were canceling, postponing, and basically shutting-down. 

     Over the summer, I dedicated time to Music Alive to renew our website and email; to gather some ideas about a possible future for Music Alive in Pandemic time.  In the fall, proposals were drafted and we obtained some support.  So, now, we are in the middle of a virtually delivery of sessions.  It was challenging, but I am proud to say that we managed to keep Music Alive as a relevant resource.  This particular educational package of modules will end officially May 7th.  There is some discussion that another package will be offered in the fall of 2021.  We shall see.

     (April 19, 2021) Currently working on arranging the payment of guest artists:  gathering of information, submitting payment totals for each guest artist, even though we have some sessions scheduled for late in May, well after our final date of May 7th.  We may need to arrange a second payment mailing in early June.

Another opportunity to present to schools (virtually)

 This is a return client!  So, I have another two performances scheduled this week.  I have designed a new medley routine, rather than perform the same routine.  I continue to try and reach-out to other schools to get more clients.  It would be nice to have one performance a week, but highly unlikely.  Oh well, we keep trying.

Two school virtual performances this week & NAMM

I’m looking forward to presenting two school virtual performances this week, both on the same day!  I hope that they are successful.  I plan to continue to reach-out to potential clients.  It would be nice to have a presentation confirmed, once-a-week; this would be ideal.  I’m excited about attending the NAMM conference last week.  I gleaned some very interesting ideas and information from this event.  I am thinking about many ideas that I will explore and research.  For example:  TWITCH; OBS: podcasting; and more.  

Remembering some details experienced in my teaching career

 It was always challenging to keep my job.  I remember advertising constantly to keep music courses alive at school.  I realized that it was about keeping my job in music, and not have to accept courses in other areas in order to work.  Early in my career, I did not have a full time music teaching load.

     I remember preparing long computer printed banners for parents night.  I would mount these sheets of bounded paper along the walls for the gymnasium and cafeteria.  It was a way to invite parents to the Christmas Concert or Spring Concert.  I would hand these paper banners, I do not remember if I first seemed permission to do so.  I probably did because I did want to follow school policies.  In order to offer music all year, the music department worked with the religion department.  This relationship was beneficial to music, but I think it was also welcomed by the religion subject teachers because the music students tended to be good students, so discipline was a bit better in the classroom.  Among the many benefits to studying music:  focus, concentration, dedication to practicing, listening, team work, etc.

     I could not understand how the fashion show at Bressani would sell-out tickets to over 1000 guests attending.  I tried to get involved with this, by offering to perform live music, and even some recorded music if I could.  My attempts failed.  Music concerts were mostly held in the gymnasium.  However, we did arrange our Spring Concerts to take place at Markham Theatre.  It was challenging to rent a truck, load with all our instruments, deliver, unload at Markham Theatre, set-up throughout the day, deliver a concert in the evening, cleanup, drive the equipment home late that evening, with the next morning, return to school to unload the equipment, drive back the rented truck and then return to school.  What an incredible amount of organization, effort, work.  It was our hope (Mr. P.Mannion, who initiated this, but I continued the tradition), that this would encourage students to take music.

     Other strategies to sell the program.  We would arrange excursions, mostly to Huntsville for a weekend music camp.  We did travel to Halifax by bus to attend MusicFest Canada Nationals.  After P. Mannion left the school, I continued to work on introducing a better vest uniform, with fancy ties, “performance uniform”;  we recorded a cassette tape; we traveled more; we did our annual tour of family of schools, visiting and performing at elementary schools, to try and boost music interest.  The tour required organization as well with school buses, and a rented truck.  Three schools per day!!!!  Where did I get the energy?

     I remember having conversations with Frank Coffey, who was the chaplain at the school.  Some of these conversations developed into shouting matches.  He was trying to help me to better understand the purpose of music at liturgies.  I was not ready to understand this; mainly because I viewed school liturgies as a performance opportunity for the musicians (mainly choir members), and to promote the music program.  He was correct, the school liturgy required a cantor to inspire the entire congregation to join-in to sing in ways of heightened spiritual prayer, and praise to our Lord God.  I would work with students to choose songs that were current and would impress the audience.  In a way, I was mis-using and abusing this sacred moment.  

     Always trying to defend the importance of music education;  always trying to convince other students, teachers, administrators, parents, and others in the school community - that music is important to me and it can be a valuable experience for everyone else.  Yes, entertaining, but worthy of so much more.  I had to know my stuff, and I had to make connections, network and find ways to elevate the importance of music.

Being ready

     I would constantly try to prepare myself for the school year.  In fact, I would invest a lot of time to be ready to greet students, in every class.  Certainly, there were a few days where we all enjoyed a less intensive class.  But, for the most part, in order to avoid feeling overwhelmed and unprepared, I did try to be ready for the various activities I decided to arrange for students to actively participate-in.

     There were times when I had to “wing-it”; and many instructors should be flexible enough to adapt to the moment.  These unexpected surprises actually develop into wondrous moments:  “the teachable moment”!  I do recall many moments when all the prior preparation, handouts, activities and steps to reach a desired goal would be tossed-away because a surprise change would occur.  You have to embrace these moments and flow with the water current; not against it!

     Preparation is so important in order to achieve success.  I valued the time available to learn and experience.  I would remind students to do the same - and not, waste the time.  I often suggested to students that while I am working with this small group of students, what can you be doing?  Instead of viewing your phone messages, or speaking to a friend in class, try to connect with the lesson; connect with the music; connect with some thinking that would serve you “in this moment”.  When you are distracted, it takes a bit of time to bring you back; to focus again on the activity or lesson currently challenging you in so many ways.  

     In my early years as a teacher, I would avoid taking a day off to rest because I was not feeling well.  I did not trust my students in the classroom.  It took me many years to realize that I could arrange some useful experiences for students when I would be required to be away.  It does take time to prepare for the school year; the month; the week; the daily lesson.  There has to be consistency, planning, goals and objectives to accomplish.  Then, once prepared, you have to be good at delivering the lesson!!!!

     I did think of myself as an “edutainer”.  An educator responsible to entertain students - keep them interested, engaged and learning.  This was challenging, but also so rewarding and satisfying, in so many ways.  It’s challenging for a teacher to be a good role model; an effective guide; an attentive and caring human-being.  It takes time to gain experience and develop a reputation of excellence and trust.

     You have to strive to be the best that you can be; be humble and honest; be ready.