Travel

I am almost certain that one cannot argue against the Importance of including travel and its added impact to a program.  There is so much added value.  It is challenging to arrange an excursion, but there is so much satisfaction as well.  There is a difference between an excursion for music and say any other discipline.  Most music trips include performances and this means music instruments, and possibly other needed equipment and items.  Of course with equipment comes the need for additional larger transportation at the destination.  In addition, you need storage space and security for instruments and equipment.  Every time you are scheduled to move from your accommodation, it takes more time and the return trip is time consuming as well.

I have completed some wonderful excursions to many beautiful locations.  I have learned so much and I know that the students experienced good times as well.  We have traveled to attend music festivals and have traveled to arrange our performances at different locations.  The sights are spectacular and we have attended great concerts and visited interesting sites.  We walk, we listen, we see, we feel.  

I have worked with a variety of different tour companies, some who specialize with music groups.  I have met so many wonderful people and have had the pleasure of working with many great colleagues as well.  Some trips included flights, train, bus, walking, and small boat tours. Students have been exposed to different foods, have had to learn to be responsible for themselves and for others, have learned to share and to be cooperative and patient and flexible.  We have all learned about managing time, managing money and to be observant and safe.

Music trips take time to prepare, the added rehearsals and collection of important documents and some students have special requirements for diet and more.  However, these trips help to build your music program and the students return with a treasure of memories and absolutely some added skill.  Of course, teachers get to travel for free and this is our reward for arranging the arranging all the paperwork, the meetings, the rehearsals, the room checks late at night and so much more.  But, it's worth it - we love what we do for a living!  And I am so grateful for the opportunities to travel!

Do you share current news and information?

I think it is very important to share interesting news and information with your students.  I believe it motivates students and quite possibly encourages some to research even further into the topics or themes you suggest and describe.  For example, a few weeks ago, in all my music classes, I talked about Canadian Music Week, which is taking place this month here in Toronto.  Its an annual festival and while it is expensive to attend the sessions, I still think it is important that students know about this event and talk about it a bit.  Over the next several days I will talk about an event happening in April, specifically the international day for Jazz!  There is a wonderful site: www.jazzday.com, which includes many useful links to other information.  This is the point of all this:  perhaps by searching one event you navigate to other useful connections and events that can add so much value to your study and may encourage one to connect to something very special indeed.

It's important to stay current and to motivate students with exciting activities happening in the community close to home and beyond.

Are you an inspiring teacher?

My teaching day moves rather quicky - time simply "flies-by"!  I enjoy the day immensely and I have so much I want to share with my students.  I strive to make the activities and gatherings interesting and significant!  I "burn" for what I do because I am inspired by participating with great music and wonderful students in a spectacular school.  What does it mean to be an inspiring teacher? 

I remember with a real sense of good feelings those teachers that I had as a student attending elementary, junior high and secondary schools when I was a young learner.  Those memories are very special and these individuals certainly added value to my life in meaningful ways.  Maybe some were good listeners;  maybe some were amazing role models;  maybe some were gifted in ways that connected with me.  I suppose that is the key ingredient: to show that you care and that you can connect with a person who is inspired by your approach to learning;  that you display a powerful message / approach "in the moment"; your charm and sense of humour;  your willingness to listen and guide or pull back when necessary;  the ability to know when to speak and when to remain silent.  Do you show your students that you enjoy working with them?  And in every moment?  Do you show your students that you have a passion for what you do?  Are you professional and do you treat everyone with fairness and dignity?  Do you communicate well?  Do you know your stuff and are well prepared to deliver activities and lessons that challenge everyone to think?  Are you creative and imaginative?  Do you tell great stories?  Are you up-to-date with what is current?  Does your passion for learning inspire?

March break: a good time to plan ideas

March break offers some time to reflect and plan.  Last year I traveled with a school group and supervised.  While it was a spectacular experience, you are on duty to supervise students and most of your thinking lies with the needs of the trip.  This year I managed to complete a number of tasks at home for the family, get some rest and do some planning and preparation for my return to school next week.

I marked a few submissions and also strategized a bit about the remaining months of the school year. There really is so much to do!  It's important to prioritize and avoid the anxiety of overwhelming yourself about the little stuff.

The added challenge for me is that I am a department head of arts and so part of the thinking is realizing that while I am busy teaching and guiding a variety of activities, I am involved with many decisions in planning for next year:  budget, timetable, department meetings, problem-solving, and more.

So, it is vital to design a suitable plan for all these wonderful duties and challenges.  To create a to-do list with a calendar and to make sure that I avoid taking on more than I can handle.   I do keep a good journal or summary of activities on a daily basis which certainly helps to shed light on the road ahead.  The key for me is to be fair and consistent.  That is why it is important to get enough rest which helps the mind to be clear and helps the person to be patient.  March break time does offer brief periods or moments to break away from the normal routine and offers some space to reflect and plan.

In addition, I want to achieve some of the other objectives and goals such as:  practicing!

Let me introduce myself - a practicing artist

Welcome to my blog designed to share experiences and information about me:  John Lettieri as a Music Educator, presently teaching music at Saint Elizabeth Catholic High School, Thornhill, Ontario, Canada.  This blog is separate from the other blog I have created:  Accordionist.  Yet, my teaching and my performing are so related and intertwined.  I truly believe that a music educator should continue to perform as an artist because you are constantly bringing these experiences into the classroom.  My teaching is heavily influenced by my passion for performing.  In addition, I have discovered that the students I work with tend to respect what you have to offer and say because they know that you are a practicing artist. 

Wouldn't be extra special to know that if you are studying a particular stream of Science, that you were working with an instructor who not only dedicates time to teaching, but is also someone who is a researcher in the area of Science?  Wouldn't be extra inspiring if you were in the athletic program at school and your instructor is a former Olympic Athlete?

I encourage my students in grade twelve to select a post secondary school by researching who the teachers are at that particular school.  If I knew that +R. Murray Schafer was teaching at a particular University, I would want to attend that school because I would want to study with this highly regarded composer and teacher.  There is so much more added value in this decision. 

When you talk about the importance of practicing with your music students, you can share insights that are helpful to the student because you yourself treasure the importance of practicing on a daily basis.  You live it and therefore your sharing and directing takes on a whole different meaning for the student(s).

That's enough for now, and this first entry will serve nicely as an introduction.