I noticed that (back in January 2018), I introduced the idea and described my interest in writing a book about teaching music in high school, based on my career as a music educator. This entry is to inform readers that I have started to write and try to add about 100 words-a-day! Of course, there have been weeks since I started this that I have not viewed or written anything. It seems that now that I am on vacation, I am in a routine, trying to follow this goal of contributing at least 100 words per day.
Bye for now.
Monday, 30 July 2018
Tuesday, 17 July 2018
Influence and inspiring
A couple of evenings ago, I was invited to perform with a former student: Carlo C. at the Pizzafest, held in Woodbridge, outdoors. Playing on drums was another former student of mine: Marco S. This is not new for me. Over the years, I have been invited to accompany many former music vocalists at church and other events.
In conversations that night, I was reminded of other former students currently performing in Toronto and beyond! The band performing before our spot was exiting the stage and a musician approaches me, whom I did not recognize at first, yet another former student’s brother: Johnny M.
We chatted a bit and then, another former student who was actually one of the main organizers of the event: Mr. Billingsley reminded me of his unique trumpet playing style at Father Bressani CHS.
There were many long moments of time available to us before we actually took to the stage to perform, and this offered me segments of time to reflect. Many students in music career today, share kind words about how I influenced and inspired them to continue to explore a career in music performing. I am grateful and pleased to hear this. I have thought about this on many occasions, over the years. Not only in music performing, but so many former students of mine have continued in education, some actually becoming music educators!
How does someone define purpose and value in their teaching career? Many students shared kind words a few weeks ago when I was celebrating my retirement. Many of these same students will probably not explore a career in music or music education, but I do have a feeling that I influenced and inspired most of them to strive to be the best that they could be; to develop a passion for learning; to appreciate the power of music to transform lives; and to live life to the fullest.
Bye for now.
In conversations that night, I was reminded of other former students currently performing in Toronto and beyond! The band performing before our spot was exiting the stage and a musician approaches me, whom I did not recognize at first, yet another former student’s brother: Johnny M.
We chatted a bit and then, another former student who was actually one of the main organizers of the event: Mr. Billingsley reminded me of his unique trumpet playing style at Father Bressani CHS.
There were many long moments of time available to us before we actually took to the stage to perform, and this offered me segments of time to reflect. Many students in music career today, share kind words about how I influenced and inspired them to continue to explore a career in music performing. I am grateful and pleased to hear this. I have thought about this on many occasions, over the years. Not only in music performing, but so many former students of mine have continued in education, some actually becoming music educators!
How does someone define purpose and value in their teaching career? Many students shared kind words a few weeks ago when I was celebrating my retirement. Many of these same students will probably not explore a career in music or music education, but I do have a feeling that I influenced and inspired most of them to strive to be the best that they could be; to develop a passion for learning; to appreciate the power of music to transform lives; and to live life to the fullest.
Bye for now.
Sunday, 8 July 2018
What I will miss most about teaching
Of course I will miss working with young students - I suppose that’s the right thing to say - right?
But, what I will miss most is the “research” feature that I placed on my teaching. I always strived to be a better teacher of music. This search for ways to develop educational activities that would enhance the experience for students always peaked my curiosity. I enjoyed finding-out more about how people learn and have always had a passion for learning. This interest encouraged me to continue my desire to be the best teacher of music. So, this is the aspect I will miss most. I enjoyed attending meetings and making new discoveries. I would often read a variety of articles and search a variety of resources. These discoveries would inspire my teaching. Of course, I would often relate teachings to my faith too.
I found over the years that many of my colleagues were searching for ways to make their teaching lives easier. I didn’t search for ways “out” of doing extra work; I searched for ways to bring me closer to knowledge and wisdom. I think that many of my colleagues lost-out on the best parts of teaching because they avoided investing the extra time to do the extra “things”.
To be an effective teacher you need to invest time and practicing your craft. These means dedication to reading, research, experimentation, communication with partners, spending long days in your teaching space to clean-up and organize.
I think that I was an effective teacher because I was always willing to do the research and dedicate the extra time to getting the job done. Preparation is necessary - daily! To challenge the students and keep them interested required an investment of time, above and beyond the “normal” calling. You have to be attentive to details; efficient in your daily routines. You have to know what you are doing and know who you are working with. This cannot be done to a high degree if you arrive late in the morning, and leave early at night.
I hope that now that I am retired, I continue to research because I believe it’s the searching to be better that really helps to make one’s life exciting and interesting!
Bye for now.
But, what I will miss most is the “research” feature that I placed on my teaching. I always strived to be a better teacher of music. This search for ways to develop educational activities that would enhance the experience for students always peaked my curiosity. I enjoyed finding-out more about how people learn and have always had a passion for learning. This interest encouraged me to continue my desire to be the best teacher of music. So, this is the aspect I will miss most. I enjoyed attending meetings and making new discoveries. I would often read a variety of articles and search a variety of resources. These discoveries would inspire my teaching. Of course, I would often relate teachings to my faith too.
I found over the years that many of my colleagues were searching for ways to make their teaching lives easier. I didn’t search for ways “out” of doing extra work; I searched for ways to bring me closer to knowledge and wisdom. I think that many of my colleagues lost-out on the best parts of teaching because they avoided investing the extra time to do the extra “things”.
To be an effective teacher you need to invest time and practicing your craft. These means dedication to reading, research, experimentation, communication with partners, spending long days in your teaching space to clean-up and organize.
I think that I was an effective teacher because I was always willing to do the research and dedicate the extra time to getting the job done. Preparation is necessary - daily! To challenge the students and keep them interested required an investment of time, above and beyond the “normal” calling. You have to be attentive to details; efficient in your daily routines. You have to know what you are doing and know who you are working with. This cannot be done to a high degree if you arrive late in the morning, and leave early at night.
I hope that now that I am retired, I continue to research because I believe it’s the searching to be better that really helps to make one’s life exciting and interesting!
Bye for now.
Saturday, 7 July 2018
Retirement celebrations
It’s been a wonderful conclusion to my career in teaching. First, the students I worked with this past semester offered a few beautiful celebrations. The grade 12 class brought in a cake on the examination date; they also created a wonderful video and dedicated lyrics to some songs they composed. The grade 11 class also celebrated with me at the conclusion of the examination date, bringing gifts in a beautiful basket and dedicating photos and comments to a book. In addition, the grade 11 class created a poster with words and many chocolate bar types (variety of different sizes and name brands) to represent words. Then, the many cards and additional gifts shared by many students in all grade levels taught this past semester.
At RAP graduation, flowers were given to me with a beautiful speech by Sienna, music council president.
My Colleague: Stacey organized a wonderful party at a local pub in June, with live music by Bosco, Dave, and former student Anthony B. I brought my accordion and played a bit too. We stayed really late that night - it was a wonderful celebration. At the pub, even Joe M. and Neal P. showed up, which was a great surprise. Also, some Vice-Principals and Principals from the past: Fabian, Nunzio, Cathy, showed up, lots of surprises as I didn’t expect so many people attending. There was a great cake made by Joe D.
A few former students from my days teaching at Bressani also brought me gifts. Jennifer, who is now a high school teacher, visited me in the last few days at St. Elizabeth, after examinations, and brought me a book which included comments from former students at Bressani. Other teachers in the school board offered gifts and cards as well.
On the last official day of June 29th, we celebrated a prayer-service in the Chappell, located on the 3rd floor. Following this, Yolan, department head of arts, said some kind words about me and presented me with a card-gift.
I am thankful to everyone for celebrating with me. Thank you to all my teaching friends, students, and friends who took the time to attend celebrations and offering kind words.
Bye for now.
At RAP graduation, flowers were given to me with a beautiful speech by Sienna, music council president.
My Colleague: Stacey organized a wonderful party at a local pub in June, with live music by Bosco, Dave, and former student Anthony B. I brought my accordion and played a bit too. We stayed really late that night - it was a wonderful celebration. At the pub, even Joe M. and Neal P. showed up, which was a great surprise. Also, some Vice-Principals and Principals from the past: Fabian, Nunzio, Cathy, showed up, lots of surprises as I didn’t expect so many people attending. There was a great cake made by Joe D.
A few former students from my days teaching at Bressani also brought me gifts. Jennifer, who is now a high school teacher, visited me in the last few days at St. Elizabeth, after examinations, and brought me a book which included comments from former students at Bressani. Other teachers in the school board offered gifts and cards as well.
On the last official day of June 29th, we celebrated a prayer-service in the Chappell, located on the 3rd floor. Following this, Yolan, department head of arts, said some kind words about me and presented me with a card-gift.
I am thankful to everyone for celebrating with me. Thank you to all my teaching friends, students, and friends who took the time to attend celebrations and offering kind words.
Bye for now.
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