Wednesday, 30 December 2020

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.

Wednesday, 23 December 2020

Bulletin Board Displays

     My memory recall directed me to bulletin boards and how they have obviously changed in importance.  I mean, you still can bump into them in various places; but, not at all like it was designed to do many years ago.  Road signs are still popular, although many have been transformed into electronic displays.  Now, we see more monitor units attached everywhere, offering updates on the weather and news.  In my last few years of full time teaching, quite a few monitors were proudly displayed in the hallways.  It was not too long ago that teachers would roll-out a huge TV monitor mounted to a large cart, and positioned in the hallway to view videos and promoting messages.

     I was always drawn to bulletin boards - you know, the “cork-style” bulletin boards which would reveal upcoming events and advertisements.  Some bulletin boards were too messy to find information.  In my travels to various places, I would notice well designed bulletin boards and some messages would capture my interest.  In the “old” days, you kept yourself “in-the-know” if you encouraged yourself to visit many bulletin boards, especially those located in high traffic areas.  These postings, some very artistic indeed, would offer opportunities in so many areas of life:  attend a concert; purchase a used piece of equipment; rent a space; hair replacement; win a trip to some destination; etc.

     What’s interesting about bulletin boards is that it became a place for people to gather!  Often times, I would meet some very interesting people and some interesting conversations would develop and unfold.  It was an opportunity to network, to have social interaction.  Some of the people that gathered were of like-mind.  Most people would walk by bulletin boards, ignoring them completely.  I would purchase a coffee, and stand there reading, and sometimes, would even make notes to myself about an interesting fact of phrase or upcoming event.  

     At teachers’ college, bulletin board displays was thought of as a very important skill to develop, that in one of my classes, we were required to design bulletin boards on a rotary basis, selecting appropriate topics, preparing to use the available space artistically, sending an impactful message.  It was fun, but very time-consuming.  This course and the importance of bulletin boards stayed with me throughout my teaching career.  I would dedicate a lot of time to the bulletin boards available at Father Bressani CHS.  One such cork display board appeared just outside the main classroom where I instructed for 15 years.  I also had a few display boards located in the classroom also.  It was more than a place to simply post messages about upcoming events, or posting information about assignment due dates.

     Today we have our phones and various apps that send us reminders and post interesting videos on Instagram.  I think the old style bulletin boards did have a certain charm to them.  Today, conversations are being replaced.  Our behaviors are ever-changing, influenced by the changing technology.  I think and believe that Covid 19 pandemic has changed all of us, dramatically.  

     It did take time to design a useful bulletin board, and then, even more time to maintain it; and then, even more time to change it; update it.  Today, with the technology, one can put together something very powerful, with images and video, and sound.  Still, it does take time to prepare something unique and creative.  Of course, privacy and protection of rights, respect and more - all issues we are now dealing with on a global scale.  “The word is mightier than the sword” is certainly playing a huge changing role on a global scale.  Cyberattacks is the new way to force changes to government; changes to authority, changes to employment, and very dangerous to everyone; your identity can and will be compromised.  We are now more nervous and less trustworthy than ever before.  The exchange of information, mis-information, is taking place at lightening speed.  It’s changing how we interact with each other.

“The medium is in the message” or, is it the “the message is in the medium”?  Marshall McLuhan

Is it the communicating message in the medium that we should pay attention to? Or the other way?

Monday, 21 December 2020

Defending

     I suppose we all experience this feeling as we journey through life and we encounter waves of criticism.  I always felt this in my teaching career; having to defend my ideas and self worth.  I would notice that those around me would express mixed feelings about the importance of music.  Even today, the Education System is supporting STEM (Science, Technology, English and Math).  The Arts community supports:  STEAM!

     While teaching, I always felt that I had to fight to stay alive; to promote, advocate, and convince parents, students, colleagues, community members, and more that Music instruction is (was) important and valuable; that music deserved a seat at the table when decisions were explored.

     It seems that most arts organizations are in the same situation, on the edge, searching for donors to support the organization in the day-to-day operations.  Many arts organizations are reaching-out to connect and network.  

     I have experienced a similar fight in the accordion world, trying to convince listeners that the instrument is more than just a “polka”.

     It seems that many organizations are in the same situation.  For example, the Police are continuously challenged to reduce involvement and reduce budgets.  I think most politicians also feel unwanted.  Do we, and can we really trust our leaders?  We seem to question everyone and anything.  Another example is Covid-19 pandemic crisis;  each individual has a different story to tell about Covid-19; what to believe, which guidelines to follow; to wear a mask or not to wear a mask - that is the question.  

     We all experience moments where we must defend our ideas; defend our decisions; defend our beliefs.

Thursday, 10 December 2020

Another virtual school performance arranged

 I am pleased to announce that I have another school arranged for tomorrow!  I have contacted teachers I know, and from 6-7 emails sent, I now have a second school interested.  Today, we are testing the link connection to work-out and resolve any technical issues.  This particular presentation will be a one hour presentation, different than the first one I completed, where that first school involved teaching and adjudicating.  I hope that I continue to get similar invitations, so I plan to contact more people.

     (Dec 12). I think the session was very successful.  I enjoyed it immensely.  The performance was effective, where I added some new tunes, but mainly using the same routine I designed for the first school.  The Q & A section actually ran past the time;  it was also very enjoyable, the questions posed were really good, talking about music, music practicing, the accordion, the music arrangement I designed, etc.

     I think I’m on to something that can develop into more connections.  I have a nice package, offering entertaining and learning.  I include a listening guide and there is student participation by asking questions.  I think it really ties in well to the curriculum - supporting some expectations.  It involves listening, appreciating, and the power of music to bring people together to talk about life and stories.  I am inviting the two schools to prepare a letter that I can share in the future with other clients.  The testing session prior to the actual day is an important component to this.  Also, there is power outages in my area, so I have been fortunate that we did not have to re-schedule.  But, this feature is also important, to have an alternate day in case of sudden changes required.