Aack! More than 3 weeks since I last posted. I'm hoping to catch up this summer on the stories I need to share:
*Choral catastrophes (fainting/ill children at performances, threats)
*First overnight field trip with my students
*Family party with Westley's kin
*Teaching my students how to "insult someone intelligently"
*Class personalities and how they changed
*2nd concert (which actually takes place tonight!)
*Reflections on a first year of teaching which is somehow very nearly over (how is it possible that I'm almost done?!?!?!?!?!)
I'm listing the above so I remember that I want to write down these stories before I forget them! Then ... in the years to come, I'll look back fondly on this first year of teaching, the year of my engagement, etc.
Plans for this summer:
I'm dreaming of curling up in a chair with a refreshing cup of tea (although lately I've become a coffee addict, something I'd always hoped to avoid *sigh*) with my laptop and writing. Planning my wedding. Picking music for next year. Making plans, resources for next year. Going through all my junk/stuff/clothing/etc. and getting rid of what I don't need/want. Getting organized. My bedroom is chaotic with bags of stuff here, boxes of stuff there. Bridal magazines given to me by a friend. Piles of sheet music. Books. CDs. Pictures. Miscellaneous stuff. I want to be able to walk through my room and have EVERYTHING in some kind of organized arrangement.
OK, and because today's my concert (and also fortunately, my part-time day), I'm going into school late. Otherwise, I'd be there at this very moment. I still need to go, however, and I should leave soon ... so I'll have to continue this stream-of-consciousness later ... maybe next week ... or maybe when my summer officially begins- 2 weeks from today! (Students' last day is the 10th, but mine is the 12th.) Hmm ...
Anyway ... be back sooner than later!!!
Friday, May 29, 2009
Sunday, May 03, 2009
April ... a summary :)
I've started posts and saved them ... intending to finish and publish them eventually. I'd been working on one in particular for awhile ... and now it's been more than a month since the event actually occurred. And it's been longer than that since I've written. So ... instead of revising all those old incomplete posts ... here was my April:
April was a whirlwind of a month. The month began and ended with field trips. At the beginning of the month, I took my top choir to a district festival where they performed beautifully. They were one of a handful of choirs that performed in a higher category. My supervisor rewarded me with high praise, saying, "I am your biggest fan right now" and "I am SO proud of you" and "This is an excellent accomplishment, especially for a first year teacher!"
Surprised and pleased, I thanked her for her kind words and said honestly, "Well, I did inherit a good program," and she gave me additional credit for keeping it going and improving it. Glorious way to start out the month.
Then I was consumed with our school musical. My predecessor had warned me against doing too much, and she advised me to NOT take on the school musical. I had known, however, that I wanted to do it because I didn't want anyone else teaching my kids how to sing. As the vocal expert in the school, I felt responsible for instilling good vocal habits and teaching proper technique. My colleague (who has become an excellent friend this year!) and I were fortunate to have additional assistance from very talented high school students who choreographed and staged the entire show. We taught the music and handled virtually all of the logistics. The show was a great success. Our students were marvelous, the audience doubled in size from last year's production to this year, and our very impressed principal called it "delightful" and the "perfect choice for a middle school show." Even better? Some of the students in the show who aren't in my classes this year have signed up to take my classes next year!!!
The month ended with my first overnight field trip for students from my department. The trip was a success, the students were well-behaved, and my collection of Disney movies were popular on the bus. :)
Other important events in April:
*Easter (conducted a choir at one service, accompanied another group at a later service)
*Scheduling for next year: I will be full-time!!! (I will be teaching a subject out of my field, but I do have some experience with it and I'm excited for the opportunity! Plus, it's a huge difference in my salary- 10%!)
*Westley's final concert at GradSchool ... and I loved joining them onstage for the traditional Alumni song ... *sigh* So much has happened since I sang on that stage last ... and so much more may happen before I have the opportunity to sing with them again ...
April was a whirlwind of a month. The month began and ended with field trips. At the beginning of the month, I took my top choir to a district festival where they performed beautifully. They were one of a handful of choirs that performed in a higher category. My supervisor rewarded me with high praise, saying, "I am your biggest fan right now" and "I am SO proud of you" and "This is an excellent accomplishment, especially for a first year teacher!"
Surprised and pleased, I thanked her for her kind words and said honestly, "Well, I did inherit a good program," and she gave me additional credit for keeping it going and improving it. Glorious way to start out the month.
Then I was consumed with our school musical. My predecessor had warned me against doing too much, and she advised me to NOT take on the school musical. I had known, however, that I wanted to do it because I didn't want anyone else teaching my kids how to sing. As the vocal expert in the school, I felt responsible for instilling good vocal habits and teaching proper technique. My colleague (who has become an excellent friend this year!) and I were fortunate to have additional assistance from very talented high school students who choreographed and staged the entire show. We taught the music and handled virtually all of the logistics. The show was a great success. Our students were marvelous, the audience doubled in size from last year's production to this year, and our very impressed principal called it "delightful" and the "perfect choice for a middle school show." Even better? Some of the students in the show who aren't in my classes this year have signed up to take my classes next year!!!
The month ended with my first overnight field trip for students from my department. The trip was a success, the students were well-behaved, and my collection of Disney movies were popular on the bus. :)
Other important events in April:
*Easter (conducted a choir at one service, accompanied another group at a later service)
*Scheduling for next year: I will be full-time!!! (I will be teaching a subject out of my field, but I do have some experience with it and I'm excited for the opportunity! Plus, it's a huge difference in my salary- 10%!)
*Westley's final concert at GradSchool ... and I loved joining them onstage for the traditional Alumni song ... *sigh* So much has happened since I sang on that stage last ... and so much more may happen before I have the opportunity to sing with them again ...
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