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 ...