I am on vacation from July 21st through July 30th! I’ll be going to visit my parents, some friends, cruising Texas, and end up at the Texas Bandmasters Association convention. I’m conducting an experiment while I am out. I’m calling it Bloggers Gone Wild. I will not write a comment or post on the blog … Read more
This article was recently featured in the Carnival of Education, #180. Check it out if you haven’t already! I was recently asked about how I handle student absences and make-up work. As a band director, generally an absence simply means they missed out on a rehearsal and we don’t have a lot of make-up work … Read more
I recently wrote the most-commented article on this site to date about the number of hours teachers work and comparing those to standard business world people. As I write this one, I’m sure it will stir up just as many responses, though many of them will surely be in disagreement with me. Just keep reading, … Read more
Summer is a great time to read and catch up on reading. I have a bookshelf full of books, but very few that I have read really jump out and grab me as being amongst the greatest. But a handful do. These books have, in one way or another, changed the course of my life. … Read more
For an updated list of iPhone apps I actually use in band class after over year of use, check out 20 Ways I Really Use My iPhone To Teach Band Class I haven’t gotten a new cell phone in the last two years, so I am excited about this opportunity to upgrade. My decision to … Read more
Last week, I wrote an article called 10 Teaching Myths Busted. Those myths were: Teaching preparation programs produce prepared teachers When I get my own classroom the students will respect me Students come to school primarily to learn I teach an elective class, surely all of my students want to be there If I have problems with … Read more
Greg recently commented on an article my site. As I typically do, I went to look at his blog Total Music Education and see what he’s all about. His blog intrigues me. I didn’t have time to read through his entire site, but what I can gather is that he is a music education student … Read more
Freedom from oppression Doing what I love and making money for it Freedom of faith The Bible Hymns My family My friends My dogs My home My blog Clarinet Learning The opportunity to learn Dave Ramsey My iPod My laptop Summer “break” Spring break Christmas break Trumpet My students Making music Mariachi Text messages My … Read more
I have been holding my tongue on this issue for over a month, but I thought I’d jump in and respond while I have time and am thinking about it. J Frap recently left a comment on my article 9 Reasons To Quit Teaching (And 10 Reasons To Stick) that got under my skin. You … Read more
Welcome to the very first edition of the Music Education Blog Carnival! I have sorted through the submissions, weeded through them some, and now present to you some absolutely terrific articles here! We’ll start out by sorting things out a little bit. The articles came in basically three categories: Practice, Practice, and more Practice, Teaching … Read more