Reminders

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Becky writes: Joel ~ Thank you so much for your article on hope. I was sitting here staring at a stack of papers that need to be graded, wondering how much longer I can take the stress that is piling up on me. I am in the middle of KTIP (Kentucky Teacher Intern Program–for new … Read more

Restoring Hope To Your Teaching Job

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I’ve noticed something lately. I have gotten a handful of comments and emails from people who seem to be teaching in what appears outwardly as a hopeless situation. I contend that the problem very rarely is in their situation. The problem rests in the lost joy and the long forgotten hope they once had. The … Read more

5 Guilty Pleasures On My iPod

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The 4th edition of the Music Education Blog Carnival is up over at Teacher in a Strange Land. Our beloved host Nancy asks the question, “What five songs on your iPod do you consider guilty pleasures?” It’s difficult to boil it down here with over 11,000 tracks (somewhere around 5,000 songs and 6,000 sermons) on … Read more

Exploring EduBlogs

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As my series of 10 Things I Wish I Knew As A First Year Teacher comes to a close, I want to point out that the world has changed dramatically over the last 7 years since I began teaching. As an educator, the primary advantage in the tremendous growth of the Internet would be the … Read more

If You Don’t Fill Your Schedule, Someone Else Will

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I have gotten 4 comments in the last 24 hours from people telling me about a time in their life (past or present) where they were so focused on school that it completely stressed them out. A big part of that comes from the fact that so many of us have a hard time saying, … Read more

If You Only Make One Change This School Year…RELAX!!!!!!

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Nothing in the classroom is worth added stress in your life. Nothing. If you only make one change this school year…Relax! I know so many band directors (and other teachers as well, but mostly band directors) who get so incredibly worked up over their jobs that they lose their health, marriage, youthful physique, energy, or alienate … Read more

So You Got A New Job! Should You Go Out And Buy A Bunch of New Crap?

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Just because you have a new job doesn’t mean that you need to spend everything you make. Just because you got your first paycheck doesn’t mean you need to spend it all. The temptation is there. Don’t do it! Listening to Dave Ramsey, I frequently hear him take calls from listeners who have racked up … Read more

If You Really Must Have Classroom Rules…Simplicity Is Key

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I am a huge fan of simplicity. For that matter, I love the idea of having no classroom rules. However, I know some people don’t operate that way. Great teachers can be found in both camps. But whether or not we feel it necessary to tie our students down with rules, the greatest commonality between … Read more

Pacing: What Every Great Band Director Knows

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One of the greatest challenges that I had as a first year teacher was with classroom management. I’ve mentioned that a number of times before and I think most first year teachers go through that. As with most, I noticed that I had some days where the kids were good, and others where they were … Read more