back to school

the last couple weeks i have been gearing up for my return to teaching, although this year is much different. class starts in 2 weeks and usually time of the year is all stress. part of it is worrying about the simple things, did they screw up my schedule? how many of my best students will have conflicts with my ensembles, is the music room going to be hosting math classes again?

well... this fall none of that will happen. i do have a small amount of stress for classes i'll be teaching at csuf, but really i don't feel like i'm in for the usual fall drama. right now my biggest problem is getting keys to my classrooms and office. ( i'll take that anyday, although how hard can it be to get keys made) also my schedule has turned into a real nice one; 4 classes, two days a week that range from freshman ear training to a mix of music education classes and supervision of some student teachers. i've signed up for the commute to work program and will be taking the goldline and metrolink trains to school. its going to be great giving up driving 350 miles a week.

for the first time in 11 years it will be strange not working with any ensembles. i know i'll miss working with the kids. i feel really fortunate to have been able to teach from the beginning to the end. (5-12) it was always a great to have that mix in your day; 5th graders who come in with so much energy, middle schoolers with their detached and awkwardness to high school seniors who are starting to get excited for their college years.

its hard to think that i might not ever teach those ages again. the conflicts that arise with composing and performing don't mix well with secondary schools. if it couldn't work out at a private school like viewpoint, i'm not sure if it would work anywhere else. when i started out teaching at 25 i never envisioned my life as it is now. i thought teaching kids was going to be my career. over time i realized i needed performing and composing in my life, i couldn't just give it up that easily. i'm happy with all the years i spent teaching younger kids and feel lucky for the time i had. its been a strange journey and i'm looking forward to the next step.