Becoming a music teacher can happen through so many different paths. Do you sometimes go back and think about how you became a music teacher and what keeps you going?or perhaps you are a young musician who wants to explore a career in music teaching?
Why This Post?
I belong to a group of music teachers who are also bloggers. We have been thinking about the stress we all feel in November, overwhelming time at school, concerts, recent events, you name it! We wanted to start a series of posts where we all share what made us become a music teacher and what keeps us going when times are difficult!
If you want to follow the idea or share this post, please use #whyiteachmusic so we can connect!
So here we go!
How I became a Music Teacher?
I have always loved teaching. However, my training was that of a performer. I started playing the violin at the age of 5 in my country. This is a system where they tell you what you should become before you can make a choice of your own…
During my Bachelor’s degree I had a couple of students. I enjoyed it very much.
At the start of my Master’s degree I was introduced to Susan Kempter’s string pedagogy program at the University of New Mexico. The moment I set foot in that classroom and observed one class, I knew that this is what I would be doing.
Getting my first job had a similar story. I wasn’t supposed to teach music at the public schools. When I graduated from college I had started two private Suzuki violin programs at local school. I had a very tiny position at a local public school teaching orchestra.
Three years later, my orchestra position grew, I have university students who are coming to observe our classes. W were so happy to win a state competition last year! But most important, I love coming every single day and working with these kids.
I do feel that destiny slowly led me to where I need to be now. I couldn’t be happier!
What keeps me going?
So many things! But here are a few!
- The final product and seeing the result of hard work!
- The enthusiasm in children’s eyes! It makes me feel amazing!
- Starting a child on an instrument for the first time. Watching them grow.
- The years and countless hours I’ve spent building a program, now being able to step back and see that.
- The amazing relationships that I have with some of my students and families. I do feel that I am at home when at my school.
- Seeing the product of many years of hard work of recruiting, developing a program, and enjoying it!
I feel that teachers know if they are truly making a difference. This is the real different between teaching as a job and as a purpose in life. It is not something you can explain. Once you know it, there is no going back. These are the teacher who do not quit!
What I am Grateful For?
- The stories that kids have shared about music changing their lives! Read about one of these stories here!
- Being able to give and receive back. There is so much more than music happening in a music classroom!
- I red this little book last year that really got me thinking. I have consciously been thinking about what I am grateful for in my life. Now I cherish all days spent with my kids at school.
My Best Advice for Becoming a Music Teacher?
Always have a purpose for doing what you are doing! Don’t let the bad days determine that purpose!
And Now for The Fun Part- Music Teacher Giveaway!
I totally agree with your point about relationships. We have the unique opportunity to develop relationships with our students over the course of many years and watch them grow, and that is amazing! I know many music teachers who think about quitting, but say, “well, I have to stay until so-and-so graduates”. And then of course every year there’s another “so-and-so” that they want to see through to the end 😉 Thank you for sharing #whyiteachmusic! I think it is so important for us to support each other as music teachers!
Thank you Elizabeth! Yes support between music teachers is so very important! With that, thank you for organizing us to write about what we love about our job!