So, Principal Janeway continues to inspire me with hope. I know she's still in her 'honeymoon phase' - where all new principals bide their time before they press forward with their 'real' agenda. Even so, she feels far more genuine than Principal Palpatine ever did. (of course, the saying "Smells better than shit" applies) In the few times that I've talked with her, she's basically said all the right things - and none of it came off as pleasantries that were only meant to put me at ease, or gain my confidence. She seems to have a vision of what she wants the music department to be - it appears to be a lot like mine. It's going to take a lot of work - but that's okay.... better than okay, in fact.
I also get the feeling that someone warned her not to say the words "marching band" around me, which amuses me to no end.
Notable Janeway quotes:
"I don't care about marching band - why don't we build a big orchestra?"
"We've got to get the counselors to stop advising kids out of music."
"Can you publicize your concerts a little earlier? I really want to make sure that we get administrators there, and this one took us by surprise."
I know that I have to be careful - I am prone to blind faith in people sometimes. But then, given how taken Beethoven was with Napoleon at first, I'll count myself in good company.
Saturday, December 14, 2013
Thursday, December 12, 2013
Concert Fail
Had a concert last night. It was the first one in a long time that I didn't feel good about. All concerts have highs and lows, but I usually walk away feeling that overall, I did something good for the kids and their families. Last night I wanted to give people their money back.... except that we offer our concerts for free.
Some of the groups did okay, others not so much. Somehow we ended up with a program that was far shorter than anything we've done in the last ten years. Even so, a lot of it sounded like it just came out of the oven too early (musically speaking) I'm trying to do the math in my head, and I can't figure out how I could have let this happen.
There are a lot of things that I could have blamed it on - the extended football season, the fact that my 'challenged' student teacher required more time in front of the class (which significantly affected my own preparation), the weird way that the calendar played out this year, being distracted by my father's illness. All of it's true, but none of it matters - I'm a professional with a masters degree in what I do. This shit shouldn't happen.
The kids still love me, as do the parents, but I can't let this happen again.
Some of the groups did okay, others not so much. Somehow we ended up with a program that was far shorter than anything we've done in the last ten years. Even so, a lot of it sounded like it just came out of the oven too early (musically speaking) I'm trying to do the math in my head, and I can't figure out how I could have let this happen.
There are a lot of things that I could have blamed it on - the extended football season, the fact that my 'challenged' student teacher required more time in front of the class (which significantly affected my own preparation), the weird way that the calendar played out this year, being distracted by my father's illness. All of it's true, but none of it matters - I'm a professional with a masters degree in what I do. This shit shouldn't happen.
The kids still love me, as do the parents, but I can't let this happen again.
Saturday, November 30, 2013
A Winter of Discontent
So regarding the Thanksgiving Weekend football game that I decided to blow off... I was actually feeling a little guilty about cancelling the pep band appearance, and was trying to just put my mind at ease (especially since the rain excuse wasn't looking like it was going to pan out) when the universe decided to 'help me out' by giving me something else to worry about.
The short of it is that my father went into the hospital for a menagerie of conditions that converged simultaneously on him on Thanksgiving morning. Now... I cancelled the pep band appearance two days before this showed up on the radar - some idiotic voice in my head is still trying to guilt trip me about that... but for the most part I am grateful that I didn't have to scramble to find someone to chaperone in my absence *or* cancel at the last minute. For the record, the idiot voice is bound, gagged and locked in the closet.
I ended up spending most of the weekend out of town - hanging out with my family at the hospital, mostly watching my dad sleep (struggling for breath and looking generally uncomfortable as hell). It was a hard thing to see... especially since I couldn't help but think "This will probably be me someday" I just hope my son will be old enough to handle it, and that I'll be less stubborn than my father is being now. (Long story, which I won't bother you with)
Obviously game wasn't even an afterthought. I only knew the outcome because the ASB adviser broadcast it on Facebook. I did bring my own wife and son back home after a few days - she has work and he has school. I have to at least spend a day getting my classes ready to work towards the concert, without me if necessary. As of today, dad is kind of doing better, but he's not great. Even a 'recovery' would put him back to status quo, which was sketchy to begin with. So I need to be ready to leave again, at a moments notice... and until further notice.
The weird thing is that even given the number of things that can go wrong this month - I'm kind of getting Zen about it. I feel funny about calling it an 'advantage' - but there is a calming peace that comes with realizing that you can give the world the middle finger once in a while and take care of what's important.
The short of it is that my father went into the hospital for a menagerie of conditions that converged simultaneously on him on Thanksgiving morning. Now... I cancelled the pep band appearance two days before this showed up on the radar - some idiotic voice in my head is still trying to guilt trip me about that... but for the most part I am grateful that I didn't have to scramble to find someone to chaperone in my absence *or* cancel at the last minute. For the record, the idiot voice is bound, gagged and locked in the closet.
I ended up spending most of the weekend out of town - hanging out with my family at the hospital, mostly watching my dad sleep (struggling for breath and looking generally uncomfortable as hell). It was a hard thing to see... especially since I couldn't help but think "This will probably be me someday" I just hope my son will be old enough to handle it, and that I'll be less stubborn than my father is being now. (Long story, which I won't bother you with)
Obviously game wasn't even an afterthought. I only knew the outcome because the ASB adviser broadcast it on Facebook. I did bring my own wife and son back home after a few days - she has work and he has school. I have to at least spend a day getting my classes ready to work towards the concert, without me if necessary. As of today, dad is kind of doing better, but he's not great. Even a 'recovery' would put him back to status quo, which was sketchy to begin with. So I need to be ready to leave again, at a moments notice... and until further notice.
The weird thing is that even given the number of things that can go wrong this month - I'm kind of getting Zen about it. I feel funny about calling it an 'advantage' - but there is a calming peace that comes with realizing that you can give the world the middle finger once in a while and take care of what's important.
Wednesday, November 27, 2013
For Whom the Bell Tolls 2013 - Follow-Up
My student teacher was, not surprisingly, shocked by her poor evaluation. She immediately communicated her displeasure to the university student teacher coordinator, stating that she didn't agree with much of it. He called a meeting that included the three of us, as well as her university adviser (who also panned her in his own evaluation)
I came out of that meeting with more concerns than going in, because it was clear to me that she couldn't wrap her mind around why her evaluation came out the way it did. She's confused about what the expectations are, and what adjustments she should make from here on out. And while one can argue that as her advisers and mentors, we do have a responsibility to clarify things... I have to admit that I, at least, am starting to feel like the parent who is helping their kid a little too much on the homework assignments. Teachers are supposed to help develop 504 plans, not require them for themselves.
She's trying to move forward, but it is slow going. Her projection of her 'presence' in the classroom is still weak. Her lesson plans lack organization and focus. Her musical knowledge is riddled with holes... She's still in danger of not passing, and the scary thing is I don't think she understands how far behind she is in a lot of areas.
All the while I'm looking at that approaching 2-week block in January where she's supposed to take over some of my classes... And I'm wondering exactly how large of a mop-up job I'll have on my hands when it's over :-/
I came out of that meeting with more concerns than going in, because it was clear to me that she couldn't wrap her mind around why her evaluation came out the way it did. She's confused about what the expectations are, and what adjustments she should make from here on out. And while one can argue that as her advisers and mentors, we do have a responsibility to clarify things... I have to admit that I, at least, am starting to feel like the parent who is helping their kid a little too much on the homework assignments. Teachers are supposed to help develop 504 plans, not require them for themselves.
She's trying to move forward, but it is slow going. Her projection of her 'presence' in the classroom is still weak. Her lesson plans lack organization and focus. Her musical knowledge is riddled with holes... She's still in danger of not passing, and the scary thing is I don't think she understands how far behind she is in a lot of areas.
All the while I'm looking at that approaching 2-week block in January where she's supposed to take over some of my classes... And I'm wondering exactly how large of a mop-up job I'll have on my hands when it's over :-/
Dangerous Games
I'm running something of a risky experiment. I decided to cancel the pep band appearance at this Friday's football game. My reasons include 1) possibility of rain (which actually, is getting less likely as Friday approaches :-/ 2) The number of students that will be absent because of the Thanksgiving holiday (which is kind of true). I probably could have scrounged up something of a band, but it would have been tiny.... I mean significantly smaller than our band is on a regular basis, which is pretty damn small for a high school band to begin with. I mean you tell me: is it better to have no band at all, or an appearance by the musical equivalent of the Charlie Brown Christmas Tree?
I might get an inquiry from the administration, and I might get a few phone calls and e-mails from football parents - I'm prepared for that. It certainly won't be enough to get me fired, and it's unlikely that it will result in any formal disciplinary action against me. Unlikely. I think. So why am I doing this? First and foremost, it's Thanksgiving... and my band has been faithfully appearing at the home games since the beginning of the year. They deserve a break. But secondly, I'm testing to see how the climate of the community has changed since the terror regime of Principal Palpatine, who attempted to use the band as a bargaining chip with the infamously influential football crowd. Janeway appears to have no such ambition, and (so far) has been equally supportive of the music program as she is of athletics. Appears to be. So far.
It is also significant to note that our football team is far more successful now than they were during Palpatine's rule. The football parents are, I'm guessing, less desperate for public support. Back in our mostly-losing years, the parents tended to complain about everything - the lack of general attendance at the games, the quality of the cheer program, the size of the band (and the lack of uniforms). One parent, suggested to the AD that the school should require students to attend the games (because, you know, forcing someone to do something always generates enthusiasm). Another mom wrote an angry letter to the cheer adviser, telling her that the team was losing because the cheerleaders failed at getting the audience appropriately hyped up (she offered to come in and give the girls a pep talk).
With our current winning streak, the football parents have been (on average) more appreciative of the band presence - that's just a rough estimate based on the number of salutes and pats-on-the-back I get as people leave the stadium at the end of the game.
Early data from the experiment so far:
* Most of the people (staff) at the school who know about my decision don't seem overly concerned. The Athletic Director just shrugged. The only person who gave me grief was the cheer adviser - which is kind of funny because she's missing the game herself due to her own holiday plans (she's sending the girls with a chaperone :-/)
* The band itself is kind of split - some of the kids were happy to get their holiday weekend back, but some really wanted to go.
* As nice as it is that I get more time with my own family, I just might spend a lot of it worrying about the reaction to our absence. I'm trying to beat those thoughts back with the security of knowing
that 1) I have rep to burn 2) Our appearance at the (very likely) following championship game will probably smooth everything out. Probably.
Will let you know how that works out.
I might get an inquiry from the administration, and I might get a few phone calls and e-mails from football parents - I'm prepared for that. It certainly won't be enough to get me fired, and it's unlikely that it will result in any formal disciplinary action against me. Unlikely. I think. So why am I doing this? First and foremost, it's Thanksgiving... and my band has been faithfully appearing at the home games since the beginning of the year. They deserve a break. But secondly, I'm testing to see how the climate of the community has changed since the terror regime of Principal Palpatine, who attempted to use the band as a bargaining chip with the infamously influential football crowd. Janeway appears to have no such ambition, and (so far) has been equally supportive of the music program as she is of athletics. Appears to be. So far.
It is also significant to note that our football team is far more successful now than they were during Palpatine's rule. The football parents are, I'm guessing, less desperate for public support. Back in our mostly-losing years, the parents tended to complain about everything - the lack of general attendance at the games, the quality of the cheer program, the size of the band (and the lack of uniforms). One parent, suggested to the AD that the school should require students to attend the games (because, you know, forcing someone to do something always generates enthusiasm). Another mom wrote an angry letter to the cheer adviser, telling her that the team was losing because the cheerleaders failed at getting the audience appropriately hyped up (she offered to come in and give the girls a pep talk).
With our current winning streak, the football parents have been (on average) more appreciative of the band presence - that's just a rough estimate based on the number of salutes and pats-on-the-back I get as people leave the stadium at the end of the game.
Early data from the experiment so far:
* Most of the people (staff) at the school who know about my decision don't seem overly concerned. The Athletic Director just shrugged. The only person who gave me grief was the cheer adviser - which is kind of funny because she's missing the game herself due to her own holiday plans (she's sending the girls with a chaperone :-/)
* The band itself is kind of split - some of the kids were happy to get their holiday weekend back, but some really wanted to go.
* As nice as it is that I get more time with my own family, I just might spend a lot of it worrying about the reaction to our absence. I'm trying to beat those thoughts back with the security of knowing
that 1) I have rep to burn 2) Our appearance at the (very likely) following championship game will probably smooth everything out. Probably.
Will let you know how that works out.
Wednesday, November 20, 2013
The Human Connection
Had short, but very deep discussions with two different students today, the kind that breaks down barriers between people and draws direct lines of commonality between souls. I know that may sound.... inappropriate. It wasn't. At least.... I don't think so.
The first one happened when I was giving advice to one of my graduating seniors - a kid who suddenly decided that he wanted to be a music major, even though he is kind of behind on his playing skills. I told him about my own journey - switching majors after three years of college, and having to catch up to my peers after having being only a casual musician. It was hard, but not impossible (and honestly, after all this time, I feel like I'm still 'catching up')
It was in the middle of that story that he caught me off guard - "What made you switch majors?" Being that he's a senior and one of my most trusted, I told him the story. The real one.
"I had a crush on a girl that didn't go well. I made myself miserable, and I blamed it on her... effectively ending the friendship. I kept myself miserable for months until I realized what a jerk I was being, and how pathetic I was for expecting someone else to come rescue me from my own low self esteem. I needed something to lift me up... but it had to come from me. I had to own it."
He looked at me kind of wide eyed. Then he told me how he was recently crushed after a failed attempt at asking a girl to Homecoming... and I was getting the feeling that he was amazed that someone would understand his feelings so completely, despite the age difference.
The bell rang... we both had class to get to.
Exactly one hour later, one of my other students casually asked If I was familiar with a book she was reading. I wasn't. I am embarrassed to admit that I don't remember the title now - but that doesn't matter. What does matter is that in a conversation that lasted less than four minutes, we managed to leap from the subject of the book to the fact that both of us struggle with the agnostic dilemma of facing our mortality without the benefit of belief in the hereafter. It's actually one of the most basic issues that drives my psyche - and it is so terrifying that I rarely discuss it. Not with my closest friends. Not with my wife, even. So how is it that this discussion just popped out as easily as if we were talking about the winter line-up of flavors at Starbucks? I don't know.
Before I could figure it out, the bell rang (again) and (again) we both had places to be.
But now I know that there is a boy who knows what it's like to be a 19-year-old me who just saw the object of his affection lip-locked with another guy, and that there's a girl who knows how scared the six-year-old me felt when he realized that he, like everyone and everything else, would end someday. It comforts me, as I hope it does them.
Teacher, student... the universe eventually washes these labels away. What's left is 'human'... and perhaps the most important thing to know is that we are, in fact not alone.
The first one happened when I was giving advice to one of my graduating seniors - a kid who suddenly decided that he wanted to be a music major, even though he is kind of behind on his playing skills. I told him about my own journey - switching majors after three years of college, and having to catch up to my peers after having being only a casual musician. It was hard, but not impossible (and honestly, after all this time, I feel like I'm still 'catching up')
It was in the middle of that story that he caught me off guard - "What made you switch majors?" Being that he's a senior and one of my most trusted, I told him the story. The real one.
"I had a crush on a girl that didn't go well. I made myself miserable, and I blamed it on her... effectively ending the friendship. I kept myself miserable for months until I realized what a jerk I was being, and how pathetic I was for expecting someone else to come rescue me from my own low self esteem. I needed something to lift me up... but it had to come from me. I had to own it."
He looked at me kind of wide eyed. Then he told me how he was recently crushed after a failed attempt at asking a girl to Homecoming... and I was getting the feeling that he was amazed that someone would understand his feelings so completely, despite the age difference.
The bell rang... we both had class to get to.
Exactly one hour later, one of my other students casually asked If I was familiar with a book she was reading. I wasn't. I am embarrassed to admit that I don't remember the title now - but that doesn't matter. What does matter is that in a conversation that lasted less than four minutes, we managed to leap from the subject of the book to the fact that both of us struggle with the agnostic dilemma of facing our mortality without the benefit of belief in the hereafter. It's actually one of the most basic issues that drives my psyche - and it is so terrifying that I rarely discuss it. Not with my closest friends. Not with my wife, even. So how is it that this discussion just popped out as easily as if we were talking about the winter line-up of flavors at Starbucks? I don't know.
Before I could figure it out, the bell rang (again) and (again) we both had places to be.
But now I know that there is a boy who knows what it's like to be a 19-year-old me who just saw the object of his affection lip-locked with another guy, and that there's a girl who knows how scared the six-year-old me felt when he realized that he, like everyone and everything else, would end someday. It comforts me, as I hope it does them.
Teacher, student... the universe eventually washes these labels away. What's left is 'human'... and perhaps the most important thing to know is that we are, in fact not alone.
Thursday, November 14, 2013
For Whom the Bell Tolls 2013
I just had to submit a rather brutal evaluation for my student teacher. The teacher preparation process is supposed to nurture and prepare tomorrow's educators... but occasionally it has to be the shield that protects schools from people who shouldn't be in the classroom. I fear this year's student teaching arrangement is creeping towards the latter, if not hurtling.
I confess: I wonder if I am the right person to have taken on this apprentice. Her shortcomings would have been better served by someone more organized, methodical... and who is dealing with less educational baggage. (I am, after all, still trying to figure my own shit out.) I'm not taking responsibility for her, and I know I have my strengths (fortunately, they compensate for my weaknesses) But I feel like I'm not giving her much that she can take away and use herself. Maybe that's just my own teacher instinct kicking in: "How could I have helped her more?"
Last year's student teacher worked out better because she didn't 'need' me - she just needed the opportunity to get up and do her thing. I mean, yeah... she had to adjust here and there, and we put in plenty of time in reflection and feedback. But I held her hand far less, and I was never in fear for the integrity of my classroom.
*Sigh*
So yeah... I just filled out the evaluation online, and I hit "send" knowing full well that my current struggling , delicate little flower of a ST will, within seconds, receive an e-mail notifying her of my completion of the task, and that she can review it immediately.
She's taking the day off tomorrow to complete some other credential projects.
Monday will be interesting.
I confess: I wonder if I am the right person to have taken on this apprentice. Her shortcomings would have been better served by someone more organized, methodical... and who is dealing with less educational baggage. (I am, after all, still trying to figure my own shit out.) I'm not taking responsibility for her, and I know I have my strengths (fortunately, they compensate for my weaknesses) But I feel like I'm not giving her much that she can take away and use herself. Maybe that's just my own teacher instinct kicking in: "How could I have helped her more?"
Last year's student teacher worked out better because she didn't 'need' me - she just needed the opportunity to get up and do her thing. I mean, yeah... she had to adjust here and there, and we put in plenty of time in reflection and feedback. But I held her hand far less, and I was never in fear for the integrity of my classroom.
*Sigh*
So yeah... I just filled out the evaluation online, and I hit "send" knowing full well that my current struggling , delicate little flower of a ST will, within seconds, receive an e-mail notifying her of my completion of the task, and that she can review it immediately.
She's taking the day off tomorrow to complete some other credential projects.
Monday will be interesting.
Saturday, November 9, 2013
Bullet Points for November
* I have decided that I like our new boss - she is now officially "Captain Janeway" for this blog.
* Annoying girl in band tried to dismantle her instrument during a recent football game in an attempt to generate an excuse to sit with her non-band friends in the stands instead of with the band. Nice try, kid.
*The following are quotes from... someone I work with
.
#1 Me: Ew... I stepped on a spider. At least it doesn't look like one of the poisonous ones.
?: I didn't know there were different kinds.
#2 Me: Sometimes you have to pick and choose what you share about composers. Might be tricky discussing with middle schoolers whether or not Tchaikovsky was gay.
?: There were gay people back then?
* Annoying girl in band tried to dismantle her instrument during a recent football game in an attempt to generate an excuse to sit with her non-band friends in the stands instead of with the band. Nice try, kid.
*The following are quotes from... someone I work with
.
#1 Me: Ew... I stepped on a spider. At least it doesn't look like one of the poisonous ones.
?: I didn't know there were different kinds.
#2 Me: Sometimes you have to pick and choose what you share about composers. Might be tricky discussing with middle schoolers whether or not Tchaikovsky was gay.
?: There were gay people back then?
Tuesday, November 5, 2013
Dude Looks Like a Lady
So, the transgender issue has officially hit my classroom. Kind of. Well, I'm not sure 'transgender' is the right word. 'Cross-dressing' perhaps. It's all so confusing. Gender/sexual orientation issues are like cable television. We used to have 4 choices.... now there are like 500. I'm not sure the kid is gay, and he doesn't refer to himself as a 'she'. That part doesn't make a difference to me - however he wants to manage that is up to him. The only part that concerns me is that he's taken to wearing feminine attire - and he did it at a recent concert.
I saw this developing over time - I had time to prepare myself. I was also fortunate to have been watching the media, and saw the concerns for transgender students filter through the state administration. And to be honest, I don't know that I care about the basic idea of having a boy dressed like a girl on stage. I mean, yeah... I grew up rather sheltered and socially conservative (not so much religiously) and there's a lot about transwhateverism that I can't really wrap my mind around. And while I'm not narrow-minded enough to reject the issue outright, I do kind of want to roll my eyes at it. In the interests of 'walking the walk' when it comes to tolerance, I let it go. I believe 'tolerance' isn't as much about fully embracing things as it is trying to co-exist peacefully with things you don't 'get'. That, and I actually do like this kid, and want to help him through his difficulties.
There is one issue I have with the kid, though. It isn't so much that he's dressing like a girl - he's dressing to stand out. The skirt he wore on stage was split up to his thigh, and his high heels radiated like white beacons in a sea of black. Now, he's actually a nice kid. He's not disrespectful or troublesome.... in fact he's very quiet and introverted. Fragile, even. But there's something desperate about him... like he needs to get something out into the world - something loud, and he doesn't know how else to do it. That observation isn't just based on his clothing gender preference, there's other evidence too. At more casual department events, he refrains from socializing but uses a small portable audio system to blast music. When he's wearing the group polo shirt for informal performances, he simultaneously wears something else that's bright neon colored (pants or leggings) It seems obvious to me - he's a shy kid screaming at the universe.
I empathize with that, but I also am trying to run a student program that utilizes a uniform. It isn't a control issue on my part. Honest. The thing about a uniform in a musical group is that it equalizes the importance of the members - much the same way a sport uniform does. Distinction comes through performance, not appearance. It's also a way of showing respect to your team members - that you are not using them as a means of comparison to make yourself more important.... that just seems selfish to me.
With that in mind, here's the discussion I'm going to have with him: Wear a skirt, but wear one that meets the school's dress code for girls. Wear the heels, but wear black ones, because that's what's in the concert attire expectations.
I'll let you know how that goes.
I saw this developing over time - I had time to prepare myself. I was also fortunate to have been watching the media, and saw the concerns for transgender students filter through the state administration. And to be honest, I don't know that I care about the basic idea of having a boy dressed like a girl on stage. I mean, yeah... I grew up rather sheltered and socially conservative (not so much religiously) and there's a lot about transwhateverism that I can't really wrap my mind around. And while I'm not narrow-minded enough to reject the issue outright, I do kind of want to roll my eyes at it. In the interests of 'walking the walk' when it comes to tolerance, I let it go. I believe 'tolerance' isn't as much about fully embracing things as it is trying to co-exist peacefully with things you don't 'get'. That, and I actually do like this kid, and want to help him through his difficulties.
There is one issue I have with the kid, though. It isn't so much that he's dressing like a girl - he's dressing to stand out. The skirt he wore on stage was split up to his thigh, and his high heels radiated like white beacons in a sea of black. Now, he's actually a nice kid. He's not disrespectful or troublesome.... in fact he's very quiet and introverted. Fragile, even. But there's something desperate about him... like he needs to get something out into the world - something loud, and he doesn't know how else to do it. That observation isn't just based on his clothing gender preference, there's other evidence too. At more casual department events, he refrains from socializing but uses a small portable audio system to blast music. When he's wearing the group polo shirt for informal performances, he simultaneously wears something else that's bright neon colored (pants or leggings) It seems obvious to me - he's a shy kid screaming at the universe.
I empathize with that, but I also am trying to run a student program that utilizes a uniform. It isn't a control issue on my part. Honest. The thing about a uniform in a musical group is that it equalizes the importance of the members - much the same way a sport uniform does. Distinction comes through performance, not appearance. It's also a way of showing respect to your team members - that you are not using them as a means of comparison to make yourself more important.... that just seems selfish to me.
With that in mind, here's the discussion I'm going to have with him: Wear a skirt, but wear one that meets the school's dress code for girls. Wear the heels, but wear black ones, because that's what's in the concert attire expectations.
I'll let you know how that goes.
Sunday, September 15, 2013
The Dark Knight Teaches
This one is for the new teachers or would-be teachers. Some time ago I wrote a post where I discussed the fears of teaching using the DC character Green Lantern as an analogy.....I'm proud of that one....
Today I would like to discuss one of GL's colleagues - a man known for, among other things, his spectacular brooding capabilities, his endless supply of man toys, and his undaunted conviction that black is always the "new black". That's right, I'm talking about none other that the Dark Knight himself... the Batman.
When it comes to actual super powers, Batsy comes up a little short - like Marvel's Captain America, however, he is touted as possessing some of the most potent human qualities a 'hero' can have - a fact that earns respect and fear from friend and foe alike. When counting his real "powers", people always bring up his physical training, his use of technology, his vast financial resources, and his extraordinary intelligence. But there's another quality the Batman has that keeps him at the top of the Justice League A-List, and makes him a formidable foe for even cosmic-level bad guys: He's always prepared. Like a virus, he gets stronger with every obstacle he overcomes. He approaches every new opponent with not only an arsenal of weapons, but experiences as well, making it that much harder to get the drop on him (having an arch-enemy like the Joker tends to keep you on your toes in that regards).
The hard thing about experience is that you can't get it by any other means than going through the gauntlet - and if you've read Frank Miller's "Batman: Year One," you know that even the caped crusader had to pay his dues. (As my conducting mentor once noted: "Before you get good at anything, you have to suck first.") Like a fledgling hero, the newbie teacher has to learn the basics before they can start making a difference: You have to know your city inside and out. You have to familiarize yourself with the tools available to you. You have to be familiar with the population (the righteous, the wicked and everything in between.)
That part is a no-brainer - everyone knows that. What you don't see is the challenges that your training didn't prepare you for. Bruce Wayne trained himself to fight gangsters, murderers and crooks. A few months into his job, and a new player shows up wearing clown make-up and sporting novelty items that explode and squirt acid... and the whole game changed. He had to change with it. Give him a couple of decades, and he's developed resources and contingency plans for just about anything he can think of... and he can think of a lot. So if the Penguin puts out a hit on Commissioner Gordon, he's got it covered. Riddler goes after the gold in the Gotham Reserve, he's got it covered. Justin Bieber fans invade Gotham Central Park, he's got it covered. To show you how meticulous this man is, he's got a plan to deal with just about anyone in the DC universe... including the heroes (he carries a Kryptonite bullet with him... just in case).
Lastly, Bats had to learn to be his own hero. He wasn't born with Kryptonian DNA, he didn't get super-charged in a chemical bath, nor was he selected to wield the most powerful weapon in the universe in the name of justice. He was formed out of necessity, and tailored his methods to meet Gotham's needs. As a new teacher, I was constantly looking to veteran teachers for... well, more than guidance, actually. I thought there was some kind of secret formula out there that would make me a good teacher. When I didn't find one, I felt kind of bitter... as if there was some secret that everyone was hiding from me. Some of them even laughed when I prodded them for advice... and to be honest, I still think they were kind of being asshats... but in the end I can see why they didn't give me very much. It was because what worked for them wouldn't necessarily work for me
Right now, I have a student teacher clinging to my cape, and I can see the same fear in her eyes that I once had. I want to be able to to give her my mojo... but I can't. When I didn't get the answers I wanted from other people, I dug into my own experiences. I relied on stuff I did as a camp counselor. I developed public speaking methods that heavily relied on humor - which pulled from the years growing up listening to (and imitating) comedy stand up routines. My conducting style is an amalgamation of the great conductors I've worked with.
...My teaching style is my life....
She's going to have a different path. I can help her develop that (hopefully)... but she's going to have to find her own way. And if you're a new teacher reading this... so will you.
Good luck. Keep the city safe.
Why Band Kids are Special
This was a draft that never made it to post back in May when I wrote it - I think it's worth a read.
Pt. I - Hell Freezes Over
So... I'm teaching my band to march. Yeah, really. After years of resisting the pressure from pushy athletic parents and a particularly troublesome principal, I went there. Willingly. It's nothing big, just a little local parade that will last all of 15 minutes. Still, it's a pretty big step for me. Actually, it isn't the first time - we did the parade two years ago, and it was pretty fun. Part of that decision came from the realization that doing marching band doesn't necessarily mean getting caught up in the crazy world of competitive field shows. A parade here, a pep rally there... We can probably make that work, have a little fun and not kill ourselves in the process. But that isn't really what I wanted to blog about.
Pt. II - Band Kids: The Late Bloomers
In the process of preparing for the parade, I asked a marching-proficient friend of mine (Bill) to come in and help us get a simple set of marching commands down. He said something to the group, in response to some mocking sounds we heard coming from behind a fence that separated our band from the PE class that was in session on one of the school's tennis courts... something that kind of got me thinking about the band nerd existence.
When we heard the PE kids start to tease the band, Bill stopped the band in place and gave a little speech about why band people are special:
"What you do is special. Less than 10% of the people out there do what you do. That makes it special. The people who poke fun at you are jealous because they can't do what you do... remember that."
It's a tempting to believe the bit about jealousy, but I disagree. When other kids make fun of band kids, it isn't because they are jealous- it's because they genuinely believe that a kid who voluntarily picks up a clarinet is as deserving of ridicule as a kid who looks or dresses differently. By definition, they are an outcast - and no image-conscious kid would dare be associated with something that would jeopardize their social standing. Telling the kids anything else is rationalizing, and the kids know it.
At the same time, band kids are special. Maybe not the kind of 'special' that Ambercrombie and Fitch CEO Mike Jeffries has in mind... but being willing to forsake general popularity in favor of participating in something that you love makes you special. It takes a certain amount of courage to do that. True, some people might argue that nerds gravitate towards band because they have nowhere else to go, but let me tell you something about my nerdy band friends - none of them ever feigned affection, stabbed me in the back, stopped talking to me for petty reasons, or decided whether or not to invite me to the party based on how my image was holding up that week. That tends to happen in the popular circles. (I could go on about how the value of having the ideal AF image is an invented one, but in the interest of shaving down the post to a reasonable read, I'll forgo that for now.)
But the thing that makes band kids *really* special is the fact that they tend to develop qualities that help make them awesome adults. True, you don't have to be a band kid per-se, but the absence of an image-conscious social structure allows them to build a community of cooperation , trust and acceptance. The other thing is that the very activity that draws them together is far more impressive if and when they carry it into their adult lives. To be sure.... I am WAY more popular now than I was in high school... and for the right reasons.
It's hard to make that promise when you're working with teenagers, though - they can barely see their lives past graduation. Still, I must be doing something right to keep as many kids going in the program as I do. And frankly, I don;t have to wait until they are older to see the payoff - I think they are awesome now.
Pt. I - Hell Freezes Over
So... I'm teaching my band to march. Yeah, really. After years of resisting the pressure from pushy athletic parents and a particularly troublesome principal, I went there. Willingly. It's nothing big, just a little local parade that will last all of 15 minutes. Still, it's a pretty big step for me. Actually, it isn't the first time - we did the parade two years ago, and it was pretty fun. Part of that decision came from the realization that doing marching band doesn't necessarily mean getting caught up in the crazy world of competitive field shows. A parade here, a pep rally there... We can probably make that work, have a little fun and not kill ourselves in the process. But that isn't really what I wanted to blog about.
Pt. II - Band Kids: The Late Bloomers
In the process of preparing for the parade, I asked a marching-proficient friend of mine (Bill) to come in and help us get a simple set of marching commands down. He said something to the group, in response to some mocking sounds we heard coming from behind a fence that separated our band from the PE class that was in session on one of the school's tennis courts... something that kind of got me thinking about the band nerd existence.
When we heard the PE kids start to tease the band, Bill stopped the band in place and gave a little speech about why band people are special:
"What you do is special. Less than 10% of the people out there do what you do. That makes it special. The people who poke fun at you are jealous because they can't do what you do... remember that."
It's a tempting to believe the bit about jealousy, but I disagree. When other kids make fun of band kids, it isn't because they are jealous- it's because they genuinely believe that a kid who voluntarily picks up a clarinet is as deserving of ridicule as a kid who looks or dresses differently. By definition, they are an outcast - and no image-conscious kid would dare be associated with something that would jeopardize their social standing. Telling the kids anything else is rationalizing, and the kids know it.
At the same time, band kids are special. Maybe not the kind of 'special' that Ambercrombie and Fitch CEO Mike Jeffries has in mind... but being willing to forsake general popularity in favor of participating in something that you love makes you special. It takes a certain amount of courage to do that. True, some people might argue that nerds gravitate towards band because they have nowhere else to go, but let me tell you something about my nerdy band friends - none of them ever feigned affection, stabbed me in the back, stopped talking to me for petty reasons, or decided whether or not to invite me to the party based on how my image was holding up that week. That tends to happen in the popular circles. (I could go on about how the value of having the ideal AF image is an invented one, but in the interest of shaving down the post to a reasonable read, I'll forgo that for now.)
But the thing that makes band kids *really* special is the fact that they tend to develop qualities that help make them awesome adults. True, you don't have to be a band kid per-se, but the absence of an image-conscious social structure allows them to build a community of cooperation , trust and acceptance. The other thing is that the very activity that draws them together is far more impressive if and when they carry it into their adult lives. To be sure.... I am WAY more popular now than I was in high school... and for the right reasons.
It's hard to make that promise when you're working with teenagers, though - they can barely see their lives past graduation. Still, I must be doing something right to keep as many kids going in the program as I do. And frankly, I don;t have to wait until they are older to see the payoff - I think they are awesome now.
First Battle - Aftermath
So, continuing the saga from my last post...
Willy the flute player ended up dropping out of my band, so that he could proceed with his membership in the youth orchestra. The only problem is, said youth orchestra has a policy that all enrolled members must also participate in their school programs.
This is pretty standard - all the independent youth groups I know of have a similar policy, because they rely on the school programs to provide players. It's usually in everyone's best interest if we support each other. The director of Willy's orchestra takes his commitment to the school programs pretty seriously. He also happens to be a friend of mine.
Unbeknownst to Willy and his family, I called the director to see if we could cut a deal. It turns out, there was no deal needed - the director insisted that Willy honor his commitment to me before that of the youth group. I informed the director that it could mean that Willy could end up missing as many as nine rehearsals in the next three months. "We'll manage" he said.
So... umm.... problem solved, right?
Only problem is, Willy never came back to band class - his name registered a drop notice on the roll sheet. I mulled over what to do about it - it was my right (and some would probably say my duty) to inform the orchestra director that Willy was no longer eligible for his group. At the same time, I didn't see the benefit of entering into a struggle with this family. It was pretty clear that they didn't value my program very much. Even if he came back, I imagine that we would come to a similar conflict in the future.
I called my friend and left a voice mail. I told him what happened and left it up to him as to whether he wanted to continue letting this kid play for him... but I figured that he should at least know how that went down. The next day he called me back and told me that he wouldn't let Willy continue in his group. To be honest, I'm feeling kind of embarrassed that my friend immediately jumped in with bigger cajones than I did. But then again, he doesn't have to walk across his campus and bump into Willy, nor cross paths with his parents at school events.
In any case, I am deeply appreciative of my friend, the youth orchestra director, and at the same time I'm saddened that my relationship with Willy ended thus. He was actually a nice kid and a decent player. Alas.
Willy the flute player ended up dropping out of my band, so that he could proceed with his membership in the youth orchestra. The only problem is, said youth orchestra has a policy that all enrolled members must also participate in their school programs.
This is pretty standard - all the independent youth groups I know of have a similar policy, because they rely on the school programs to provide players. It's usually in everyone's best interest if we support each other. The director of Willy's orchestra takes his commitment to the school programs pretty seriously. He also happens to be a friend of mine.
Unbeknownst to Willy and his family, I called the director to see if we could cut a deal. It turns out, there was no deal needed - the director insisted that Willy honor his commitment to me before that of the youth group. I informed the director that it could mean that Willy could end up missing as many as nine rehearsals in the next three months. "We'll manage" he said.
So... umm.... problem solved, right?
Only problem is, Willy never came back to band class - his name registered a drop notice on the roll sheet. I mulled over what to do about it - it was my right (and some would probably say my duty) to inform the orchestra director that Willy was no longer eligible for his group. At the same time, I didn't see the benefit of entering into a struggle with this family. It was pretty clear that they didn't value my program very much. Even if he came back, I imagine that we would come to a similar conflict in the future.
I called my friend and left a voice mail. I told him what happened and left it up to him as to whether he wanted to continue letting this kid play for him... but I figured that he should at least know how that went down. The next day he called me back and told me that he wouldn't let Willy continue in his group. To be honest, I'm feeling kind of embarrassed that my friend immediately jumped in with bigger cajones than I did. But then again, he doesn't have to walk across his campus and bump into Willy, nor cross paths with his parents at school events.
In any case, I am deeply appreciative of my friend, the youth orchestra director, and at the same time I'm saddened that my relationship with Willy ended thus. He was actually a nice kid and a decent player. Alas.
Monday, September 2, 2013
First Battle of 2013 / 2014
Incoming e-mail from a returning student's parent. She wants me to know that her son was accepted in an independent youth group, whose rehearsals will conflict with all of our Friday events. She wants assurance that we will work around his schedule and give him opportunities to make up the performance points... for every single Friday event.... of which there may be nine in the first semester alone.
*sigh*
I understand this - the mom wants her kid to be a player in a classical group, not a football pep band. To be honest... so do I...... But in lieu of a real marching band, I have accepted my fate as having a role in the school culture, one that involves at least providing a pep group to produce in-stand entertainment. That keeps our relations with everyone else on campus amicable.
But that's not her problem, it's mine. All she knows is that the NRHS band program is railroading her son into an activity that they are not really interested in, and preventing him from being a part of a group that is much more up his alley.
I'll let you know how this plays out.
*sigh*
I understand this - the mom wants her kid to be a player in a classical group, not a football pep band. To be honest... so do I...... But in lieu of a real marching band, I have accepted my fate as having a role in the school culture, one that involves at least providing a pep group to produce in-stand entertainment. That keeps our relations with everyone else on campus amicable.
But that's not her problem, it's mine. All she knows is that the NRHS band program is railroading her son into an activity that they are not really interested in, and preventing him from being a part of a group that is much more up his alley.
I'll let you know how this plays out.
2013-2014..... I am ready.....
.... or at least, as ready as I'm going to be in the next few days.
This is going to be an interesting year. New principal (again), new people in my department, new student teacher... I'd like to get a new chair for my office too, but that will have to wait.
The new boss is hitting the ground with guns blazing, giving the impression that she's not going to take any prisoners. It smacks of Principal Palpatine from some years ago, except that Palpatine came in with smiles and handshakes... it took a while to see her hands slipping under your shirt to grab your throat from below.
This one... well, if she's a straight shooter, I'll be able to work with her, even if she brings up the whole marching band thing again. I'm prepared this time.
A moment of silence for Principal Leto... He left NRHS rather bruised and beaten, and I wish I could say that he didn't bring it on. In hindsight, the best thing that I can say is that he was a buffer between two aggressive principals - I'm not sure we could have gone straight from Palpatine to.... whatever I'm going to call this one. I'm tempted to call her Captain Janeway, but I have to see more of her leadership.
This is going to be an interesting year. New principal (again), new people in my department, new student teacher... I'd like to get a new chair for my office too, but that will have to wait.
The new boss is hitting the ground with guns blazing, giving the impression that she's not going to take any prisoners. It smacks of Principal Palpatine from some years ago, except that Palpatine came in with smiles and handshakes... it took a while to see her hands slipping under your shirt to grab your throat from below.
This one... well, if she's a straight shooter, I'll be able to work with her, even if she brings up the whole marching band thing again. I'm prepared this time.
A moment of silence for Principal Leto... He left NRHS rather bruised and beaten, and I wish I could say that he didn't bring it on. In hindsight, the best thing that I can say is that he was a buffer between two aggressive principals - I'm not sure we could have gone straight from Palpatine to.... whatever I'm going to call this one. I'm tempted to call her Captain Janeway, but I have to see more of her leadership.
Thursday, June 20, 2013
The BIG win for 2013 :-)
Had a student who looked like Urkel....who also has a name that sounds dangerously close to "Urkel"
Didn't call him "Urkel" once the whole year
not once
booyah
Didn't call him "Urkel" once the whole year
not once
booyah
Saturday, June 15, 2013
Just like everyone else.... But *Special*
Another round of auditions for my advanced choir. The autistic girl who has been trying to get in for four years tried out again... and was rejected again. She's not a bad singer, just not good enough to get in. Given the fact that she's a kid who loves to sing, and she's been a loyal member of my lower choir for years... I'm trying to work out some kind of a compromise.
At the same time, I'm annoyed by the mom who wrote a scathing e-mail to the principal - accusing me of being prejudice and elitist. She's a parent who is upset that her kid didn't make the team... I get that. Really, I do. She can even disagree with me over the quality of her kid's singing.
But to call me elitist? Here's the thing that irks me about that - she would be totally willing to support my elitism if only I would include her kid on the roster. Had I done that, she'd be singing my praises and looking at the other kids who didn't make it and say "Well, you know, not everyone makes the cut, you just have to accept it." It's the very fact that my advanced choir is *selective* that makes it appealing to a lot of people.
I also get that this is as much about social acceptance as it is about singing. Both mom and kid look at my advanced choir - where the girls get special dresses, and there's a strong camaraderie that doesn't quite manifest in the 'lower choir' (mostly because of its size and the fact that it tends to be a bit of a counselor dumping ground)... and they want that. It's not hard to understand. Is it cruel to deny them that? Does the fact that she's autistic make it more cruel in her case than with the scores of other people I've rejected over the years?
The mom says we're required to make accommodations for special needs kids. That's true Mom, we are. By law, we are required to mainstream special needs students into general ed classes, and we are required by law to adjust our instruction to make the curriculum accessible to them. We are not required by law to grant them enrollment in classes that have prerequisites. It's the same principle that keeps your daughter out of Honors English, or AP physics.
I'm not a heartless bastard, Mom - I walked away from that audition knowing that I couldn't give you what you wanted.... and still racking my brains to figure out how I can give her what she needs. That's where I'm going to go with this next year. Sadly, I know it won't be good enough for you.
At the same time, I'm annoyed by the mom who wrote a scathing e-mail to the principal - accusing me of being prejudice and elitist. She's a parent who is upset that her kid didn't make the team... I get that. Really, I do. She can even disagree with me over the quality of her kid's singing.
But to call me elitist? Here's the thing that irks me about that - she would be totally willing to support my elitism if only I would include her kid on the roster. Had I done that, she'd be singing my praises and looking at the other kids who didn't make it and say "Well, you know, not everyone makes the cut, you just have to accept it." It's the very fact that my advanced choir is *selective* that makes it appealing to a lot of people.
I also get that this is as much about social acceptance as it is about singing. Both mom and kid look at my advanced choir - where the girls get special dresses, and there's a strong camaraderie that doesn't quite manifest in the 'lower choir' (mostly because of its size and the fact that it tends to be a bit of a counselor dumping ground)... and they want that. It's not hard to understand. Is it cruel to deny them that? Does the fact that she's autistic make it more cruel in her case than with the scores of other people I've rejected over the years?
The mom says we're required to make accommodations for special needs kids. That's true Mom, we are. By law, we are required to mainstream special needs students into general ed classes, and we are required by law to adjust our instruction to make the curriculum accessible to them. We are not required by law to grant them enrollment in classes that have prerequisites. It's the same principle that keeps your daughter out of Honors English, or AP physics.
I'm not a heartless bastard, Mom - I walked away from that audition knowing that I couldn't give you what you wanted.... and still racking my brains to figure out how I can give her what she needs. That's where I'm going to go with this next year. Sadly, I know it won't be good enough for you.
Thursday, June 13, 2013
Oh... What the Hell...
Wow... wrote this a year ago and never published. The story is old now, but still worth a read, methinks:
So, recent high school graduate Kaitlin Nootbaar from Prague Oklahoma was denied her diploma after having uttered the word "hell" in her valedictorian speech. The quick story : She wanted to quote the character Bella Swan from Twilight (1), who in her own fictional valedictorian speech(2) remarked: (on what to do with her life) "How the hell should I know? I've changed my mind so many times". Apparently, in the version she submitted for approval, "hell" had been substituted with "heck"... somehow on commencement day, the original word magically showed up. (reports are inconsistent as to whether or not it was an accident) Of course, thanks to the internet, this has now become national news - and the freakshow is in full swing.
(It should be noted, Ms. Nootbaar's transcripts have been released to the university she was accepted to, where she will be shortly attending on a full scholarship. Yeah.)
Okay, I'll admit it... I made the message board rounds.... a couple of times...
What annoys me the most about controversies like this is that people think that one side or the other has a monopoly on the moral terpitude: He's an egomaniac tyrant /she's a bastion of free speech - or - he's a champion of decorum/she's a deceptive trouble-maker. Folks, how about the possibility that both sides are drinking from the bad judgement well, albeit with different sized cups?
The people shouting the loudest (3) are the ones who are waving the First Amendment flag... and here's what bugs me about people who shout "Freedom of Speech" - I find them mostly hypocritical. I mean, when you take into account everything that is protected by the First Amendment, you'll find stuff that is offensive to most people. And even if you allow people their right to say some pretty gnarly stuff, I'm pretty sure you sure as hell wouldn't want them to say it at a graduation ceremony. What they are really saying is "I wasn't offended, so you shouldn't be either."
But I'm not talking about Ms. Nootbaar. In fact, to their credit, I haven't heard the Freedom of Speech defense thrown out by the Nootbaar family.... not yet, at least. The father thinks the school's actions are illegal, and he's probably right. It depends on whether or not by "diploma" you mean the status one gains by having fully matriculated through an institution, or the actual physical certificate. They certainly can't (and haven't) denied the former, but being that the latter is an official document, like a marriage license or a birth certificate, they might not have anything to stand on. Then again, universities (and everyone else who wants to know about your education) require transcripts, not diplomas. I don't know, but I have a feeling it's not going to fall in the school's favor. Nor should it.
The First Amendment crowd like to do as much homework as suits their needs. In the ensuing discussions that I have been involved with, people have been dragging up Tinker vs. DeMoines and throwing it on the table, which clearly states that students do not check in their civil rights when they enter school grounds. Unfortunately, they tend to neglect the follow-up cases of Bethel School District vs. Fraser, Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier and Morse v. Frederick which clearly balance the first amendment with a school's "discretion to curtail not only obscene speech, but speech that is vulgar, lewd, indecent or plainly offensive"”
The problem is - define "plainly offensive."
I agree that the word isn't "that bad" - and yet I would have noted upon hearing it that there are likely a few individuals in the crowd who didn't appreciate it. Most people giving public addresses avoid that word... especially if they are selling something. One of my 'adversaries' tried to make the point that young people need to be ready for offensive language in the adult world if they want to survive - siting the famous incident in which Steve Jobs lashed out at an employee with profanity for interrupting a meeting. To this I replied "Yes... and how often did he use profanity when making a public address? How often did he use the word "hell" when presenting the next iDevice? And most importantly - what would he have done to an employee like Ms. Nootbaar, had she been speaking on behalf of Apple, and decided to change an approved speech by one word... especially a word they were specifically trying to avoid?"
As far as the principal is concerned... well, first of all, let me say that I'm not entirely sure the principal is the one to 'blame.' I've seen enough if them operate to know that for every "oppressive" move they make, there are a hundred things behind the scenes pressuring them to do so. I do believe strongly that anyone who did complain about the word "hell" would not have done so publicly. No letters to the editor, no blog posts.... they'll direct their malcontent directly to the people they expect to handle it. If not the principal, to the people who hate bad PR more than colon cancer: the superintendent and/or school board. Principals are under a crap-ton of pressure on a regular basis. People complain about what the kids are wearing. People complain about how they bump and grind at the school dances. They complain about the content of the school plays and music concerts. They complain about what does and does not get published in the school paper and yearbook - it's a constant barrage of unhappiness and bruised egos. I'm not excusing the bad decisions that get made under that kind of pressure, but I do understand that it makes one a little trigger-happy.
Kaitlin Nootbaar is not a bad kid. That she has the tiniest bit of mischief / rebellion in her nature just puts her squarely in the category of being a teenager. It is a quality I would expect to find in others like her. At the same time, I do fault her for trying to slip this one in. An agreement, broken by one word, is still a broken agreement. It caused problems for people she didn't mean to offend, and despite the fact that she feels justified in her stand-off against the school, I bet she regrets that decision. At least I hope she does. I don't want to see her 'punished' - but I hope the teachable moment is not lost on her: When given an opportunity that comes with expectations, don't bite the hand that offers it to you. Even if it's just a nibble.
1) That should be grounds for yanking her diploma, right there.
2) Can anyone give me a reasonable argument as to why Bella Swan isn't the Queen Elizabeth of Mary Sues?
3) ie. using the most ALL-CAPS typing...
So, recent high school graduate Kaitlin Nootbaar from Prague Oklahoma was denied her diploma after having uttered the word "hell" in her valedictorian speech. The quick story : She wanted to quote the character Bella Swan from Twilight (1), who in her own fictional valedictorian speech(2) remarked: (on what to do with her life) "How the hell should I know? I've changed my mind so many times". Apparently, in the version she submitted for approval, "hell" had been substituted with "heck"... somehow on commencement day, the original word magically showed up. (reports are inconsistent as to whether or not it was an accident) Of course, thanks to the internet, this has now become national news - and the freakshow is in full swing.
(It should be noted, Ms. Nootbaar's transcripts have been released to the university she was accepted to, where she will be shortly attending on a full scholarship. Yeah.)
Okay, I'll admit it... I made the message board rounds.... a couple of times...
What annoys me the most about controversies like this is that people think that one side or the other has a monopoly on the moral terpitude: He's an egomaniac tyrant /she's a bastion of free speech - or - he's a champion of decorum/she's a deceptive trouble-maker. Folks, how about the possibility that both sides are drinking from the bad judgement well, albeit with different sized cups?
The people shouting the loudest (3) are the ones who are waving the First Amendment flag... and here's what bugs me about people who shout "Freedom of Speech" - I find them mostly hypocritical. I mean, when you take into account everything that is protected by the First Amendment, you'll find stuff that is offensive to most people. And even if you allow people their right to say some pretty gnarly stuff, I'm pretty sure you sure as hell wouldn't want them to say it at a graduation ceremony. What they are really saying is "I wasn't offended, so you shouldn't be either."
But I'm not talking about Ms. Nootbaar. In fact, to their credit, I haven't heard the Freedom of Speech defense thrown out by the Nootbaar family.... not yet, at least. The father thinks the school's actions are illegal, and he's probably right. It depends on whether or not by "diploma" you mean the status one gains by having fully matriculated through an institution, or the actual physical certificate. They certainly can't (and haven't) denied the former, but being that the latter is an official document, like a marriage license or a birth certificate, they might not have anything to stand on. Then again, universities (and everyone else who wants to know about your education) require transcripts, not diplomas. I don't know, but I have a feeling it's not going to fall in the school's favor. Nor should it.
The First Amendment crowd like to do as much homework as suits their needs. In the ensuing discussions that I have been involved with, people have been dragging up Tinker vs. DeMoines and throwing it on the table, which clearly states that students do not check in their civil rights when they enter school grounds. Unfortunately, they tend to neglect the follow-up cases of Bethel School District vs. Fraser, Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier and Morse v. Frederick which clearly balance the first amendment with a school's "discretion to curtail not only obscene speech, but speech that is vulgar, lewd, indecent or plainly offensive"”
The problem is - define "plainly offensive."
I agree that the word isn't "that bad" - and yet I would have noted upon hearing it that there are likely a few individuals in the crowd who didn't appreciate it. Most people giving public addresses avoid that word... especially if they are selling something. One of my 'adversaries' tried to make the point that young people need to be ready for offensive language in the adult world if they want to survive - siting the famous incident in which Steve Jobs lashed out at an employee with profanity for interrupting a meeting. To this I replied "Yes... and how often did he use profanity when making a public address? How often did he use the word "hell" when presenting the next iDevice? And most importantly - what would he have done to an employee like Ms. Nootbaar, had she been speaking on behalf of Apple, and decided to change an approved speech by one word... especially a word they were specifically trying to avoid?"
As far as the principal is concerned... well, first of all, let me say that I'm not entirely sure the principal is the one to 'blame.' I've seen enough if them operate to know that for every "oppressive" move they make, there are a hundred things behind the scenes pressuring them to do so. I do believe strongly that anyone who did complain about the word "hell" would not have done so publicly. No letters to the editor, no blog posts.... they'll direct their malcontent directly to the people they expect to handle it. If not the principal, to the people who hate bad PR more than colon cancer: the superintendent and/or school board. Principals are under a crap-ton of pressure on a regular basis. People complain about what the kids are wearing. People complain about how they bump and grind at the school dances. They complain about the content of the school plays and music concerts. They complain about what does and does not get published in the school paper and yearbook - it's a constant barrage of unhappiness and bruised egos. I'm not excusing the bad decisions that get made under that kind of pressure, but I do understand that it makes one a little trigger-happy.
Kaitlin Nootbaar is not a bad kid. That she has the tiniest bit of mischief / rebellion in her nature just puts her squarely in the category of being a teenager. It is a quality I would expect to find in others like her. At the same time, I do fault her for trying to slip this one in. An agreement, broken by one word, is still a broken agreement. It caused problems for people she didn't mean to offend, and despite the fact that she feels justified in her stand-off against the school, I bet she regrets that decision. At least I hope she does. I don't want to see her 'punished' - but I hope the teachable moment is not lost on her: When given an opportunity that comes with expectations, don't bite the hand that offers it to you. Even if it's just a nibble.
1) That should be grounds for yanking her diploma, right there.
2) Can anyone give me a reasonable argument as to why Bella Swan isn't the Queen Elizabeth of Mary Sues?
3) ie. using the most ALL-CAPS typing...
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
Yes, I cry during Disney movies, too...
I admit it, my heart strings dangle conveniently for every songwriter and film director to tug at as they see fit. I just got finished watching "Rise of the Guardians" by Dreamworks. On the surface, it's your standard protagonist-goes-on-journey-of-self-discovery-and-finds-his-place-in-the-world kind of flick. Did I buy into it, hook, line and sinker? Yes.... yes I did.
Without giving away too much, I will say that part of the movie involves 'finding your center' - the thing that drives your purpose and ultimately, your decisions and actions. That bit crashed through my "Oh, it's just a cute movie for kids" defenses without much resistance - especially since the Santa character was basically talking about ME when he was talking about HIS 'center'
So I'll cut to the chase - I have to stop pretending that I want to be a competitive music teacher. The world seems to want me to want to be a competitive music teacher - to add the words "award-winning" to the NRHS Music Dept. Banner. But the truth is, that's not my 'center'. Every time I think about it, I get depressed and have serious feelings of inadequacy. All of my friends who are competitive music teachers are good at it..... and they ARE good teachers. Their students feel a sense of pride and purpose, and I envy the drive and commitment that those teachers inspire.
But that's not me. My center has always been my sense of wonder - the thing that hooks onto a piece of music and whisks me away to where it wants to take me, and I go along as a wide-eyed child. That's the experience I want to pass along to my students. Every time I stay true to that, I do well, every time I stray from that (which is often) I don't.
So like every other Disney/Dreamworks cliche'... I need to stop pretending I'm something I'm not, and drive home the advantage of being who and what I am, because obviously I am appreciated for it.
Roll credits.
Without giving away too much, I will say that part of the movie involves 'finding your center' - the thing that drives your purpose and ultimately, your decisions and actions. That bit crashed through my "Oh, it's just a cute movie for kids" defenses without much resistance - especially since the Santa character was basically talking about ME when he was talking about HIS 'center'
So I'll cut to the chase - I have to stop pretending that I want to be a competitive music teacher. The world seems to want me to want to be a competitive music teacher - to add the words "award-winning" to the NRHS Music Dept. Banner. But the truth is, that's not my 'center'. Every time I think about it, I get depressed and have serious feelings of inadequacy. All of my friends who are competitive music teachers are good at it..... and they ARE good teachers. Their students feel a sense of pride and purpose, and I envy the drive and commitment that those teachers inspire.
But that's not me. My center has always been my sense of wonder - the thing that hooks onto a piece of music and whisks me away to where it wants to take me, and I go along as a wide-eyed child. That's the experience I want to pass along to my students. Every time I stay true to that, I do well, every time I stray from that (which is often) I don't.
So like every other Disney/Dreamworks cliche'... I need to stop pretending I'm something I'm not, and drive home the advantage of being who and what I am, because obviously I am appreciated for it.
Roll credits.
Thursday, April 4, 2013
A short, open letter to God from an agnostic....
Dear God,
Hi, how's it going? I know I don't talk to you very much. I try not to ask for too many favors, especially since I haven't signed on for a full membership. I know how annoying a free-loader can be. Anyway, I just wanted you to know that if I ever turn into the kind of parent who would try cover up my son's mistakes - you have my permission to smite me. Well, you don't really need my permission.... but I just want you to know that I wouldn't hold it against you. Thank you, that's all.
Maestro
*************************************************************
This is not in response to the parent meeting that I had last week (Sorry, I was supposed to keep you all updated). That meeting went well. Really well, in fact. Everyone went away happy. Nuff said.
Nope, this is an entirely different kid, who (along with a friend) skipped my class yesterday. I found it kind of suspicious so I checked - no other teachers had marked them absent. But apparently, mom called the office and tried to tell them that I had made a mistake, and that he was in class.... except that obviously he wasn't.
*sigh*
Probably not smite-worthy. Maybe a little bit - a holy palm print on the forehead. That would do.
Hi, how's it going? I know I don't talk to you very much. I try not to ask for too many favors, especially since I haven't signed on for a full membership. I know how annoying a free-loader can be. Anyway, I just wanted you to know that if I ever turn into the kind of parent who would try cover up my son's mistakes - you have my permission to smite me. Well, you don't really need my permission.... but I just want you to know that I wouldn't hold it against you. Thank you, that's all.
Maestro
*************************************************************
This is not in response to the parent meeting that I had last week (Sorry, I was supposed to keep you all updated). That meeting went well. Really well, in fact. Everyone went away happy. Nuff said.
Nope, this is an entirely different kid, who (along with a friend) skipped my class yesterday. I found it kind of suspicious so I checked - no other teachers had marked them absent. But apparently, mom called the office and tried to tell them that I had made a mistake, and that he was in class.... except that obviously he wasn't.
*sigh*
Probably not smite-worthy. Maybe a little bit - a holy palm print on the forehead. That would do.
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Ask not for whom...
...the the demand for a parent-teacher meeting tolls... it tolls for ME.
So... I'm supposed to have a meeting with the parent who is accusing me of bullying her child. The counselor called it, mostly because she can't believe that I'm capable of doing anything like that. She thinks that we can probably work it all out.
Maybe.
I'm not worried - I'm prepared. I've got documentation and grades on my side. My student teacher, who was also present during all of the class sessions, will also be in attendance.
But more than anything else - somehow it just feels appropriate that I get challenged once in a while. It keeps me on my toes, it keeps me asking the right questions about myself and my teaching, and it helps me deal with possible future parent complaints, regardless of whether or not they are valid.
Of course, I'm saying all this without knowing whether or not angry parent is lining up a lawyer... that has been known to happen in this town.
I'll check in with y'all on the other side.
So... I'm supposed to have a meeting with the parent who is accusing me of bullying her child. The counselor called it, mostly because she can't believe that I'm capable of doing anything like that. She thinks that we can probably work it all out.
Maybe.
I'm not worried - I'm prepared. I've got documentation and grades on my side. My student teacher, who was also present during all of the class sessions, will also be in attendance.
But more than anything else - somehow it just feels appropriate that I get challenged once in a while. It keeps me on my toes, it keeps me asking the right questions about myself and my teaching, and it helps me deal with possible future parent complaints, regardless of whether or not they are valid.
Of course, I'm saying all this without knowing whether or not angry parent is lining up a lawyer... that has been known to happen in this town.
I'll check in with y'all on the other side.
Saturday, March 23, 2013
If by "bullying" you mean...
...holding your child accountable for their behavior and lack of participation, then yes, I did that. The formal complaint to the administrator, by the way was "Mr. Maestro uses his position of authority to bully my child"
I'm not losing sleep over it, although it is hanging on my consciousness more than I would like it to. Fortunately, the assistant principal has my back on this. He's even trying to get the kid into another class, which is fine with me because it's is apparent that he never wanted to be in beginning band in the first place. Electives, I believe, should be elected - ultimately that is an issue with counseling and the fact that Former Principal Palpatine axed a chunk of our electives to make way for more honors and AP classes.
The interesting thing about this particular case, however, is the fact that I've been using this student as a sort of guinea-pig for testing out new approaches to difficult students. Up until a few years ago - this particular mother might have had a point. I had a bully mode that I could kick into high gear when I wanted to. The fact that the kids who were on the receiving end of that deserved it is irrelevant - I have re-evaluated and my methods to align with my philosophy as it has evolved over time. I never liked 'hulking out' on my students. Rather than establishing authority, it just felt like losing control, and ultimately respect. At the same time, however, you can't let students walk all over you... so what to do, what to do...
This year (and with this kid in particular) I've adopted an attitude of engaging the student every day in a positive manner, but letting them experience the consequences for their decisions. As much as possible, I try to handle disciplinary situations privately. No threats. No yelling. No intimidation of any kind... and I've been holding to it. I feel good about it.
So, I'm not going to worry too much about this student or his mom... If I'm lucky, he'll be gone in a little while, anyway. I also have a student teacher and two trusted TAs who have witnessed my daily struggles with this kid - so that helps.
...ah... but then there's still the presence of his three friends who behave exactly the same way... *sigh*
I'm not losing sleep over it, although it is hanging on my consciousness more than I would like it to. Fortunately, the assistant principal has my back on this. He's even trying to get the kid into another class, which is fine with me because it's is apparent that he never wanted to be in beginning band in the first place. Electives, I believe, should be elected - ultimately that is an issue with counseling and the fact that Former Principal Palpatine axed a chunk of our electives to make way for more honors and AP classes.
The interesting thing about this particular case, however, is the fact that I've been using this student as a sort of guinea-pig for testing out new approaches to difficult students. Up until a few years ago - this particular mother might have had a point. I had a bully mode that I could kick into high gear when I wanted to. The fact that the kids who were on the receiving end of that deserved it is irrelevant - I have re-evaluated and my methods to align with my philosophy as it has evolved over time. I never liked 'hulking out' on my students. Rather than establishing authority, it just felt like losing control, and ultimately respect. At the same time, however, you can't let students walk all over you... so what to do, what to do...
This year (and with this kid in particular) I've adopted an attitude of engaging the student every day in a positive manner, but letting them experience the consequences for their decisions. As much as possible, I try to handle disciplinary situations privately. No threats. No yelling. No intimidation of any kind... and I've been holding to it. I feel good about it.
So, I'm not going to worry too much about this student or his mom... If I'm lucky, he'll be gone in a little while, anyway. I also have a student teacher and two trusted TAs who have witnessed my daily struggles with this kid - so that helps.
...ah... but then there's still the presence of his three friends who behave exactly the same way... *sigh*
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