Clinic with Doug Orzolek
Teachout made some announcements
-Fall collegiate conference will be held on Oct. 18 & 19 at the Perpich Center
-meet future colleagues
-learn from current educators
-Libby Larsen and Jeff Kimpton are the keynote speakers-they'll make you think outside the box!
-there will also be 9 other clinicians
Teacher "Burnout"
-we need to talk about us-what ahppens when you leave school?-statistically after 5 yeras we may not survive
Topic: Balance
-find a way to balance between all parts of our lives
-university is a microcosm for what happens in real life
-Prof. Orzolek read a poem about balance-Music is the balance of life.
-young teachers end up burnt because they haven't thought about it-it's ok to do stuff outside the
profession.
-outlook changes in Grad School
-start observing how teachers teach you, not concentrating on gettings A's
We're learning how to teach students, not how to deal w/administration, budget, boosters, funding, confidence, getting support, etc...
-this is what causes burn out, dealing with stuff
-Josh Anderson (U of M baseball coach) wrote a book about keeping coaches
---lots of parallels, just replace the word baseball with music and it applies
Tons of Research on the subject-look at handouts
Time to Ask the Tough Questions
What does it mean to be a music teacher?
What are the dreams, hopes, and fears of music teachers? Great performances-not 'gonna happen for a while
How do music teachers maintain a sense of calling when faced with disillusionment? Go back to the Big Picture-sharing love is more important than anything
Why do teachers receive so little status in the schools? Parents who respect education support teachers, and pass this to their kids. Some do not.
Are teachers valued? Yes
Are teachers happy with their career? Yes
Do they have regreats? No, most don't
Do they think they make a significant contribution to the lives of their students? Every day in more ways than imaginable
Are the problems and frustrations balanced by the emotional and professional rewards?
Not having balance while at university may not be all your fault.---your teachers may not have the balance they need either/
Comprehensive Musicianship-just conducting isn't enough anymore
-how much do we participate in ensembles/courses?
-Do you suck it in, or are you involved?
-Students and teachers need to be active in learning-who's learning when student's aren't talking
-Balance approach is the trend
Try and Hang out with Smart People
-structure your life with the BIG 5 (in order): family, friends and faith, helath, job
-"I loved my job at Jefferson, but I wasn't getting home to my 1 year old."
-took job at St. Thomas to have more time @ home
-created balance-better teacher, better father, better husband
-Making choices is a big deal
-read Tuesday's with Morrie (it's a 2 hours read)-it's about the meaning of life
Get a Mentor
-call them for advice and for everything
-Grandfather was first mentor
Get Good Colleagues
-get involved in the profession, it's valuable to have good people to share with
Learn to say No-If you don't have time, that's ok.
Go to Professional Development Workshops
Ask Questions-find out why
Use your Free time Wisely-don't watch TV (except Mr. Rogers)
-get away from school and music
-care for your soul
Hold Other People Accountable
-it's their group too, get them involved
-students learn from involvement and responsibility-they gain leadership skills
Don't take things home
Don't feel guilty
-be efficient (get stuff done) and be organized.
Be realistic
-you won't do Beethoven's 5th your first year of teaching, or maybe not ever
Be positive
-don't expect the pat on the back, you won't get it
Laugh
You're teaching people, not Music-they have good and bad days too
LOVE MUSIC-that's all students need to know about you
There's no Sin in being Sincere
-don't hem and haw and be nice and gentle-BE HONEST-you'll sleep better at night
Devote Yourself to Lifelong Learning
It's great to be a teacher and hear back from past students
*Assignment*
send a letter to a teacher who influenced you, tomorrow
Don't forget that music ed is about Music and Kids
Successs is different for different people
We went over the packet
Don't believe in "Burnout" only lack of Balance
Question and Answer period