30 Day Writing Challenge: Day Two

Day Two: Something You Feel Strongly About

It took me forever to think about something I felt super strongly about untillll. . .

I went back to school (teacher-style)!

Everyone who reads this knows that I am now working as the music teacher at an elementary school, (oh hey mommm) and it wasn't until I was surrounded by kids all the time that I had an epiphany--
I feel strongly about what I do.

Let me start out by saying that I in no way consider myself to be the-most-fantastic-music-teacher-to-have-ever-graced-this-planet. I think I teach like the first year teacher that I am. I think I am inexperienced, naive, and probably lacking in classroom management. That being said, I think I have one thing going for me: I honestly like working with children.

I am going to say something that I feel strongly about and I apologize if it offends anyone, BUT I do not think you should be a teacher unless you love kids. I think many women chose to teach because it is a "family-friendly" job that allows them to work a similar schedule as their kids. I think many of those people find themselves in a pickle when they realize they don't like to be surrounded by other people's children 7 hours a day, 5 days a week.

Well, boo.

What I have to say to those teachers that constantly complain about their students is this: If you hate being there with your students, imagine how they feel having to put up with you!

I am grateful to be working at a school where (I believe) every single teacher (and administrator) I have met really shows love to their students.

Continuing my soapbox speech, there is one other teaching-thing I feel strongly about:
Kids are not hatched with the ability to sit stoically and remain silent for seven hours a day.

I do believe kids can be taught (and should understand and practice) respect to each other and their teachers. Does respectful behavior mean they will be required to listen silently to their teacher to receive instruction? YES! Do I think students should be yelling in the classroom? No!

But there is a reason for the saying "kids will be kids."

I am 100% lucky to be a music teacher.

I am SO lucky. I see every kid (except the 5th graders, sadly) in my school for 30 minutes each week. Only 30 minutes! I come in with activities that are exciting (at least, I think they are!) and will keep kids engaged. I mean, c'mon, music is fun!!
Although a million percent biased, I think music is the most fun subject out there. You can integrate every subject into music and find music in everything around you! Combine that with the fact that I teach at an incredibly fast pace in order to fit as much music into 30 minutes as I can, and you have the whirlwind half hour that is my music class.

I do activities that get the kids (especially the little ones) up and moving.
Sometimes we get a little crazy. And you know what? I like it!
Do I make sure my kids are silent when I am giving instruction? You bet ya!

I am saying this because, although totally imperfect, I have been totally shocked when (while subbing) a student comes up and tells me it is too loud when I have students working in partners and groups, and they are conversing at more than a whisper. What!?

I do not have the teaching experience to really expound on this, nor the mental capacity to research why it happens or how often, but, man, that gets me. Kids thinking the 7 hours of school (minus lunch and recess) need to be trudged through with whispers.

Usually kids that are animated kids are excited kids!
School should be fun. Let's make it that way!