4 Things to Keep in Mind as You Fall Into the School Year Routine

This is the time of year when our rooms are ready, rules are established, and our students are starting to feel comfortable with some amount of routine. Dates are probably submitted (or getting close to being finalized), and it’s time to get mentally ready for after-school rehearsals, extra meetings, and advocacy items (that we all wish were automatically happening). With all of this going on, life can start to get a little overwhelming and the true purpose of our classrooms can get overshadowed by mundane duty-related items.

1. Find the Joy on a Daily Basis

So, let’s take a moment to set all of that aside, and breathe into the truth. There is joy to be found in what we do on a daily basis. Admit to yourself that whether you know it or not, your work matters! Your time with children matters, your attitude matters, and your contribution is not only at the school level. Society at large benefits from your work, both with children and with music. Music is innately human, and as such, has an automatic bond with all beings who you may come into contact with today. Is there anything more special than that? I hesitate to think of what it could be. Your music room is the cultural hub of your school, and as such, is the cultural hub of the United States elementary population.

2. Let it Be, and Have Fun

Let our classrooms be a respite from demanding and pushy curriculums that push children past their developmental level. Let the children be children. Let yourself be yourself. And, together, let us play! Truly. Play. Get out the puppets to tell a story (and have fun with it). Sing, just for the joy of singing. Get out the parachute, scarves, and manipulatives, not only because they teach concepts, but because in the moment that those concepts are being learned, there is also joy. Use your best games with the children, not only because they teach your next concept, but because they are fun.

3. Plan Ahead, Stay Present

Yes—spend your time planning. Yes—make sure your children read music. Yes—help them perform at an awesomely high level. And, also (and more importantly), take the time to notice when your students light up with smiles and laughter. Just notice how sweet their faces are when they smile. Take the time to be in the moment with them. Make an effort to be imaginative and allow the children to create.

4. Remember the True Value of Your Work

Also, you should know that they take music with them everywhere. Once class is out for the day, you might notice your students skipping and singing, because that’s what they naturally do. Realize that they are going home and sharing songs with their families and siblings, they are singing in after-care, they are playing music room games out on the playground. Notice the cultural impact of high-quality music education, and the joy that it taps into. This is the true value and purpose of our work.

So, as we take a moment to create a place of peace, joy, and happiness in which our work can reside, I dare you to maybe even put your “adult cap” away during a few moments with your children. Allow yourself to lean into those parts of the day that are truly worthy of your attention. Put the responsibility of it all away just long enough to trade for a more playful and happy demeanor. This is the solution for keeping a full heart. I promise your year will be beautiful and meaningful if you musically focus with your students, while also holding yourself to be the valuable and important culture-bearer that you are.