Music Educators' Advice for First-Year Teachers (Part 2)

Whether you're newly directing an ensemble at a school, teaching general music in a classroom, or starting to build a roster of private students, you likely have a lot of questions during your first year on the job. We recently asked our community of music educators to reflect on their first year of teaching and to share one piece of advice to current and future first-year music teachers. Here's more of what they had to say:

• Be patient, but goal oriented. You make the most progress when you are moving from student success to student success—even if it is only by small steps.
• The best way to improve students' sight-reading skills is to allow time at their lesson to have them sight read each new song you are assigning for the week, so you can monitor how well and how quickly they can identify their notes. Don't play the songs for them because students that have good ears and the ability to memorize quickly will just copy your playing instead of reading the notes for themselves.
• Don't undervalue your worth! You are the expert. Your training and education are worthy of a living wage.
• Remember that not everyone is the next Mozart. Teach everyone, even the ones that don't progress as fast. The lessons we teach reach far beyond music.
• Theory, theory, theory! It make for better musicians! I know time is precious in lessons, but even five minutes at the end of the lesson and a couple of pages of theory assignments to complete at home improves everything else we do!
• Find out what the student's motivation is. Is the student wanting lessons? Are the parents or grandparents wanting the lessons? How much and what kind of music has the student experienced?
• Treat yourself well, especially on the most challenging and committed days.
• Build relationships with your students, building personnel, staff, colleagues, and parents! Get involved in your school community. Chaperone the dances, go out of your way to be a part of the life of your school. Plan, prep, and present lessons with passion!
• Be organized. Have a routine for your kids to come into and leave class; regular seating arrangements. Be consistent.
• Be patient. There is so much to learn about methodology, the kids and their needs, and about you as a teacher. Much will change in you and around you, but keep the focus on inspiring the kids to strive to be better everyday. That will keep you fresh as a teacher and sane as a person. I am still learning after 22 years. How cool is that?

What's your best piece of advice for first-year music teachers? Share with us in the comments below!