Choir VP’s Message In it Together ... Balance and Perspective Anne Schatz WMEA Choir Vice President S
ometimes being a music teacher can feel like a lonely experience. Whether you are in a rural setting (like me) as the only music teacher
for many grades, or in a larger district with multiple teachers, we may sometimes feel isolated, unappreciated, and misunderstood by others.
It can be challenging to remember how we as individuals fit into a larger community and are part of a picture greater than we perceive.
The idea of being “in it together” was evident to me this past summer as I traveled to my hometown for a unique opportunity to reconnect with all five of my siblings who are spread out across the United States. I rarely get to see some of them and their families, but all of us coming together for a week was a treat (and challenge) that reminded me of this balance of being a unique individual as well as part of a grander picture.
Chief Seattle (1786–1866), of the Suquamish and Duwamish tribes in the northwest US, is celebrated for his speech regarding this very connection:
This we know: all things are connected like the blood that unites one family... Whatever befalls the earth, befalls the sons and daughters of the earth. Man did not weave the web of life; he is merely a strand in it. Whatever he does to the web, he does to himself.
In many of our school families we also have to work hard to connect and make sure that our music programs are an essential member of the family. We are not the lonely strand in the web, and as we support those around us, it makes a stronger organization as a whole. Unfortunately it’s never as easy as one person just deciding to work together with others.
It was within a few days with my family that I started to remember the list of things that annoy me. We have different beliefs, diets, parenting styles, ways of showing love, and ways of dealing with frustration. The list is literally endless. It took conscious work for me to approach differences with love and, more importantly, respect. I feel fortunate that my siblings were equally respectful of the challenges they must have felt as well. Ultimately we were there to continue to build relationships and help our parents. Sure, there will always be conflict in communities of all types but with a common goal, a little foresight, and a plan to work through those moments, they become smaller obstacles.
We are all connected to others like the web in Chief Seattle’s speech. No one strand is effective alone. So as we continue to build our communities - in our families, our schools, our town, our state, or within our profession - remember that we are building together. I hope you have a great school year and thank you for all you add to our WMEA family.
Anne Schatz is in her fifth year of teaching junior high and high school choir and 5-12 band in Burns, WY. She is a member of NAfME and ACDA and was invited to be a guest panelist for new and upcoming teachers for Northwest ACDA in Seattle last year. She has enjoyed being a guest conductor for the northeast junior high choir clinic in 2013 and continues to fine tune her conducting and teaching
workshops and graduate courses. Anne received her Bachelors of Music Education and Masters of Music in Vocal Performance from the University of Wyoming.
Teaching Tips Featured on NAfME’s My Music Class!
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Teaching Tips Featured on NAfME’s My Music Class!
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• Designing Effective Rehearsals
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• Your First Day of Class
• Designing Effective Rehearsals
• Creating a Student Handbook
Visit
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• Developing a Relationship with Administration
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Here are some examples:
• Developing a Relationship with Administration
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