President’s Message Face the Music . . . Embrace the Music Lila Kennah A WMEA President Elect
s I sit down to write this article, it is the beginning of August and what comes immediately to mind as I ponder on the phrase, “face the music,” is that I’d better face up to the fact that summer is winding
down and it is time to face the reality that school will soon be in session. Here in the northeast corner of Wyoming, we start school on August 20. For me personally, the big event that signifies the end of summer is the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. We are not rally-goers, but only being 70 or so miles from Sturgis – the rally comes to us! I lament the projects not done, the fishing trips not taken, the baseball games not attended and wonder why and how did the summer go by so quickly? And I wish for more time off, which, of course, isn’t realistic.
Face the music . . . what if, rather than wish for more time off, I “embrace the music,” and switch up the mind set a little? After all, it’s all about attitude, right?
This coming school year, I am committing to embracing it all. So many things change from year to year that can either make or break a school year. A change in administration, a change in teaching assignment, a change in grade level, a change in class schedule – all changes that can leave us feeling nervous and anxious about the upcoming year. What if we embraced those changes??
This year, I will embrace my new colleagues. Taking the time to reach out to the new staff members sends a message to the entire building that music teachers are team players. It gives us the opportunity to perhaps mentor a brand-new teacher or
6 learn a couple of tricks from a veteran one.
This year, I will embrace my new class schedule. Here in Crook County, we have adopted a four-day week schedule. I started my career 29 years ago, in Big Horn, on a four-day week, where I taught for 5 years, but I haven’t taught in one since. I am spending some time brainstorming how a four-day schedule can benefit my program.
and leaders in my ensembles. Graduation last year took an enormous toll on my groups – anyone who has ever “rebuilt” after a strong senior class graduates knows that this is a challenge in and of itself. However, this is a perfect opportunity for new leaders to emerge and take on important roles as they grow not only as musicians, but as team players.
This year, I will embrace my new (old) teaching assignments. Each year in a small school brings changes to our teaching assignments as we cover all the necessities with our small staff. Sometimes this means combination classes – K-1, 2-3 – and sometimes it means additional sponsorship duties and new courses to teach. Each of these changes forces me out of my comfort zone a bit and stretches my teaching styles and skills.
This year, I will embrace my administration and focus on music advocacy in our building and community. I have seen many small school music programs disappear in the past 15 years or so. This saddens me greatly, and I am fiercely determined to keep our program here in Hulett strong. Teaching in a K-12 building of approximately 150 students brings unique challenges to my day, but I love my school and my community, and I wouldn’t want to teach anywhere else.
This year, I will embrace my new seniors
This year, I will embrace the fact that after almost a ten-year hiatus in the private sector, my husband has decided to go back into the classroom. I will appreciate being on a similar schedule and enjoy the extra family time this affords us.
This year, I will embrace (begrudgingly), the adjustment of driving to school for the first time in 13 years without my daughter, as she heads off to college. Nope. Can’t even put a positive twist on that one. While I’m proud of her and excited for what is in store for her, I’m just going to have to face it.
Continued on Page 11 Wyoming Windsong
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