comprehensive musicianship through performance
Planning for Joy: You Should Try It Therese Josephson, CMP Committee Member
Let me tell you something that you already know. Teaching is hard! And for a multitude of reasons, I’d ar- gue that it’s getting harder every year. So, why are we still here?
I can’t speak for anyone else, but I can honestly say that I truly still love my job. It’s a hard job, though, and I don’t love every day. When things get particularly dif- ficult, I have to work not to get sucked into negativity. Here are three ways that I work to intentionally create joy in my classroom:
1. No “Shoulding” on Anyone
It’s so easy to get sucked in, isn’t it? “They should just…” “They should already know…" “The principal should…” “I shouldn’t have to…”
This gets us nowhere, though. I remember seeing a quote on social media a few years
ago. Its essence was a teacher at the start of the year thinking about her students and saying, “Ah. This is where you are. What a wonderful place to begin.”
The last few years have been full of the should narrative. “Students are behind,” and “Lost learning.” I try, however, to focus on where the kids are, and what we can do next. Then, it doesn’t matter if the eighth graders are learning a skill or play- ing a piece that I’ve historically taught to seventh graders. Or that the sixth graders seem to be moving more slowly than any I’ve ever taught. When I focus on teaching these kids what they need right now, I can find joy in their learning and their progress.
2. Plan!
When things are hard, especially when I have a particularly tough class, my instinct is to spend less time planning for them. “They’re not going to pay attention any- way, why should I spend the time creating a strong lesson plan?”
That, strangely, never makes things go
“For me, the best planning comes when I’m thinking about the five points of the CMP Model.”
better. When I remember this and put in the time and effort to plan well, I give myself a chance at joy, even in those tough classes.
For me, the best planning comes when I’m thinking about the five points of the CMP Model.
Music Selection: I remember the first time I programmed a Mexican Folk Song in seventh grade orchestra. Some of the kids engaged in class in ways that I’d never seen them do before. And the reaction from their parents at the concert was unreal. I had (and still have) a lot to learn, but it was my first
Recognition for Teachers With 25 Years of Service
• Were you a first-year teacher in 1998 or prior to 1998? • Have you taught for 25 years (or more)? • Have you been an NAfME member for at least 10 of those years?
If the answer is yes to all of these questions and we haven’t previously honored you, then now is the time. WMEA is planning to recognize teachers with 25 or more years of service in Wisconsin State Music Conference materials and the September issue of Wisconsin School Musician.
Simply complete the 25 Years of Service form at
https://wmeamusic.org/awards/25-years-of-service. Submissions must be received by June 1, 2023.
28 January 2023
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