Well folks, here it is two weeks after that last post (but it feels like six). Yes, it's "that time of year" and, well...I just didn't get to it last week. So sue me.
I felt it appropriate to follow up on that last post since it seemed to strike a chord with many. So here goes...
The first week back at work was rough. Believe me, if you're told "you should take two weeks" don't play superhero if you can avoid it. I consider myself a "trooper" but I was quite floored that first week back - even though there were two days that I only taught half a day. That being said, I survived it. AND...after much fret from my hospital bed about how my Music Memory team would perform at our final meet on Saturday, Dec. 9, I am proud to say they pulled through. Not only did they pull through, but in a big way! My fifth grade team took first place, and one of those students placed first as an individual. The other team members all placed. My one and only third grader not only took first place, but the judges were in shock - he had an absolutely PERFECT paper! (there's that word again)
I only called one "extra" rehearsal (to make up for the one I missed while in the hospital the previous week) to prepare my students for their winter musical. Fortunately (or maybe unfortunately, who knows) my principal decided that we should NOT have any in-school performances due to the number of disruptions already existing in the daily schedule. I didn't argue. I usually like to have in-school performances on the day of the show because it gives us a great dress rehearsal complete with an audience. At one point during a rehearsal less than one week from the production date and after yet another lead speaking part dropped out, one of my assisting coworkers said to me, "You must be heavily medicated." I asked why and she said, "If that was me running that rehearsal, I would have been a screaming lunatic - you have tremendous restraint!" I explained to her that me ranting and throwing a tantrum would have accomplished one thing: to make ME more upset. It wouldn't have made things any better, and it certainly wouldn't have helped the kids. I had totally resigned myself to just getting through this performance. I had made up my mind that it would be one of the absolute WORST performances I would ever lead in my entire career. But...I was just going to have to deal with it and hope the audience wouldn't be the wiser.
I'm here to report that I was absolutely, 100% WRONG about that! The evening of the performance arrived. I had the usual amount of absentees (I'm used to that) and one lead part that had decided not to come to school that day was among them. The students were in a panic. I told them not to be concerned with anyone else and just perform their own parts to the best of their ability. I read his part from my director's seat in front of the stage - and no one knew it was anything that wasn't supposed to be there. My students sang brilliantly - on pitch, with enthusiasm. They smiled. I smiled. They delivered their lines with feeling and strength. The flow from one scene to the next (props, movement, and all) was as if it had been rehearsed since August. It was, frankly, one of THE best performances I have ever led in my life - EVER! Parents congratulated me and I even got a call from my principal asking me what exactly did I think the problem was (we had had discussions in the weeks leading up to it) - she thought it was fantastic. I told her how wrong I was.
I should also note that to heap on a little more stress, our annual "Winter Festival" is always held the same night as the performance. Each grade level is in charge of one food item and one game. I am the grade level chair for my group ("special populations") and I had to attend meetings, purchase items needed to pull it off, and deal with a last-minute possible failure of the hay ride that we were to provide. It all went beautifully, the parents had a great time, and the school made money.
To further test my limits, I have been waiting for a year for a probate court date. A close friend passed away last year and since the family is scattered to the four winds, they asked ME to administrate his estate. Wouldn't you know after waiting all this time, I got word of the court date while lying in a hospital bed? I made it to court and was able to get the initial efforts started for sewing up the estate of my deceased friend.
The point I'm trying to make here is...I could have spazzed. I could have yelled. I could have screamed and yes, I could have just given up..."Sorry, I'm recuperating from surgery and have personal matters to attend to." But I didn't. I approached it with resolve and continued to reaffirm quietly to myself, "Just do your best, just do your best." And wouldn't you know it? My best turned out to be just enough to pull it all off.
So when you are in the midst of the frantic month of December as a music teacher, relax...go with the flow...it will be what it will be...and if anyone has anything to say about it, they'll need to take a few steps in your sensible teacher shoes.
There may be a couple weeks lag in my posting as I am going to enjoy my holiday hiatus from the classroom. If I get inspired, I may write a post over the holiday break, but if not, I will be back after the new year.
Best wishes to all for a happy, healthy, and wonderful holiday season. The tragedy in Connecticut is weighing heavily on our minds this weekend. Do not fret. Keep those souls in your prayers, keep your heads up, and move forward with resolve to make a difference in your students' lives. Turn off the news. Turn away from the media frenzy and take a moment to reflect on how your light will be one of the many that will help make this world a brighter place. Focus on the light and love, not the darkness and fear.
Until next time...
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