Each Monday evening at 8PM EST, music teachers get together and share ideas about important topics within music education. It’s a great chance to interact directly with educators from all over the world and to get new tips and tricks to help you succeed in the classroom. The entire #musedchat discussion is organized and moderated by Joe Guarr.
A1 in the ES music room, not much politics. Parents r interested in what the Ss r excited about. Many parents had in music in the same room as their Ss do now #MusEdchat
Hollie- elementary music and chorus in Lancaster, PA. A1- cliques of teachers that exclude others and politics between admin, classroom teachers, and “specialists” #musedchat
A1: In the Elementary world now constantly making sure to choose repertoire that represents everyone within a religiously and culturally diverse community. #musedchat
A1. Great answers from everyone. I believe that most people dont understand what we do. They try to make it the same as science or math class. We are different and have different needs. #musedchat
Q2: With so many different groups, some with different goals, what are the most critical things we can do to maintain good collegial relationships? #musedchat
In my former position guidance counselors refused to let honors Ss take band or orchestra in hs because they “needed” a supervised study hall more. #musedchat
#musedchat Right on, every now and them I’m asked if it would be ok if beginning band kids only had like half a year of class, like some first semester then no band until the next year.
A2: clear, frequent, polite communication is really important. Asking questions can help more than dictating mandates. Also pick your battles #musedchat
Q2: With so many different groups, some with different goals, what are the most critical things we can do to maintain good collegial relationships? #musedchat
A2: Realize your program is not the only thing on campus and be a team player. Genuinely support the other activities happening at your school. #musedchat
A2- do a book study with your colleagues. If admin doesn’t want to lead, you lead. Choose a book for everyone- I like #Culturize. Remind all that you are all there for the kids-and each other. #musedchat
Music tends to do a great job of publicly supporting other activities. Theater, athletics via pep band, repping the district in parades, etc. #musedchat
A2. Remember that you are a part of the whole. Everyone must work together. There has to be some give and take. Do get taken advantage of, but also dont be over demanding. #musedchat
#A2 I think that demonstrating how you think students should interact with each other is important and respecting colleagues/building relationships with them especially in front of other students is the way to do that. #musedchat
A2: play nice as much as possible. Before dismissing initiatives saying “these don’t fit” bit “how can we make them work?” Perfect example is PLC we have some accomplished some amazing things by “buying in” #musedchat
A2: Attending and supporting coworkers’ activities and events like we would with Ss, and extending kindness and encouragement in the same way we do with Ss. #musedchat
Q2: With so many different groups, some with different goals, what are the most critical things we can do to maintain good collegial relationships? #musedchat
Q3: Has your advocacy for your students/program ever caused friction with another entity in your school? How do you manage such a situation? #musedchat
A3: yes, schedule conflicts are always a part of music teacher life. I speak to individuals involved directly, then run it by admin if necessary. Boundaries are good and it's possible to be firm and kind without apologizing for having them #musedchat
A3: something that has happened is conflicting fundraisers. A lot of times I cannot do fundraisers that are being done schoolwide throughout the year. We are pretty limited as to what fundraisers we are allowed to do too. #musedchat
A3 had other Ts let Ss skip music to finish classwork or help them in the classroom. Let the other Ts know my class was not optional, admin supported. Same Ts tried to let whole class skip a concert. Admin stepped in w full support #MusEdchat
A3: Yes, without giving too many details, I was very outspoken about a scheduling thing a few years ago. Had to calm down, go through proper channels, offer potential solutions #musedchat
A3 with a small school I always have kids who are involved w athletics or councils. I ask them before if they understand the commitment to our ensembles and for them to communicate with their coach/advisor if it's possible 2do both. If they can't they need to decide.
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A4: funding (and booster groups) can be a support or hinderance. Scheduling can also help/hurt depending. Traditions can hinder music programs moving forward if they're too resistant to change #musedchat
#musedchat This always drives me nuts. Everyone seems to think everything will work out fine, oh no conflicts. Then there is a meet or game the day of an event. So bad for the kids to be tugged around.
A4: It helps that people love music performances at school and community events. Plus, a strong fine arts program is a great bragging point for Superintendents. #musedchat
A3: Last school, I was so upset about the county pulling funding out from under us for All-County Band. I sent an email to parents about “raising a stink” and I got in big trouble. Yeesh. #musedchat
Q3: Has your advocacy for your students/program ever caused friction with another entity in your school? How do you manage such a situation? #musedchat
A4: I could not do what I do without the support of parent groups. They handle all fundraising and do not encroach on decisions that should be left up to the director. #musedchat
I try to arrange events in advance. I ask our athletic director to make our concert days a no play day for the regular season. Playoffs it's a different story. It's not perfect but we get minimal conflicts. #musedchat
A4. So key to have someone in admin that really gets it. I’ve found those that played or sang through HS or have kids that did see the big picture the best. #musedchat
A5: Having admins who trust you, and trust your judgement, has been my biggest support. I feel empowered to make my own decisions, within reason #musedchat
A4: our PTA has been super helpful to us the past two years. I don't know how our musical would have happened without parent help. This year, they're helping us get sponsors and we have room mom's to help with our required bulletin boards #musedchat#blessthePTA
A1) There can be many different political forces at play in a school setting such as funding, administrative support and experience, scheduling. #musedchat
A5.b Ran into a hindrance in my last year with outside corporations and foundations that funded the school with large $. The district began giving them a say in what and how things were taught. #musedchat
A2) Being respectful of other academic areas and understanding that ALL teachers have a deep passion for what they teach...Being able to negotiate professionally with other colleagues can be a very valuable skill in establishing your goals. #musedchat
A5: Having admins who trust you, and trust your judgement, has been my biggest support. I feel empowered to make my own decisions, within reason #musedchat
