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.
It's #musedchat time! Our topic this week: Maintaining your music teacher mental health. Be sure to introduce yourself! #musiced
To start, post a GIF from your favorite Christmas/Holiday movie.
A1: The beginning of a new school year is always the most stressful time in my opinion…starting beginners, getting all the supplies distributed, establishing routines, paperwork galore, etc etc #musedchat
A1- I would say spring. Performances and SLOs due combined with class being shortened/cancelled/ etc due to testing makes for a more stressed teacher. Also my district doesn’t really have a spring break (just an extra long weekend). #MusEdChat
A1: It comes in waves. Beginning of the school year. Concert seasons. Basically the entire month of May. Often not so much that the events themselves are stressful, but that so many end up clumped together. No time to breathe. #musedchat
A1: December - January. I believe in the importance of holiday music, and so I added a holiday concert to my load (otherwise, my choir kids wouldn't sing in a concert until May)...but our musical (that I direct) also opens in January, so it's a little nutso. #musedchat
a1: even tho I am living it might make it feel more true, but winter concert season. In NJ you might hear it called No-School November, state convention, election day, conference half days, Thanksgiving..but it is always interesting! #musedchat
I tell myself that, similar to pieces of music, the transitions are the worst. Right before/after performances, breaks, beginnings, endings . . #musedchat
A1: Either football season because of all the evening commitments/lack of family time, or December, because performances stack up and there never seems to be enough time. 4 weeks b/w fall concert and the next one. #musedchat
A1: Spring season is usually the hardest. From February on through May, the calendar gets more and more gridlocked. With so little room for flexibility and so little time for the unscheduled life that pops up, balance becomes much more difficult. #musedchat
A1 #musedchat December for sure. New liturgical year = less familiar music for the kids every church service. Christmas program is a high-pressure event for us. I'm not FT so I pick up a lot of accompanying work which stretches me a little thin.
A2 we try to take care of each other. People sign up for breakfast once a month, there is a de-stress coloring bulletin board put up by one of the other teachers, office staff sets out candy every Friday, etc. #MusEdChat
A2: We have had a “steps challenge” this semester and are competing as teams of teachers to see who can get in the most steps each week. Ts meet after school twice a week to walk/run. #musedchat
A2: We've just started putting more of a strong focus on the mental health of our students. For our teachers, there are uplifting things -- a prized, randomly-given parking spot, holiday shindigs, etc. -- and we definitely look out for one another. #musedchat
A2: Our district actually picks one break in the year- we just had it for Thanksgiving- where it’s the #rcswellnessweekend— no grading, no email, no tests or homework for anyone. Even an approved email auto reply. It’s been really nice. #musedchat
A2: Wellness weekends with no work expected of students or staff. Monthly wellness newsletter from district. Once a month staff members can get a 20 min massage (we pay but still cool!).
#rcswellnessweekend#musedchat
As someone else mentioned, we try to check in with each other, but it's tough and there's nothing official. We do have a PBIS focus on teachers as well as students, so that helps #MusEdChat
Hey kiddos sorry I'm late needed to relieve some stress Antoine here from Woodbridge Ontario Canada HS instrumental music teacher MB and drumline director of the @FrBressaniBands#musedchat
A3: I would really just love to know what's in place in the district, and supports for finding external help if we need it. I think it's also so important to have a strong, clear policy in-building #MusEdChat
A3: In some ways, any. Burnout seems to be a big thing for a lot of people in my generation right now, and working to prevent that (while acknowledging the stresses of being a new teacher) would be great. #musedchat
Sometimes I look at the sheer number of musical commitments my more experienced colleagues have and I don't understand how they are able to do everything. I feel like I do half of what they're doing and it's SO MUCH. #MusEdChat
A1 Concert or festival week. The anxiety builds up from the wanting of a good show. 9/10 it works out but....
.....
I've been there when it doesn't and that memory always seems to lurk in the shadows. #musedchat
Judging by some posts I see on band teacher facebook, working to the point of exhaustion seems to be a badge of honor for some. That's a recipe for quick burnout. #musedchat
A3 (cont'd.): I am afraid of burning out myself, to be honest, in this field that I adore. However, if I'm this stressed without a family...how will it be when I (hopefully) have one someday? The expectations of the gig are high, and I always feel a bit behind. #musedchat
and just an acknowledgment of what we all are going through life- or career-wise at some points instead of being told to rub some dirt on it, essentially #musedchat
A3 I’m loving the idea of wellness weekends and massages! I love notes of encouragement as well. An easy way to share or lift up another teacher...... And an endless supply of bubble wrap to pop when things get stressful or tense 😜. #MusEdChat
A3: Honestly I'd love the day of the concert off. I do 6 concerts a year one for each grade level. I finally got them to give me a sub for the talent show, now on to concerts. Or just even recognizing music is hard! #musedchat
A3: Not speaking to the district I’m in but districts as a whole, external resources if and when mental health becomes an issue. Also thankful to have great colleagues who support each other! #musedchat
That's been a definite challenge this year, having the LO on top of school commitments. It's hard feeling like I want to do everything and can't; I want to do everything I've always done for my job but be here for the fam 100% #musedchat
i have spent the past year pretty much ignoring facebook and let me tell you how much happier i am and i also have lost almost twenty pounds and i am beginning to think they are related #musedchat
The job is definitely still busy and hectic, but the daily stressors don't bug me as much since my daughter was born. I know that no matter how ugly a day gets, I still get to go home and see her.
But also, I don't remember what sleep is.
#musedchat
Thanks... just trying to keep that in mind and remember that I can't be 100% for everyone all of the time. It helps having a community like this to talk to #musedchat
A3: As mentioned, we are very fortunate to have a district looking to promote mental health. It would be nice to have more time/resources, but I think any program would say that. #musedchat
Saying "no" and feeling less guilt over not checking emails or doing work at home has gotten easier over time. Not a poster child for work/life balance by any means, but it's gotten easier to prioritize over time. #musedchat
A3 Because I'm the only music teacher in my school I'm always curious
1. Am I doing it correctly?
2. How can I improve.
3. How are my colleagues doing it?.
I listen to a few podcasts @aftersectionals and @AMusEdCast they're a great help 1/2 #musedchat
A3- ours did a summer session on mindfulness. I’d love if other teachers would ask me/music teachers during concert week if they can help with anything. I always try to support them when I can. Also, it would be nice if we were given random time off #musedchat
A4: Great British Baking Show (rn, actually) and family time. Going to finally use that spa gift card my husband got me last year to take some me time. #musedchat
#musedchat 2/2 A3 change is always good. Good for us and students. I would love to run a rehearsal in another school and or have a fellow colleague come over to my school and run mine.
A4: Take email off of your phone! Do not even check email from a computer at home. Who knows when you are going to get that angry parent email. Don’t let that ruin your happy place. 99% of things can wait til you are back at school. #musedchat
I still check from home, especially close to a big event or end of a marking period. But very few emails get a response outside of school hours anymore. #musedchat
A lot of work! 😅 (SO out of shape) But it's been nice getting back at it, even if I feel like I'm just desperately trying to keep up half the time. #musedchat
A4: I have been learning to love using essential oils lately, especially for stress. I also need my introverted "alone" time after being at work for (sometimes) over 12 hours -- whether that's Netflix or some piano jamming. #musedchat
A4-Making my own music, taking 15-30 minutes when I get home to change clothes and lay down for quiet time before my own kids start on me; trying to only answer crucial emails at night. #musedchat
Yes, year 12 here and this is the first year I have not checked it at all at home. It’s like a huge burden has been lifted. My next step will be to remove band social media notifications. #musedchat
A4 I read a lot as well as perform in a community choir or community theater shows depending on the season. I also am trying really hard (though not succeeding all the time) to cut way down on screen time. #MusEdChat
A4 #musedchat I've been running. I'm not a good runner, but it helps focus my mind on anything but work. I try to work from work as much as I can, and leave as much there as possible. My husband is learning to GENTLY remind me when I'm overworking.
i have a beginner flautist who has been practicing everyday, and i asked her what her secret was. she practices before bed every night. i never tried it, i loved it when i did! #musedchat
A4: Leaving school at school more. Prioritizing. Really working on trying to limit the work email outside of school, but it is *so* hard. Making sure I’m using my time effectively/intentionally. Connecting with others here, through @SEMWindEnsemble, and others. #musedchat
A4: I try to get to the gym every day after school and I spend some quality time with my spouse just about every night. Helps that he teaches and gets it! #musedchat
A3 not to say that my district doesn’t support it but we don’t necessarily have programs in place. However i am fortunate to have a fantastic staff and they are always checking in with me around concert time to see what i need #musedchat
Mental health really is such an important topic in schools and sometimes I feel it is grossly overlooked. With students and staff. Just my two cents for the evening #musedchat
It was really tough at first to not check that work email at home but now after a few months it feels great. I arrive a few minutes early each day, check email, respond to pertinent ones, and go about my day. #musedchat
A4 after a student vs teacher hockey game a fellow colleague saw I had a hard time putting my hockey pants on. He jokingly said hey you've put some weight on since you arrived 9 years ago..... That woke me up and now I'm 28lbs lighter. #musedchat
A5: Seems like this has really only been discussed recently. We have brain breaks built into the school day for students - student interest clubs that meet twice a week for 25 min each time. Some as simple as “Coloring Club” or “Cornhole” #musedchat
It’s that initial fear that you are going to miss something, then when you realize that “Do we wear black socks or white socks for the performance” isn’t a life or death situation, you can breathe fine knowing it can be handled tomorrow. #musedchat
A5: Our district has been offering #mindfullness training to utilize with students. Several teachers in our bldg have been working on ways to help students deal with stress. #musedchat
Stalking this tonight. Working on taking email off my phone right now - and saying no to an email I got today! Thanks guys. Needed this today. #musedchat
A5: not to my knowledge. Our elementary counselors were cut about 7 years ago... saw in the last board minutes they’re proposing bringing them back. Sorely needed 🤞 #musedchat
A5 we're a CKH school this year and, as such, really working on building positive relationships and providing students space to feel safe expressing what they're going through. With only one counselor per grade level, though, there's a lot of help they have to provide #musedchat
A5: Our staff is divided into different groups of interest for PD. A number of the groups are dedicated to positive mental health for staff and students that do various things throughout the year (ie: a “growth mindset” group #GrowthSCHS, school cultures group, etc) #musedchat
A5 not really sure on my school now (new this year) but my old school did mindful music moments during morning announcements which I loved. @CitySilenceNow#MusEdChat
