Tomorrow G and I are going to school! Gemma will be attending pre-school at American Heritage of South Jordan and I will be the new Orchestra teacher! We are both so excited. Gemma has been talking about going to school since May. ***note to self: never tell Gemma about an upcoming event until the night before.*** I have been preparing lesson plans and collecting ideas for a few months. I have been studying conductors and musicians and after all this prep work I have come to the conclusion that I got this and will learn as I go if I don't. My middle school orchestra teacher, Mrs.Willaims said
"Fake it till you make it! Smile! This is suppose to be fun!"
I love this and say it often, even now years later. I had my dear friend make me a sign that says fake it till you make it for my classroom. Mrs Willaims taught us to respect each other, respect the piece, and respect the art. I loved her. As her seventh grade student you just knew that by the time you were in ninth grade you would be able to play in an orchestra and it would sound good. She was inspiring, and happy, and good. I want to be that kind of Orchestra teacher. I went to Arizona this summer and she made time to see me and help me. She looks the same and sounds the same. She makes her students feel talented and loved. I will be channeling Mrs. Williams vibes this year. If I resemble her in the smallest way as a teacher then I will consider myself a successful orchestra teacher.
Middle school and high school are demanding in many regards. Orchestra always felt like home base. I knew what to do, I could do it, and the same kids were next to me year after year (cheers to Cozette my favorite stand partner). In high school especially I relied on my orchestra family.
High school gave me Dr. Temme. He made orchestra so much fun. Whether he was dangling over the stage for Mission Impossible or staggering around the audience dressed like a drunk pirate from Pirates of the Caribbean or dressed in a tux pleading with us to do better, try harder, and taking us to every festival he could, he was consistently passionate. I could rely on him to be honest and helpful. His classroom was always open to hide in, to play in, or eat lunch in. Temme told us to put on our ugly black concert dresses and get lost in the performance. He was magnificent. Thank goodness I stuck with the violin long enough to experience his class.
I never wanted to be a teacher. My mom told me for years that I would be a great English Teacher and I blew it off. However, after a week of teacher prep surrounded by teachers 800 times more experienced than I am...I caught the buzz. My definition of "teacher" took on a different meaning. I am a part-time orchestra teacher and I felt swamped this week with preparation...you should see some of these teacher's classrooms, and handouts, and prep. Their passion for being teachers is palpable. I am once again saying you were right mom...I wish I was rubbing shoulders with these people everyday in a larger capacity. I would be so lucky to be an English teacher at American Heritage! How lucky I am to be participating in the role of Orchestra teacher. I hope I can provide all the skills and safety my orchestra teachers provided me with.
My mom just texted me "good luck tomorrow! You're the cutest and the smartest" which is what she told me everyday before school. So now that the magic words have been said that guarantee a good day, I know I am as ready as I can be. Feeling all the anticipation a kid can feel before the first day of school. The bouquets of pencils are sharpened, backpacks are packed, and prayers are said. I cannot wait for this new experience. All that's left is to rock this!
