#MaximumCreativity

Research tells us that there’s a time in our teaching when we start to shift the focus from our own survival to our students’ learning. Then, if your really comfortable and you push yourself to the edge of #WhatYouKnow and consider #WhatCouldBe, the pedagogical script starts to write itself in real time. I still remember when these shifts started in my own teaching, and when they started shifting gears rapidly… the terror, the excitement, the ‘I don’t know but I didn’t want to stop’. While there are key memories that anchor some of these shifts, those moments were both intentionally made and stumbled upon. Equally exciting and equally confusing.

As I dug into my own questions, opened my thought process to consider perspectives I had not previously been exposed to, and started asking students more and telling them less, I came to realize what was obvious to them (students) and lost on me (teacher): nobody can speak more about student interest than…students 😳 “So, tell me about…”

Now, my current place is so simple, so powerful, and so meaningful. How can we create an environment that allows for and encourages #MaximumCreativity from students, with students, and for students? Students know their own interests, students can speak to their own relevance, students can articulate what they wonder. So now we shift from pedagogical teller to space facilitator…still the expert on many levels, but not the expert of their creative interest. That’s where our partnership begins (and my journey continues)…

Creating (…in isolation?)

In 2018, we have more opportunities to be creative together, to explore the possibilities within ourselves and our communities, and to find like minded individuals/groups. At the same time, our creative practices can feel more isolated than ever before.  As I reflect on my own creative endeavors, I find that I am still bound by some measure of worth that was placed on me as a young student…and that is troubling.

The impact educators have on students (at any age) is proven to be far more profound that often considered in the classroom. While it is not the educator’s responsibility to “raise” the students to be well-rounded, confident individuals, it is our opportunity. When providing academic feedback, the choice of words can empower or demoralize a student. The body language can fill a students sails, or take the wind right away. The casual conversations can lead to unique explorations in creativity, or set in a lifetime of doubt. Teaching is hard…teaching well is even harder.

I often get inspiration from social media, colleagues, my own children, and a variety of other places, but my engagement is measured against the “why”…

• Why do I want to do that?
• Why do I think I can do that? I’ve never done that before.
• Why would anyone care if that was done?
• and finally… Why bother? Its not worth anyone’s time.

Amidst that self doubt, I can directly reflect on 2-3 specific interactions in my school years that lead to this type of internal dialogue. At the same time, I have enough experiences and education to be able to pinpoint the origin, reason through its weak points, and move forward without the doubts and “why” questions. But in the end, the cycle is very strong and difficult to get out of. As I continue to evolve as a mentor/leader, I find the “impostor syndrome” getting stronger, feeling as though I don’t belong in this role or don’t have authentic value to add to the conversation, which brings me back to an earlier point… teaching well is hard.

Educators must engage in reflective practice! It must be regular, but it must also be realistic. Feeling as though we must be the expert in everything we engage in is an expectation we put upon ourselves. Everything I can do today, was once new to me. Remembering the process a beginner goes through, in every stage of life, is more valuable to us than the comparison of “end products”. Embrace the process, look for growth, and love the power of “yet” in life. So today, I commit to create…for me. I need to go back to find the love of creating because that is who I am. The medium may change from what some expect, but the internal outlet will be as fulfilled. Here we go…

Doing Teaching

a gem from 2014 that wasn’t posted…

It has been a whirlwind of a year!

I could leave this cathartic post there and feel a level complete… but… there’s more. Suddenly changing direction last year, leaving my Teaching Assistant position to return as a HS director, accepting 2 student teachers immediately, and now moving into my role on the state band /orchestra board. The dissertation looms (along with the great opportunities to continue to grow as a person that coincide with it). My desires to evolve the current practices in school music are still strong, but seemingly isolated. My passion for mentoring is as intense as ever, knowing that the interactions we have with colleagues can significantly shape our perspectives. Different opportunities to change myself, suggest change for others, and most interestingly, change WITH others.

There is a bump in the road, though. Too often, we (the metaphorical “educators”) sit around the table a talk about ways to improve education. We recite the obstacles (funds, resources, technology, time, etc) and squash dialogue with the excuse of “we tried that once, but then the state said…” (or whomever your opposition was). After that recitation is complete, the conversation ends. WHY! We need to continue to dream and wish and wonder about the “what if” and “I wonder what”  or “can you imagine how” that exist in our fields.

A shorty…

Just a short thought to share…

Believe it or not, we just finished our second week of school. The students are super motivated, bring a positive energy to the classroom, and are already expressing their interests in music inside/outside of school. It is also clear that these interests are influencing their desire for quality in the classroom.
As we consider our assessment design and our space for student reflection, the vernacular musicianship the students bring to the classroom will play a prominent role.  We have spent as much time in our ensemble classes sharing our current interests and projects as we have rehearsing the assigned literature. Yet, the student performance has increased immensely. 

What is the balance in the classroom? Even in my second year, I am still learning and adjusting our balance. I wonder if others do the same in their classroom. If, as the facilitator of the classroom, I can blur the line between in school and out of school music, I believe the students will grow as musicians. Stay tuned…