Improve the Shining Moments

I really love my job. It gives me a great deal of satisfaction to know that I'm making a difference.

Today was a "teacher in service" day--normally pretty lame for me. Today we started working on the process of accreditation for our school. Basically, it's what we have to do to ensure that our students' credits are accepted...it proves that we're a viable school. Whatever...

Anyway, we're starting a new "cycle," and there's a new process we have to do. As a result, we're doing everything different, including a new set of chair people (or is it chairpersons?) As a way to get the ball rolling and remind us why we were doing this, she had us write down three of "shining moments" we've had as teachers.

Here were my three:
1. I love it when the students start to really love the music. When I first hand out a piece of music, they don't especially like it. They hate it if it's hard. I love the moment when they start to feel successful and then start to really love the music.

2. I love it when one of my students asks me what they need to do to become a band director. They say that imitation is the greatest form of flattery, and this is very true!

3. I love my students' faces after a concert, when I can look them in the eyes and know that they feel good about what they've accomplished.

After the meeting, I returned to my room and was working in my office when a former student walked in. He graduated 2 years ago, and we had a pretty good relationship when he was in the band. He's a goofy guy who has had his fair share of ups and downs.

He gave me an invitation to his wedding in July. I was so excited for him. He looked so happy...he has a plan for his future, and I'm really glad. We ended up talking for about an hour and a half--just talking. It was great...another "shining moment."

Here's to more "shining moments" in the future!