Hi everyone,
I'm just looking for some advice. As I have previously posted on these discussion boards I am VERY unhappy with my current job and I am looking for a way out. I am the only Band teacher at a large urban high school, working with uncooperative students (despite all my efforts), absolutly no parent support, and lacklust administrative support. I really just don't fit into this school - completly two different ways of thinking.
I have an appointment for a middle school position. I am not 100% sure that I want to change grade levels. I do see some advantages to going down to middle school (less after school time) but there are disadvantages. Before I take off a day of work for the interview I was hoping to get some thoughts on the subject.
Ultimately I want to be a supervisor or administrator so I wonder exactly how much it will matter as to what grade levels I taught. I already taught general and instrumental in an elementary school before.
Any advice?
Caesar
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Stay in High School or go to Middle School or Elementary
Started by Caesar7770, Feb 12 2008 11:12 AM
4 replies to this topic
#2
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Advanced Member
Posted 13 February 2008 - 03:33 PM
Caesar,
I hope that you find a way out of your current situation. It doesn't sound like too much fun.
When it comes to middle school vs. high school, you have to think about your teaching style. Do you think that your personality in your teaching works better with middle schoolers or high schoolers? In my personal teaching style, I do well with 7-8 and 9-12, but 5-6 is a struggle for me. I still have yet to figure out what "buttons" to push to get them to achieve success as much as my older grades (I guess I'm not much of a sticker or candy bar rewards type of guy).
Basically, do what you enjoy the most. Don't think about money for supplementals, or weekends off, or anything else. What are you most excited about, and go for it. All of us band directors are just built differently. Just my 2 cents. Best of luck.
Chris Foster
Director of Bands, Warren Local Schools
www.warrenlocalbands.org
I hope that you find a way out of your current situation. It doesn't sound like too much fun.
When it comes to middle school vs. high school, you have to think about your teaching style. Do you think that your personality in your teaching works better with middle schoolers or high schoolers? In my personal teaching style, I do well with 7-8 and 9-12, but 5-6 is a struggle for me. I still have yet to figure out what "buttons" to push to get them to achieve success as much as my older grades (I guess I'm not much of a sticker or candy bar rewards type of guy).
Basically, do what you enjoy the most. Don't think about money for supplementals, or weekends off, or anything else. What are you most excited about, and go for it. All of us band directors are just built differently. Just my 2 cents. Best of luck.
Chris Foster
Director of Bands, Warren Local Schools
www.warrenlocalbands.org
Christopher R. Foster
Director of Bands, Warren Local Schools
Professor of Trumpet, Marietta College
www.warrenlocalbands.org
Director of Bands, Warren Local Schools
Professor of Trumpet, Marietta College
www.warrenlocalbands.org
#3
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Bandmaster
Posted 14 February 2008 - 08:17 AM
Chris,
Thanks for the advice. I guess I've been trying to figure and sort that out in my own mind. Part of me really wants to just get out of my current situation, no matter what grade level I end up in. I'm just not sure if I would like middle school, but I don't want to run out and than into something that I really don't like.
As I'm debating what to do I must admit it is hard not to consider stipends, time, and all those factors. Also, I'm considering everything because I'm getting married soon and my fiance and I are also looking to relocate (not far from where we are but far enough to warrent me changing jobs). Also, I've had a rough time where I am now and I'm not 100% sure I'll be rehired - like I said I really just don't fit in to this school.
Thanks - any other advice is always welcomed!
Caesar
Thanks for the advice. I guess I've been trying to figure and sort that out in my own mind. Part of me really wants to just get out of my current situation, no matter what grade level I end up in. I'm just not sure if I would like middle school, but I don't want to run out and than into something that I really don't like.
As I'm debating what to do I must admit it is hard not to consider stipends, time, and all those factors. Also, I'm considering everything because I'm getting married soon and my fiance and I are also looking to relocate (not far from where we are but far enough to warrent me changing jobs). Also, I've had a rough time where I am now and I'm not 100% sure I'll be rehired - like I said I really just don't fit in to this school.
Thanks - any other advice is always welcomed!
Caesar
#4
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Bandmaster
Posted 14 February 2008 - 09:46 AM
[quote name='Caesar7770' date='Feb 14 2008, 08:17 AM' post='2879']
Chris,
Thanks for the advice. I guess I've been trying to figure and sort that out in my own mind. Part of me really wants to just get out of my current situation, no matter what grade level I end up in. I'm just not sure if I would like middle school, but I don't want to run out and than into something that I really don't like.
As I'm debating what to do I must admit it is hard not to consider stipends, time, and all those factors. Also, I'm considering everything because I'm getting married soon and my fiance and I are also looking to relocate (not far from where we are but far enough to warrent me changing jobs). Also, I've had a rough time where I am now and I'm not 100% sure I'll be rehired - like I said I really just don't fit in to this school.
Thanks - any other advice is always welcomed!
Caesar
[/quote]
We have discussed these situations before. I personally do not want to move out of high school. I am looking for other high school jobs (which may include some middle school BAND as well). I am even looking to become an assistant with a larger program (I think I missed out on a lot of hands on training by becoming a band director/department chair of a small school group, with no supporting staff, right out of college).
I am also looking to be an administrator (started grad work this past month). My goal is to be an assistant principal/assistant band director down the road.
Chris,
Thanks for the advice. I guess I've been trying to figure and sort that out in my own mind. Part of me really wants to just get out of my current situation, no matter what grade level I end up in. I'm just not sure if I would like middle school, but I don't want to run out and than into something that I really don't like.
As I'm debating what to do I must admit it is hard not to consider stipends, time, and all those factors. Also, I'm considering everything because I'm getting married soon and my fiance and I are also looking to relocate (not far from where we are but far enough to warrent me changing jobs). Also, I've had a rough time where I am now and I'm not 100% sure I'll be rehired - like I said I really just don't fit in to this school.
Thanks - any other advice is always welcomed!
Caesar
[/quote]
We have discussed these situations before. I personally do not want to move out of high school. I am looking for other high school jobs (which may include some middle school BAND as well). I am even looking to become an assistant with a larger program (I think I missed out on a lot of hands on training by becoming a band director/department chair of a small school group, with no supporting staff, right out of college).
I am also looking to be an administrator (started grad work this past month). My goal is to be an assistant principal/assistant band director down the road.
#5
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Bandmaster
Posted 14 February 2008 - 11:10 AM
Jumberg,
I'm guessing your situation has not improved since the last time we posted. I'm guessing we are both in a similar situation. I feel sometimes too that I missed out on a lot of hands on training by taking on a smaller Band program before being an assistant. I'm also looking to be an administrator - personally though gearing towards music supervisor rather than principalship (at least I think).
I would be more than willing to be the assistant for a while if it meant more training and getting out of my current situation. But like I said, if down the road I want to be an administrator, would it matter that I taught middle school for a while? I also wonder what other things I should be doing to gain experience so when I do apply for an administrative job I am more prepared and more likely to get the job?
Caesar
I'm guessing your situation has not improved since the last time we posted. I'm guessing we are both in a similar situation. I feel sometimes too that I missed out on a lot of hands on training by taking on a smaller Band program before being an assistant. I'm also looking to be an administrator - personally though gearing towards music supervisor rather than principalship (at least I think).
I would be more than willing to be the assistant for a while if it meant more training and getting out of my current situation. But like I said, if down the road I want to be an administrator, would it matter that I taught middle school for a while? I also wonder what other things I should be doing to gain experience so when I do apply for an administrative job I am more prepared and more likely to get the job?
Caesar
