A Blog by Chicken Wrangler Sara
This year has been hard. I could just stop there but let me be more specific.
As a music teacher, it has been hard to teach without singing, sharing instruments or playing any passing games. In fact, I wrote a poem telling about this. You can read it here.
To be honest, I have spent the first 6 weeks of school wondering why I keep going. I could quit and be a grandma full time. That sounds much more rewarding than struggling as a music teacher.
Things are getting better. Last week a student gave me a picture they drew of me. There were several details in that picture that made me smile.
The first thing is the eyelashes. When I started recording lessons last Spring for the students at home, I realized my eyes always looked half closed. I decided to start wearing eye make up to help me look awake. This student noticed!
Then there are the earrings. I usually wear large, dangling earrings. I read somewhere that they make you look 10 pounds lighter. That helps with the COVID 20 I have gained.
I am particularly happy that she drew the earrings as music notes. Not all my earrings are music notes.
When the face mask mandate went into effect, I was frustrated that I could not smile at people. Smiling is very important. I borrowed a button maker and made a button:
I wear my name badge in a pouch around my neck. In the pouch I keep all my necessities – my office key, a tuning fork, an Allen wrench, the USB drive with all my music information and sometimes a peppermint. The button is on the cord holding my name pouch. This student included that detail.
Things have been hard. They may never return to the way they were before. However, when I look through the eyes of a child, especially this one, I know it will be OK.
Please don’t let the world convince you that you are not important as a music teacher. I had a music teacher who convinced me I actually had some value. Not an easy task with a confused and wounded teenager. My son struggles to teach art to students who may not even understand the language. But years after they graduate, they remain in contact and bask in his friendship. The most valuable profession in this world is that of a teacher. Thank you.
Thank you for your encouragement! I have a picture of me with a piano student that I keep in a frame where I can see it every day. This student has gone on to be an elementary music teacher. I saw her at the convention last year and was so proud. The hard part is remembering the long term effects of teaching music some of which I may never know. I just hang on to the pictures I do have and press on.