There are three things in my future profession that I refuse to compromise. The first deals with the kinds of repertoire I will have my students perform in choir. Today, many choral directors choose repertoire based on its entertainment value, rather than its academic value. I feel that is important to choose repertoire that has academic integrity, historical significance, and provides opportunities to challenge the students. The entertainment songs (i.e. Disney) seldom provide any of these. I feel that the concerts the students perform should be an opportunity to share their hard work with the community, not a performance to solely entertain the audience.
A second area I refuse to compromise deals with classroom management. I want my students to understand my level of expectations in thier behavior and participation and to realize that any less is not acceptable. I feel that so many students opt to take choir because they believe it is easy. I want my students to enjoy my class and have fun along the way, but learning must take place.
I also feel that many teachers give in to bad behavior, which results in chaos in the classroom. Managing a classroom is difficult, yes, but I believe that we are doing the children a favor by teaching them (and enforcing) which behaviors are and aren't acceptable.
The third area I will not compromise in deals with copying of music in the schools. Many schools administrators are allowing illegal copying of music scores in the classroom simply to save money. Illegally copying music can cost more money if you are caught than it would've cost to buy the music in the first place. Many music teachers fight this with their administrators, only to hit brick walls. They don't realize that the copying of music is driving the cost of scores up because publishing companies are losing money. The budgets we are given are very small, but it is unacceptable to blatantly break the law to try and cut corners.
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2 comments:
It appears to me that you have a very clear vision of the kind of teacher that you would like to be. You expressed a strong passion for the integrity of music through the types of songs that you will select for your choirs to perform as well as your unwillingness to copy music scores for the sake of money and convenience.
I also really liked that you expressed that you will not compromise on your classroom expectations. I think this is important as well. Many teachers do inadvertently give in to bad behavior and lose control in their classrooms. I agree with you that some students do chose to take choir because they believe it to be easy. I’m glad that you said you want your students to enjoy music and have fun in your class, but you also expressed that learning must take place as well.
You seem to have a very good outlook on what you want in your future classroom and what you do not want. I think this is very important with any type of teaching. A teacher needs to have values that are very close to them that they will never give up. I feel your feelings and values will make you a great teacher. You seem very passionate about what you are going to teach to your students which is the most important aspect when trying to get the students to learn. If students realize how important something is to their teacher, I feel learning will be able to take place easier and faster.
I also feel that having choir not be an easy way out and really making the students work hard and actually learn something is crucial, but you also stated that it will be fun and enjoyful. You definitely have some great expectations in your classroom that will not only get you far as a teacher, but your students as well.
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