Kicking Off the School Year

A new school year is upon us! Here I am, like so many other band directors in the middle of August, sitting amidst an ever-building tsumani of tweets, e-mails, social media updates, and to-do lists for my to-do list, and it is at this particular moment that I decide. It's gotta be NOW. Now is the time.

Today is the day I start my teaching blog!

Yes, I know I'm crazy. But hear...er, read... me out.

This past year, I made it a goal to start a Student Leadership program for my students. Those students interested in leadership positions for the next school year were encouraged to attend, but any and all students interested in coming were welcome to come as well. So once the marching season completed, our Leadership Seminars began to read Stephen Covey's Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. We met about once a month for an hour or so to discuss a new chapter, new habit, and visualize what it would look like in our lives; whether it be band, personal, academic, or otherwise. There was one chapter in particular that had a huge impact on me: Put First Things First. In it, he discusses the difference between urgent and important, and that if we spend all our time putting out fires and never focusing on what's important, we are missing out.

If there was ever a group of people in need of more humanity and less urgency, it is certainly band directors. It's very easy to get caught up in that tsunami of urgency. It can be all-consuming. And if you're not careful, it will take you out before you've even realized you've been hit. There's never enough time to even begin to make a dent in those to-do lists, let alone make time for the important things.

Which brings us to this moment. Ta-da! This is my effort to focus on the important things. I'm hoping this blog will help me keep my saw sharp, hone my craft, and give me some space to write, think, reflect, and focus on my teaching.

I know, I'm still crazy for starting this. But a lot like teaching, it's all about the journey. So here's to all of us on the road and may we "Keep Moving Forward." (-W. Disney)

Lauren Staniszewski

Band Director

Stoney Creek High School

Rochester Hills, MI

@LStaniszewski1 (Twitter)

Comments

Innovator's Mindset in the Band Room: Student-Led Rehearsals

It all started when this happened... George Couros came to Rochester Community Schools yesterday, inspiring hundreds of teachers in his wake. If you are not familiar with George Couros (@gcouros), he is the author of the widely recognized, highly regarded educational manifesto entitled "The Innovator's Mindset" as well regularly writing on his blog, The Principle of Change . There are many aspects of the "Innovator's Mindset" that I find appealing. We agree on many, many points: the power of positive connections, cultivating passion, and the need for teachers to give students space and voice to take charge of their learning. This tweet though, sums it up for me: When you have a compelling reason, you can learn ANYTHING. #RCSInnovate — Kristine Balinski (@MathTeacherMrsB) November 5, 2018 If students have a compelling reason to connect, they will put in the work. Teachers are the resource, students direct their own learning. As educators, espec...

Student-Led Rehearsals: Student Feedback

So...what did students think of our Student-Led Rehearsals? Wind Ensemble (1st hour; Audition-Only Group) Generally speaking, Student-Led Rehearsals well-received in this ensemble. Many students expressed appreciation at building teamwork, and felt the topics they rehearsed "stuck" more quickly when they were able to direct their own learning. They also expressed a heightened accountability to self and one another, deeper engagement, and enjoyed giving/receiving constructive feedback to one another in respectful ways. Frustrations included lack of organization/unclear goals, time management concerns, starting/establishing procedures, and wanting more rehearsal time. Question: Where did you hear our efforts pay off? Question: Was there a difference between Student-Led and Director-Led Rehearsals? If so, what? Question: Was there anything challenging about Student-Led Rehearsals? Question: What are some of the ways we can improve rehearsals, no matter who is leadin...

New (School) Year Resolutions

Like so many other teachers anticipating an new year, this week has been filled with Professional Development. Although setting the alarm clock for the first time can be an anxiety filled experience, I do appreciate the opportunity to re-connect with my colleagues and my craft for a few days before the first day of school. After the time for reflection that summer grants us, it's nice to revisit and determine our goals as a staff, as a department, and as a district... but what about individual goals? I know any time I'm usually given to work independently during our kick-off week is usually spent doing very practical, preparation tasks: printing copying paperwork, updating websites and calendars, preparing for the first day, etc. But this time, I've decided to make a little time for myself to focus on my own New (School) Resolutions for this year (and maybe see if there are any other directors/educators who are also interested in these topics...??): Streamline...

Notes from the Cougar Band Room

Search This Blog