Wednesday, 30 April 2008

Learn from the experts today!

Today was an observation day. I watched North Shore Middle School's bands hard at work preparing for the parades for Tulip Time in the morning with Ms. Root and then two of Mr. Bird's choirs at Holland Christian High School. And that was fun-I've never watched a marching band practice before!

I've also seen how my reputation has gone before me, to an extent. One of the students from the 8th grade play remembered me right away. I wouldn't expect to hear, "Hey Mr. Racey," from one of the band kids, but I guess I shouldn't be too surprised. He's one of North Shore's finest and sharp as a nail.

As I watched Mr. Bird teaching, I couldn't help but hope that my students would end up singing with him. I hope that they stay in choir and enjoy it, because even in those two rehearsals, I can see why kids can come to like him. He's fun. And his program is successful. It's clear. They're doing good music.

I also met a student who's an older sibling of one of my students. It was funny, but maybe the word I'm looking for is remarkable. This fellow was everything I'd expect him to be: in voice timbre, musicality, looks, and even mannerisms. Growing up, even though I know I didn't look a thing like Jordan, I drew comparisons from teachers to him all the time because of the way I acted and how I would think. Having lived with that so much, I learned not to do the same to this older brother today because I could just tell he and my 8th grade student get the "You're just alike!" bit all the time, and that grows old. I hope as a teacher that I don't do that to students. They're all different. But I quietly thought to myself how the simlarities were uncanny. It's cool.

Seeing Mr. Bird and what he can do with such a large group of students gives me hope. Students can do great things with music. And I don't care what I'm being told, about this whole nonsense of, "You need to go for elementary." I won't give up something that I have a passion for that easily. I love it too much, and I've watched with my own eyes what can happen when good things are produced. I will continue to dream.