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Hey, man. I think you've got it better than you might think. You're a music teacher, and you should be the most creative guy in the whole school.
When I was a kid I hated music class because we had to play squeaky plastic-flutes (i.e. the aforementioned 'recorders') and had recordings of classical music squeaking out of a dilapidated speaker cabinet. As a side note, there was a jar of disinfectant (formaldehyde I believe) and students who did not bring their recorders were force to play on one from the jar. Yeh, I made sure I never forgot mine. 
If you really want to quit, I think you should give it one more year and make music the most enjoyable class that these kids have ever attended. You may need to say to heck with the curriculum, and you might get terminated, but I guarantee you'd walk out of there with your head held high!! If you encourage your students to think freely, then you will no longer need to worry about points 3, 4, 5, and 6 (quoted below). The last thing I ever wanted to do in music class was play an instrument, but now I play guitar every day -- I only wish I had been encouraged to play it as a child -- and I don't mean 'Turkey in the Straw' or 'Buffalo Girls' or something like that, I mean something COOL!
Heck I'm not even a kid, but I'd sure be interested in discussing:
- How music has progressed over the years (e.g. where did rap music originate? Was Elvis _really_ the king of rock n' roll?)
- How does music influence popular culture (e.g. Woodstock, gangstaz)
- What is it about classical music that will make it appreciated for centuries to come?
- Do chirping birds have any patterns in their tunes?
I think you can have a lot of fun just by incorporating some of this free thought into your class!
Best luck,
EvilCats
Quote:
3. I hated school all my life, and the same things that bothered me as a kid, bother me more as an adult! The insistance on uniformity, the compartmentalized learning, I could go on but I won't here!
4. I need to feel I'm being more creative in my work.
5. I'm tired of being tired every day.
6. I need to be in a job where I feel I'm helping people but it would be great if it was something more flexible, and where I was working one on one or in small groups.
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*tearing up* HAHAHAHAhahahaa ha haa
I will now have that song played by squeeky recorders in my head all day..! 
~nelly~
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I can't say that I blame you. I hated school as a kid, myself so I knew that teaching was not for me.
Music has always been a part of our family, too. My mother is a violinist and I have been playing the flute since I was about, what.....10 years old?
My mother taught orchestra for about 10 years, too (1-8), and decided that she didn't want to be involved in the school system anymore because she was not appreciated, at all.
She had to travel all day long between about 3-4 schools and was always pushed around by the other teachers and principle because she was only the "music teacher".
I cannot believe the amount of stress the school system put her under. They always complained because their students JUST HAAAAAAAD to take an hour from the "routine curriculum" to go "goof off in music class". Oh, It really burns me up just to think about it.
You know, I saw on the news where they are claiming that Music can actually "prevent alzheimers" because it fires more neurotransmitters in the brain than most every other activity in this world, yet, no teacher approves of music because it's not math or science!! They claim that it's "goofing off".
Anyway, I think I understand some of your frustrations. My mother ended up on Prozac for a while becuase of these other teachers and principles stressing her out and they always made her feel like she wasn't worthy.
She ended up doing private lessons at home and she loves it. She's doing very well. So, I think that would be a great idea.
I think you should DEFINITELY get out of the school system, too, if they are treating you ANYTHING like they treated my mother. She doesn't even have IBS and was sick alot. It cannot be good on your IBS.
Take Care and Good Luck!
Michelle
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IBS-D. Hiatal Hernia, GERD
Unstable
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I taught grade 7 - 13 music. And I hear you. It's not the teaching and the music that's the problem. It's everything else. The behaviour of kids, the politics, the cutbacks, having a ZERO budget, the marking, the stress, I could go on and on.
I am currently taking time to raise my kids (2 and 4). Once my youngest gets into school, I'll consider something else.
One thing I was looking into is Music for Young Children. It looks really neat. You don't even need a studio - you can run it from your own home. I've talked to parents whose kids are in it and just love it.
I also like the idea of private teaching, but unfortunately, it's during the time when the kids are home - evenings and weekends.
Anyway, just some thoughts. I'll post more if I think of it. Oh, I think the website for Music for Young Children is myc.com
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Formerly HanSolo. IBS, OCD, Bipolar, PTSD times 3.
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My brother was teaching electronics at Wentworth Institute in Boston years ago, but for the past 20 years has been working from home. He started with computer graphics and played in a band on weekends. Now he has a recording studio in the basement. He also gives some lessons at a music store. Music was always his first love.
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Carol
nós somos o que nós somos e o descanso é merda
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Hawkeye,
#239025 - 01/16/06 06:04 PM
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_Willow
Reged: 04/06/05
Posts: 2090
Loc: Canada.
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'm really glad you are mulling it over, and that you aren't jumping the gun. Another thing to remember is if you do go private, for Pete's sake, save for retirement too! Then again, you might be one of those guys who would do private lessons till you're 106 yeas old, LOL! I can tell you love the music.
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Keep on keepin' on...
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When I was learning orchestra-that was the time that i actually did well in Math. it's very closesly related to language development, and also to mathematics learning. music is critical, but hey, I'm just a special eddie, LOL!!
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Keep on keepin' on...
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Shannon - I'm on the council of a group that uses the arts to help students get better grades in math and english etc. It works specifically with high risk kids and students with disabilities. They found that using art, drama and music as a venue for learning certain concepts, the kids were capable of learning SO much better.
This program is getting national attention (we're getting national funding) and my friend who's the director has been working with Paul Gross and his wife!!!!!!!!!!!!! I wanna go with her the days she talks to Paul Gross (I'm a huge fan).
FYI - the influence Music has on learning is often known as the Mozart effect.
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Formerly HanSolo. IBS, OCD, Bipolar, PTSD times 3.
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I'll give you my 2 cents.
If you decide to stay...make it a challenge to get the kids interested. Make it a challenge to work with a budget, make the curric, and make it FUN! Be creative within the framework. If you have the desire and the passion and drive...you will be a star!  A long commute would def stress out most "non-IBS and anxiety" people. Most jobs have their stressors.....the question is: Do the positives out-weigh the negatives? Have you considered writing it all down in a column of pros/cons? I also like to write for ten minutes without picking up the pen (sometimes I write the word "and" for a whole page!) and try to keep on-topic and I am able to learn a heap about how I truly feel about something! (If ten minutes sounds daunting...maybe write a front and back side of a piece of paper...)
Feel free to run ideas by us. 
If you decide not to stay...good for you for being truly honest with yourself and moving on. You will find something else that is better suited to you.
Whatever YOU and your heart decide...it will be for the best. You already know what's best for you! You just have to do some soul searching to find out.
Have you read the Seven Habits of Highly Effective People? The author, Franklin Covey, speaks about how we must give in order to get back. Do you feel like you're giving enough? Were you EVER happy with your job? If you feel like you've given and given and GIVEN to your job and gotten nadda back...it might be time to turn to something else. But if you feel like there's more giving to do...perhaps it shall be done before leaving?
It is all up to you friend...and the answer lies within you! (Sorry to sound so corny but it really is true!) I hope you find it soon and that it should come without too much pain and with loads of growth, Nachas, and Simcha (joy!)
Take care...please do keep us posted!!!
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Formerly known as Ruchie
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Coo-Wull!!
#239276 - 01/17/06 04:22 PM
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_Willow
Reged: 04/06/05
Posts: 2090
Loc: Canada.
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That's awesome! And yes, Paul Gross is a great actor!
It sounds like a wonderful council you're on, and I hope it spreads big time. I use music /rhythm to teach kayleigh how to spell things, and it works like a charm. That's why she knew how to spell kayleigh six months ago, LOL!
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Keep on keepin' on...
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