Student gave this to me last night

[musicteach]

I really didn't know where I should put this...so I trust that the regulators can move it if they see fit...

Anyways, last night at practice (marching band), and one of my students who graduated 4 years ago, showed up to practice, knowing we would be outside at the high school practicing, because of our field arrangements. He was always one of my favourite students, so much potential and talent. He always used to make me incredibly sad, though, because he never put a full effort into marching band. Concert yes, just not marching. But I s'pose he just didn't like it. Well he came up and immediately gave me a hug. We chit chatted and talked idly about idle things, when he mentioned that he'd decided to be a music teacher, but for middle school. Eventually he left, and practice ended etc etc. Well I walked back into the high school, and went to my office to grab my bags and head home. I found a poster carefully folded and stuffed under the door. The background was that of a cello (hand drawn). And on it it said:

I'm a special kind of teacher. I don't teach my students how to calculate the world, but rather how to interpret it. I teach them how to make something so delicate and wonderful yet powerful and strong. I'm a music teacher, and I don't teach because I'm in it for a pay check. I teach for the spark of inspiration in my students' eyes and the joy of music in their hearts. As long as I see one student have that inspiration and joy, I've done my job. And tomorrow, regardless of it rains or shines, I'll put my pants on and come to work.

Just thought I'd share. Have a greeeaaaatttt day! (GO BAND!)

 

[teddy]

It is great to be appreciated, and to have taught something so well that others want to emulate you. I will always remember something said to me when I became an instructor. It is your job to teach. If you do it right it will have an impat. If you do it wrong, they will be bored.

teddy

 

[wljmrbill]

It is indeed great when you get little items like this..It makes you feel like you have done something after all.. I can remember a few of those times in my teaching/concert days myself.. and there is always a few special students that make it all worth the time and effort you have spent over the years.. Congrats for being an influence that impresses the students minds.

 

[musicteach]

It is great to be appreciated, and to have taught something so well that others want to emulate you. I will always remember something said to me when I became an instructor. It is your job to teach. If you do it right it will have an impat. If you do it wrong, they will be bored.

teddy

Teddy--
Someone told me something similar a while ago, when I was still in London. This was after I'd been discharged from the military (and subsequently lost my leg) and I was definitely a little depressed about it...and well everything else too. I loved playing with the LSO, but that was only a small smidgin of joy. Otherwise I was pretty down in the dumps. So anyways, I was sitting in this little coffee shop, close to my apartment. This elderly Scottish gentleman walked in, went up to the counter, and it seemed he was a regular, as the girl behind the counter already had the cup of coffee made and handed it to him. He walked over to me, and saw my prosthetic leg. Without asking, or saying hello, or anything of the sort, he walked over and sat down across from me. We chatted and it became a regular thing. Eventually he told me "Shape up boy-o! Is music your passion?" I nodded, and he continued "And do you enjoy teachin'?" Again I nodded and started to protest but he cut me off by saying "Then you've already made an impact! On your own heart! Everything else is just a bonus! But let me tell ya, when you make an impact to a student, you'll know it."

It is indeed great when you get little items like this..It makes you feel like you have done something after all.. I can remember a few of those times in my teaching/concert days myself.. and there is always a few special students that make it all worth the time and effort you have spent over the years.. Congrats for being an influence that impresses the students minds.

Heh I'm nothing special. A little insane...probably...but nothing special in the grand scheme of things, honest. And you're right it IS nice. It's nice to know that you were the teacher that inspired that student to be a music teacher.

 

[Corno Dolce]

Yep, inspiring someone to teach music is the gift that keeps on giving...