WHAT IS YOUR DREAM JOB? 1 10/15/18 Clarify your vision: what is - PDF document

10/15/18 HOW TO GET, AND KEEP, YOUR DREAM JOB! The secrets I wish someone had told me BEFORE I started teaching! Evan VanDoren Arranger, Composer, and Educational Consultant VanDoren Music LLC www.VanDoren-Music.com WHAT IS YOUR DREAM JOB? 1

10/15/18 Clarify your vision: what is your dream job? ■ What specific content area? – (Band, Orchestra, Choir, etc…) ■ What age group, and why? – (MS? HS? Elem.? College?) Thing I wish someone had told me #1… LEARN HOW TO TEACH THE INSTRUMENTS. I thought I knew how… boy was I wrong. 2

10/15/18 Clarify your vision: what is your dream job? ■ What specific content area? – Band, Orchestra, Choir, etc… ■ What age group, and why? – MS? HS? Elem.? College? ■ How do you want to specialize within your chosen content area and age-group? – How can you add value to your program, as an inexperienced first year teacher? ■ What location/area? – Urban? Suburban? ■ Consider your role! I w I would e encourage y you t to c cast a a W WID IDE n net… you n never k know w where y you mi might end u up! 3

10/15/18 OK, I THINK I’VE GOT MY TARGET… NOW WHAT? Be the best you can be here at Texas State… ■ Show up to class on time ■ Be attentive in your classes ■ Study, and get good grades ■ Dress appropriately ■ Get involved; be a leader ■ Remember… you are creating an impression at all times… you are writing your own resume! 4

10/15/18 Network, network, network… ■ First, it’s about who you know… ■ Then, it’s about what you know! ■ Attend conventions; connect with influencers you have a relationship with, and look for opportunities for introductions with those you don’t! ■ Get out and teach! – Tech marching bands – Teach privately – Teach sectionals/master classes – Teach summer camps You’ve got to find ways to set yourself apart from the crowd… ■ Ask yourself… – What makes you different that the average graduate from your program? – What can you offer that no- one else can? – Why would a “dream” program take a chance on you? 5

10/15/18 “Reverse-Engineer” your resume… Why would a first year teacher NOT be hired? ■ “They lack experience…” – Be a private lesson teacher! – Go teach a marching band! – Go teach master classes or sectionals! – Go teach… ANYWHERE! ■ “They lack maturity…” – Show commitment over time… ■ Grades, Organizations, etc… – Great recommendations! – Do a really good job student teaching I didn’t get the “dream” job… NOW WHAT? 6

10/15/18 Manage your expectations and learn patience! ■ You won’t be as good as you want to be in the beginning… ■ The program you teach won’t be ready to change as much, or as fast, as you want it to be… ■ Your colleagues may not share your motivation for change… ■ And… all of this is OK! So… here’s what you do… ■ Allow yourself to make mistakes! It’s how you’ll learn. ■ Focus on your responsibilities; the things within your sphere of influence, and invest your effort here to make an impact! – Caution: Don’t let things outside of your control control you! 7

10/15/18 Thing I wish someone had told me #2… DON’T UNDERESTIMATE THE VALUE OF THOSE WITH EXPERIENCE My humbling story with my now lifelong friend, Steve Wessels Value culture and relationships above all… ■ “Students h have to to kno now yo you ca care be befor ore th they ca care wh what at yo you know.” .” – Some annoying anonymous source… – … who was definitely right. 8

10/15/18 WARNIN ING: : THIS IS WHERE YOUNG TEACHERS CAN GET IN TROUBLE!!! ■ WITH ALL RELATIONSHIP-BUILDING TYPE COMMENTARY, ITS IMPORTANT YOU REMAIN AWARE! ■ Do your best to interact with students in groups. ■ If you are interacting in a one on one setting, be sure you are in a room with a visible window, at a minimum. ■ BE AWARE. Building influence through action… ■ Learn everyone’s name, fast! ■ When in rehearsals… treat students like human beings first. – See “Nameshark” App – Greet students, smile ■ Develop habits that put you in a position to interact with students ■ Small group instruction… take a outside of rehearsals. moment to ask the group a question that will help you get to know them! – Stand at the door between classes ■ Wear cool clothes. Yes, I said it. – Be out in the classroom, not ■ Ultimately, you MUST have a tucked behind a desk! relationship with those you lead! – Actively inquire with students about subjects that are NOT band! 9

10/15/18 Thing I wish someone had told me #3… KIDS WON’T DO WHAT YOU SAY JUST BECAUSE YOU SAID IT. Knowing what to do next is crucial… Think of each student like a bank account… are you bouncing checks? 10

10/15/18 What happens next… ■ As you make where you are great, continue to network and participate in your professional community. ■ Eventually, good work gets noticed! It’s the quality of your work and your relationships that will set you apart! ■ The better teacher you become, and the stronger your program gets, the more prepared you’ll be when the right opportunities comes along! ■ Along the way, you’ll have some of the most rewarding experiences of your life! HOW TO NOT BURN-OUT IN THE PROCESS. Because it’s not an easy job… 11

10/15/18 Thing I wish someone had told me #4… BEING A MUSIC TEACHER IS SERIOUSLY HARD… What the day really looks like… ■ 6:00 AM – Arrive; ■ 4:00 PM – Marching rehearsal (in all of it’s glory) – Emails, so many emails. ■ 7:00 PM – Marching rehearsal over ■ 6:30 AM – Staff meeting – Impromptu Parent Conference ■ 7:00 AM – Sectionals or Hearing (Gosh darn it.) Times ■ 7:45 PM – Now you can do the stuff ■ 8:30 AM – School starts: team you didn’t do all day… teaching without break for 5 hours – Broken instruments ■ 1:30 PM – Shovel food into face, as – Receive checks fast as possible. Also, more emails. – Other administrative duties… ■ 2:00 PM – More team teaching – Lesson planning (?) ■ 3:30 PM – Get changed for rehearsal ■ 8:15 PM – Go home. (lightning speed). – Even though you’re not done yet. 12

10/15/18 What the day really looks like… ■ 8:30 PM – Now you’re home. Time for delicious Kraft Macaroni and Cheese. ■ 8:45 PM – Mmmmmmm cheese. ■ 9:00 PM – zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz ■ 1:37 AM – Oh crap I fell asleep again on the couch with macaroni and cheese. ■ 5:00 AM – Alarm goes off – Go again! You are not a superhero. Your physical health will impact your teaching! ■ Eating healthy is key. Meal prepping will help. ■ Exercise regularly. Doesn’t have to be crazy. ■ Interact with people outside of work… i.e. HAVE FRIENDS. ■ SLEEP. ■ Learn to be more efficient with your time at work (How do you do what you’re doing better and faster?) ■ Feed your soul… consume content that will make you better; reading, audio books, podcast… find inspiration, don’t wait for it to come to you. 13

10/15/18 Experience is the ultimate teacher. ■ Every mistake you make is one step closer to being a better teacher. THANK YOU! Questions? Visit, www.VanDoren-Music.com and let me know how I can help you! 14