Music Educators—Ready for the start of the school year?! Jacob Nurse from GATE Magnet School in Avondale shares his go-to preparations as a band director for the new academic year! Thank you, Jacob!
Organization is extremely important and always helpful! This includes making your room warm and inviting, having paperwork, music, materials and curriculum ready to go, expectations clearly understood (or posted) and your concert cycles set for the year as much as you possibly can.
I like to start the year with a fresh mindset as every year is different. Mistakes will happen, challenges will arise, but we can do anything and everything with a life-long learner/growth mindset.
Have icebreakers ready for your students, team building activities. This will help build relationships and will give you an idea of who some of your student leaders might be.
Start off with something musical! Get their attention day one with a positive, upbeat demeanor. The music classroom is fun and should be a space for students to express themselves both collectively and individually.
Be flexible, kind, but firm.
Make sure that self-care is a part of your teaching life! We all hit ups and downs so plan on taking care of yourself in the best ways for you.