I GOT TO TEACH!
It really is hard not to focus on anything else at the moment. There are so many things that I wish to tell everyone about my experience teaching trumpet, and yet I am speechless. I guess this is because I am so happy that I got to teach, I got to lead a classroom of students, I got a taste of what my future job could be. I am so excited.
There is no feeling, for me, greater than watching children learn. Watching the students play and absorb the information that I was giving them was truly enjoyable. What is most amazing to me is the dichotomy of feeling that you can have right before teaching, during teaching, and after teaching.
Before I was in the front of the class, I was so nervous; running through every possibility of what could go wrong, what I would do if a student fainted, what I would do if I fainted. And then when it was my turn to teach, I was fine. I knew what my job was and I knew how I was going to accomplish it. In fact during my lesson I started walking around more because I was letting off energy rather than actually listening to the students. Although that is not the best thing to emit, I think it did more positive than negative.
After I taught I was all smiles, I was on a cloud that didn't even have a number, I was just so happy that I was able to teach again. So to review, at first I'm wondering what to do if I lose consciousness and I end with wanting to keep on teaching. Wow!
I am saddened by one fact, however. I know that these students only have a few chances to learn from me. So my question is, how can I make each of my lessons meaningful? I am saddened because I feel that my lessons are but a tiny chunk in an otherwise vast musical world. I know that what I teach has to be powerful enough and meaningful enough for it to stick in the minds of the students. Even though they are not my students, I am treating them like they are. And knowing that I have a limited time with them, I am going to really miss them when I have to go.
What was best about teaching the trumpets was the self realization that I am in the right profession. I loved every second that I was in front of those kids, and I didn't want it to end. I was just so happy to actually realize that I am one of the lucky few who have found their passion and have a chance to use that passion every day of my life. For me, there is nothing more amazing than that.
It has been a good week!
I'm glad you had such a great experience, Ian! Teaching is very rewarding. Your anticipation of what might go wrong is just like determining where problem spots might be in a new piece of repertoire. Being ready for those things is part of what makes a good teacher.
ReplyDeletetk