Chai and Jackie O!: 2015

Tuesday, December 29, 2015

Wrapping it Up

An ever present statement, "I cannot believe how much has happened," yet again rears its head as we quickly approach the end of 2015 and the beginning of 2016. As I look back at all that has happened since graduation, I am completely amazed and cannot wait to see what happens come January 1st.

I graduated from Converse College and yet ended back on its lovely campus two weeks later to spend the majority of my summer break completing a special education practicum. The Washington Center in Greenville, South Carolina, provides a summer school program for special needs students who are in need of year round services. I worked with three inspiring ladies and a class of eight students ages seven to ten and was in a state of constant exhaustion yet loved every minute of it.

Considering I spent my first summer as a college graduate completing a teaching class and interviewing for teaching jobs across the state, it should have come as no surprise when I decided to accept a teaching position for fall 2015 rather than pursuing graduate school.

Come August 1, I moved into an apartment in Florence, South Carolina, with two dear friends and fellow music educators and began my career. To say I was lucky enough to get my dream job of an already established middle school band program would have been a lie. However, what I did get was something completely and unexpectedly perfect. I am now the teacher at a 3rd through 5th grade school, as well as a 4k through eighth grade school--general music, chorus, and band all in one. Or I guess two if we are being technical.

Had anyone from Dr. Foy's elementary music class known that I had not only willingly accepted but wished and prayed to be offered this job, they probably would have thought I had officially lost my mind. To say that I was the worst in the class when teaching elementary music lessons would have been an understatement. I was awkward, rarely successful in teaching my concept, and dreaded with a burning passion the days I had to teach that class. I had decided any younger than sixth grade was definitely not for me. Yet as fate often does, I ended up interviewing with two principals at elementary schools and fell in love.

As the first day of school approached, I relived those horrid elementary music class days in my mind and hoped that I had somehow gained the ability to teach this grade level. And what I have found over the past five months is that I absolutely love teaching elementary school. Don't get me wrong, I still dream of teaching in an established middle school band program where I can assist with the local high school marching band, but until that day arrives I am more than content.

So far, I have started the process of building a brand new band program for my fifth through eighth grade students at one school, completed four separate winter programs which included all different music plus three guitar ensembles consisting of 66 students. I sent 16 students to the district honor choir and had over 200 students audition for our brand new school honor choir.

Even though I'm sure I'll be just as stressed this coming January, I look forward to more exciting things with my students. If you are interested in keeping updated on my teaching, head to my other blog:

http://postcardsandmusic.blogspot.com/.

Thursday, May 21, 2015

I...graduated

So like normal, I didn't do such a great job keeping the blog updated. The 41 days to graduation have since passed and I cannot believe that I am now a college graduate. I am now back at home, and will update you on what the past 45 days have been like.

When you take middle schoolers to Atlanta and they count the tubas under the bus only to realize two were left in South Carolina.

When the people above your apartment decide to move furniture at 12:30AM the night before your job interview.

When you say "I don't have anything else to do" and then somebody reminds you that you actually do.

When you have your last orchestra and wind ensemble as an undergrad and you don't know how to feel.

When your middle schoolers give you their piano music less than a week before the performance and it's NOT easy.

When your model league team-given award is "Best Dressed in Class and Sass."

When the food is so good at your professors' houses for the Progressive Dinner.

When you survive the Praxis music test at 8:00am Monday morning.

When it's a free bar at the Senior BBQ.

But then girls take it too far. (This is supposed to be a classy event people!)

When highschoolers cat call at you from their mini van.

When graduation rehearsal takes two hours, and you haven't eaten all day.

When they sat the chocolate cake on your table before the entrée came at the candlelight dinner.

When everybody starts crying and toasting their best friends at the end of dinner, and you feel like you're the only one not crying.

Everyone:

Me:

When you have to say goodbye to the middle schoolers you now love!

Putting your gown on for the first time at the Baccalaureate service.

Picture time, picture time, picture time.

What it's like drinking mimosas the morning of graduation with the roommates.

When you realize this is the last time you'll be in your apartment.

When you hold your diploma at graduation!!

When your Little surprises you after graduation.

Still can't believe I'm done at Converse College. But I can't wait to see what this upcoming year has in store, whether it be graduate school or a teaching job.

love always,

Sunday, April 5, 2015

41 Days!

Since there are only 41 days between me and graduation, I figured it was only fitting to put together a post that perfectly illustrates what one feels when your college days are coming to an end...Enjoy!