Dispositions

I think dispositions can only be taught through experience. In writing each disposition we were to reflect on a significant experience that has shaped our idea on the subject. I think it is important to reflect on these dispositions. I liked the blog because it was a relaxed way of gathering and writing down our thoughts on each disposition. I think it would be good to reflection on each of these dispositions yearly in order to see what experiences we may add or see how an experience has changed our interpretation.

Interested in reading blogs of teachers?

Click here for a hilarious blog from an anonymous elementary school teacher

Click here for a blog by a substitute teacher

Click here for a blog by an inner city teacher

Click here for a special-ed blog

Click here for a tech-savvy teacher's blog

Click here for hands-on activties blog

Resilience

I think the best way to prepare teachers for the stresses related to teaching is through exposure and practice. I have taken three instrumental courses so far and the most effective of these has been the Double Reeds course. Of the three, this course offered me the most practical experience. Each student is required to teach one lesson during class time. While the student teaches, all the other students pretend they're fifth graders and make common mistakes for the practicing teacher to correct. Each student is also required to give a ten minute lesson of the instrument upon completion of the unit to an outside student. This means we taught both a beginning oboe and bassoon lesson.

I feel like many teachers quit within the first three years because they did not fully know what they were getting into. They did not get exposed to the future problems while they were in college and were therefore not prepared for them. I feel the J-term observation course is a very good step to give real-life experience. It is good to start this kind of process early in college to decide if teaching is really the career you want to pursue. I know people who took a J-term observation course and decided it was not what they wanted to do. Although I do not have to take this course until my junior year I am choosing to also observe this year to try and get as much exposure and experience as I can. I have not decided what age group I would like to teach yet, so I am hoping several J-term experiences in different setting will help my narrow my path. If I realize I can't stand elementary kids after three weeks, then I know general elementary music is not the place for me. But maybe I'll fall in love with elementary music in J-term. Both realizations are valuable. I am also thinking about applying as a counselor for Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp. I have experience as a camp counselor, but working at a fine arts camp would be even more beneficial to a music education career.

While in teaching it is important to save things to remind you of your accomplishments. These pick-me-ups will help you when you're feeling stuck-in-a-rut. I know my choir teacher had a "happy box" where she saved things to remind herself why she was in education. It might be helpful to display inspiring quotes or accomplishments of your students in your office. It is also good to seek out a mentor from who you can seek advice.

Humility

Admitting you're wrong about something is not always easy to do. This is especially true in an argument or debate. I feel it is easier to admit I'm wrong over something that is factual rather than in a debate. For example, when working on an assignment with someone it is easy for me to admit I did the problem wrong and work to fix it. However, if I am debating with someone about something a little more controversial I have a hard time admitting I'm wrong. I was just talking with someone about the issue of separation of church and state and I was getting so fired up that I would not admit that I had the slightest chance of being wrong about my stance. He made the point that I wasn't even really listening to his argument and then gave another example. I really tried to listen with open mind and it made sense to me. I did not admit I was wrong, but at least I actually listened to his side and allowed myself to see the validity of his point.

This is probably the most important thing about humility: an open mind. If you are able to listen with an open mind to other people's thoughts, opinions, or ideas you will gain so much more from them. For example, as a teacher I will need to collaborate with other teachers and will perhaps be on some sort of a planning committee. I need to gather everyone's input with an open mind and be humble enough to realize my ideas might not be the best for the project at hand.

In regards to student-teacher relationships, I feel it is very important to be honest with your students when you make a mistake or are wrong about something. It is better for you to admit your mistake than to try to hide it and have the students find out later. If they find out on their own you are going to lose credibility. They will always question whether you actually know what you are talking about or not.