Dad Revisited

I have a mission. I’m sure we all have a mission. I’m speaking of my mission in the faith. I’ll never be a real evangelist, but my mission, although small in it’s scope must be of some value.

I am to change the lives of children. Not all of them, but those that are placed before me. As a music teacher you might wonder just how much change can you effect in a child’s life in 40 minutes a week?

Sure, the classroom teacher sees them for six hours each day. I only see them for 40 minutes. But I see them for years. As the only classroom music teacher in the building I often have children for multiple years. It goes me a chance to set standards. A chance to develop relationships. A chance to effect long-term change.

I hold pretty high standards for kids. Not for their performance, but for their conduct. My role as a teacher is to change children and him they act. Children should be putting forth their best whenever possible.

This has not always made me a favorite with parents. When I hold children accountable for their actions (either as an administrator or a teacher) parents have been known to … bristle. They take it as an attack on their parenting. They frequently jump to the defense of their kids. “My child would never do that.”

Wouldn’t it be great if it were true? It’s not. Teachers are there to act in the capacity of parent when they are not present. In loco parentis. I take that job seriously, no matter what the age of the children. Apologies must be made and must be heartfelt. Hitting is unnacceptable. Speak in a civil tone to all. Try your hardest.

Show respect for all. Your teacher by doing your best work. Your family by representing them well when you are apart. Your friends by standing with them doing your part. Yourself by taking your education seriously and learning because smart is always cool.

How’s that for a mission?