Here amid the angst and excitement of starting my 31st marching band season and school year, Im lost in a sea of budget actuals and projections trying to make sense of a system which, at one and the same time, doesnt want to see reality, while at the same time, demands an accurate picture. Im looking over class lists, marveling at the inexperience of my in-comers, and the small numbers of experienced Jr. High musicians. Then the thought comes to me, as it does every year, a reminder from my first true boss as an educator, Dr. Billie Kinsinger. I came in to her office one day frustrated that my kids were not practicing and not progressing like I thought they should be. She got up and closed her office door, took a seat behind her desk and asked, Mr. Heywood, why are you here? Just for a paycheck? Those students are children first. They know nothing about how to play those instruments. That is why weve given you this job and promised you a paycheck. Of course they sound bad now. You are just starting. Work with them, show them how, and see how they do in June. Then come and well talk about student progress. So every year I start with new, fresh faces, wide variety of experience and talent, and pace by pace we work, and practice and play and pray. And though the results vary year to year, we are always better in May, than we are in August: progress is made. This is an exciting process. I cant think of anything more worth my time and effort professionally. I confess, it also does a lot for my soul. Sometimes I think, if Id have just stuck it out, if Id just practiced a little harder, made more effort to be in the proverbial right place, I could have made it. I wonder with a little regret betimes, if Id only made a different choice... But then, as it happens to me now, I get pictures hundreds of faces of kids who are now long since grown, with careers and making contributions to society. Some still play, others have kids (and grandkids) in my music programs. No, I am precisely where I need to be, contributing exactly what my Heavenly Father wants me to, and while Im imperfect and fall way short, I serve where I stand.
Posted on: Sat, 26 Jul 2014 23:55:43 +0000
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