#226. Every New Beginning

I recently spoke at a start-of-the-new-school-year professional development day for a very large school district. It was the first day back for the teachers. As I surveyed the room, it was clear that the range of experience was as wide as you’d expect. I came to find out that many teachers were starting their very first year in the profession, and at the other extreme, one gentleman was about to start his fortieth – and last – year. At the start of the day, during the welcome and announcements, the supervisor of music congratulated that seasoned veteran teacher on his tenure and asked him to offer a few words to the staff as they began the year. I sat in anticipation wondering what he would say. His advice: “Your career will happen in a blink. Take time to enjoy it.” As many of us start another school year, we might do no better than to remember his words and savor every minute we get to teach music. With everything that needs to happen in the early weeks of a new school year, it’s easy to lose sight of that, and of what is truly important in our profession.

Peter Loel Boonshaft, Director of Education
KHS America