#283. Education

#283. Education

B. F. Skinner stated, “Education is what survives when what has been learned has been forgotten.” And that, my friends, really frames what we do, and more importantly, why we do it. As music teachers, we pass along so much information, teach so many skills, share so...
#282. Where, But Not What

#282. Where, But Not What

Though I know your teaching day is long and exhausting, with a seemingly endless list of tasks and responsibilities, I ask that you take a few minutes to find a quiet place. Maybe grab a cup of coffee or tea. Take a few relaxing breaths. Then read the following...
#281. One Thing

#281. One Thing

The other day, I saw a sign that asked, “What’s something you’ve been meaning to try but just haven’t gotten around to?” And it got me thinking and asking myself questions: “What’s one thing I want to know but haven’t gotten around to doing?  What’s one thing I want...
#280. Impossible

#280. Impossible

Though I doubt we could ever agree on the hardest aspects of being a teacher, I think overcoming a student’s feeling that a goal is impossible, simply because they haven’t achieved it yet, must number high on that list. On those occasions, a healthy dose of our making...
#279. Everything

#279. Everything

Every once in a while, you come across words that need no clarification, can’t be improved upon, and are just perfect in their power, simplicity, and truth. These words of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe are a great example. I would love to write paragraphs elaborating on...