#123. The Ultimate Measure

#123. The Ultimate Measure

To paraphrase the remarkable Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., “The ultimate measure of a person is not where they stand in moments of comfort and convenience, but where they stand at times of challenge and controversy.” For many of us, this is one of the greatest...
#122. Imagination!

#122. Imagination!

For many of us, this week marks the start of distance-learning, remote-teaching, virtual-classrooms, or any number of other euphemisms for a form of education few of us and our students have ever done before. Though I know some of you have already been doing this for...
#121. Change Is Good

#121. Change Is Good

Before tomorrow’s band rehearsal, change your setup so it is reversed 180 degrees. That’s right, if your students were facing east, have them face to the west. You’ll have to move all the percussion instruments, stands, chairs and your podium, but I’m telling you it’s...
#120.  And Suddenly…

#120. And Suddenly…

At the end of a session I was giving at a music education conference, a new teacher asked me a wonderful – though daunting – question. He said, “I just started my first job teaching at a school with a very weak music program. I want to do great things at this...
#119. My Past Or Their Futures

#119. My Past Or Their Futures

As I think about the multitudinous aspects of being a teacher, I am reminded of the brilliant words of my dear friend – and astounding educator – Bob Phillips, who challenges each of us when he asks: “Am I preparing my students for my past or am I preparing them for...