That sneer they give you when you tell them where you teach and how many kids are in your band, or when you tell them you teach k-12. Almost like they're soooo sorry you have to teach in such an inferior place, but really they are thinking they should walk away because you have nothing to give to them. Because who would want to teach in a place like that? Who would CHOOSE to do that?
I do. Lots of other people, do too. And let me tell you something, Mr. "I'm going to wear my suit with my hideously pretentious tie all weekend", I love my job. I wouldn't trade jobs with you if they fired you tomorrow and called saying "Hi, we just fired Mr. Assypants, would you like his job? We realized he wasn't actually TEACHING."
Because you're not teaching. You aren't teaching those kids a darn thing. Those kids come to you, with your monetary community support, whose parents can afford to have one parent stay at home so you ALWAYS have someone to help for contests, and you take ALL of the credit. Every last lick, for those kids who have taken private lessons with Mr. or Ms. Notyou, and you stand up and pretend you taught those kids what they know. When was the last time you called and thanked those lesson teachers for everything they've taught them? You might have gotten out of class to bring them to All State, but you didn't teach them how to play in the correct key, you don't walk over to them and say "Hey, maybe if you ......." Their lesson teacher does that. They come to you knowing these things. That is not the job I want. That is not the job I've got. You couldn't trade me for it all, you couldn't trade me not at all.
You don't have to teach your kids anything except putting pieces together. Which I guess, could be considered fun. If you don't like challenges. If you don't like the amazing feeling that comes with listening to your band play their pieces for the concert and you're listening for it and by the time the piece ends you realize you didn't hear it. BECAUSE THEY HIT ALL THE ACCIDENTALS FOR THE FIRST TIME. You probably don't know all of your students like I know my students. I know that one of my students struggles with just about everything, but she'll come to me for help with her reading. (She reads about 2 grade levels behind, and knows that I love to read. She also knows I make no judgements and I am patient). I have another student that takes piano with me who is several grade levels behind her peers in all her subjects. She has to repeat the same piece about 900 times (No, I'm not kidding.) in order for it to stick. This makes for very frustrating (for me) lessons, especially as she does not often practice. She has been taking lessons with me for a very long time, and you know what? She loves it AND she has improved academically. I am a very patient person when my kids are involved.
Oh, it gets frustrating, repeating things for the millionth time, and they keep making the same mistakes. Sometimes I come home and I want to take a long hot bath with a nice adult beverage and pretend the day didn't exist. Sometimes I want to yell, scream, cry, and sometimes I do those things when my kids aren't around. But I love knowing my students, every one of them. I don't forget about the kid who sits last chair clarinet (who, in my band, doesn't actually play, but will help me with anything I ask, and is nice to EVERYONE). I teach k-12. If they don't know it, I have no one to blame but myself. I get to wear many hats, be many different age levels. I am challenged on a daily basis and I get to TEACH.
* Yes, I will admit that there are those directors who are in the same position as Mr. Assypants and still manage to teach their students something. Even if you are not teaching notes, you can still teach something. (composition, history, etc.) Many of the directors like Mr. Assypants focus on winning trophies and contests, not on teaching their students.
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