Falc'in good time.

Well, the subbing has started in full force! Last week I subbed Thursday at Muir Elementary School and considering if was my first day subbing and a full day of teaching general music it went really well. I was nervous because I felt rusty and unprepared, but it all comes back and the plans weren't too bad. Friday I subbed for Orchestra in the morning at Lafollette and East HS Band in the afternoon. I opted to rehearse the orchestra instead of watch August Rush and thankfully, the director was pleased to hear that I was a music sub and that I rehearsed them. He emailed me back (I like to send teachers an email at the end of every assignment because my handwriting isn't so hot and then they have my email address) and asked if I was comfortable teaching beginning strings too because he travels to elem. schools in the afternoons. I think I can handle it so we'll see if he calls. Then I hurried over to East and was late because I got out of Lafollette late due to a different bell schedule for their homecoming assembly. They had a "veg" day planned so I made sure to leave him a message that I am a music sub and today he had me teaching music so that was cool. Monday I subbed in music at Brooklyn in Oregon. It's actually a village south of Oregon so it took over 25 minutes to get there, but now I know. It wasn't a terrible day, but it was one where you come home with a headache. The teacher's room was "da bomb". She had a big room, with lots of Orff instruments and posters of Kodaly so you can tell she does a lot of both. It was a lot of October songs with a CD so easy in a way, but hard because you can't hear the kids singing and there's no real lesson to it so it's a little awkward. She had a huge office connected to the room with her computer, shelves, and a frickin futon. Sweet.
Tuesday was the day we've all been waiting for. I subbed for Liz and it was pretty funny. Even though the kids know we're "twins", they still question whether or not we're telling the truth about who we are. Like, if Liz wears her hair different or her glasses they accuse her of sending me to school, but the first day I actually was the one there, they thought it was her pulling their leg. The younger kids especially, have a hard time fathoming two identical adults so I had to pull out a picture of the 3 of us and show each class which one is their music teacher, which one will be a guest teacher, and which one doesn't live in Madison. I showed them my earring and so they now know a "secret" to telling us apart. Overall, hearing Liz's stories every day about the kids gave me a major advantage, along with looking like their normal teacher. They were fairly well behaved all day and I had a lot of fun. When I would sing they would look like magic just happened and that we have the same voice, which I find hilarious because I thought our voices were different and Liz is WAY better at matching pitch. But more so than in any other college experience or in EC schools, when I am alone and have good plans I am a good elementary teacher. I've found out how to keep kids interest and feel less inhibited with my singing voice, so I can let go a lot more and have a lot more fun. Now, in no way do I want to teach elementary music permanently. But I am finding that my experiences subbing for elem music in Madison will have a great influence on my future teaching in the middle and high schools. It serves as a strong reminder to keep general music concepts and curriculum in mind after they are doing all the "performance"-related things (playing instruments, singing, marching, etc.). There are times where I feel like elem music is a totally different from MS/HS, but in many ways it is all the same. If a band director approached their rehearsal in the way an elem teacher tends to (i.e. planning multiple activities, purposeful lessons on concepts, extensions, relating to culture and history) then they are actually doing their job. Elementary concepts are the building blocks and precursor to being able to assemble these performance-based ensembles and we should utilize what students already know. I don't remember what I learned in elem. school, but I'm pretty sure starting band was like starting from scratch. This is a quarter note, this is an A, this is a march....Middle school band directors should relate back to ta's and titi's to help students realize that they already know half of what they are learning, but are learning a different, more advanced approach and language. Whoa. Rant.
So today I spent the morning at East again. They have a Beginning Instrumental Music class for non-band kids to come in a learn an instrument. Just 7 kids and mostly looking for an easy A, but it's a cool opportunity. Tomorrow, Friday, and Monday I'm subbing at Huegel Elem. which is really close to our apt. (Billie went there!) for the music teacher because her son is playing in Carnegie Hall. She mailed plans to Liz's school and they look fine. I'm nervous about spending 3 days in one place, but subbing for MMSD pays so well that I can't complain about anything. My first paycheck should be around $625 from MMSD and $90 for Oregon (both OCt. 30th). From then on I should be earning about $1500-2000 a month, depending on how many days are spent in MMSD ($141 a day) vs. Verona/Oregon ($95 a day). I can't tell you how badly I am looking forward to getting those checks. I want to be debt free by the end of the year! Then I can focus on school loans.
McFarland called me about becoming a sub and it's sort of annoying because I left them multiple messages after applying 5 weeks ago. I'll just email them and tell them no. If I'm staying busy with music 5 days a week there is no point adding another district. I haven't even subbed in Verona yet, because every time they call I'm already at a MMSD school. Next week I'm subbing Monday at Huegel, and supposed to teach music at Emerson for a full day Tuesday. I'm hesitant and might cancel because people are now telling me that it's the school for homeless kids and it's off of E Johnson street so....either I'll go to add to my repertoire of experiences or for some good stories. I feel bad because it's one of the first jobs I accepted and so she's planned on me for 2 weeks. We'll see. THEN I'm subbing for Liz already again on Nov. 4th (Music in the morning, Kindergarten in the afternoon) and Nov. 6th and 16th (?) at Huegel again. Dr. Eckel at East said he had some dates in mind for me and with all the teachers I've subbed for and Kyle Peterson and the teachers Liz has given my information to, I have a list of people requesting me that is MUCH longer than it was in EC (oddly enough).
Still getting used to getting up early, even though I've mastered going to bed early. I'm SOOOO looking forward to homecoming. I hope I'm not disappointed. I promise I won't bother Becky to get crazy! :) I just feel like I have a lot to do before we leave Madison. Now that I'm at school all day and sharing stories with Liz all night, my to-do list has been a little neglected. Number one thing I need to do soon is apply for the longterm sub job in Middleton at one of the middle schools and the high school (.66). That would be sweeeeeeeeet. It's for January 25th through April 1st and I think I'd make about the same as subbing, but having a regular gig would be a relief.
So full. So, so very full. So much for losing weight. I watch Biggest Loser religiously (it's a great season, btw) but it hasn't done much motivating. I felt like I needed to focus on subbing and everything this week, but I desperately need to get better about working out and eating less. We'll go 3 days in a row and then not for 5-6 days, or even longer. ah! So frustrating. I've actually gained 1 lb. wtf? Oh well. As long as I'm leading a productive life, right? I'm hoping to find some more ways to be involved in Madison music. I should find time to contact Madison Alumnae chapter for SAI or the Boys and Girls Club drumline or email the sax professor to find out about any playing opportunities. I'd even play in a quartet of freshman sax majors, but at least get some performance/practice in. I miss playing, but I admit I'm not too upset about it. I've played once since the move and some people would have shriveled up a died by now, but I just know that I'll eventually find a way to make everything work and once I get a band job I'll have a practice room and time on my hands, not to mention all of the horn on face time I'll have teaching lessons and full band. Um..........I got nothing else. So, I'll write more post-homecoming festivities.