It's Easier the Second Year

This is my first time teaching at the same school two years in a row. What a difference! The first day of school was great: seeing students and getting hugs. I knew what paperwork to expect, where everything was in my classroom, and what I needed to do to get the year off to a great start.

It's really neat seeing students I had last year remember what they learned last year. All the time spent drilling concepts into their heads was not spent in vain. Students who didn't say much of anything last year now throw their hands in the air to answer questions. They get excited when something they remember from last year finally makes sense. Several students said to me,"We didn't sing this well this early last year." And all I can do is smile and recognize that hard work does pay off. Students won't get bored reviewing music basics year after year because it boosts their confidence and makes them stronger musicians.