Klarinet Archive - Posting 000510.txt from 1997/03

From: Bob <laker29@-----.NET>
Subj: Re: ATTENTION BAND DIRECTORS!!
Date: Sat, 15 Mar 1997 08:35:27 -0500

At 6:14 PM 3/14/97, Kathi A wrote:
>Hello. I have two questions for ANY and ALL of the band directors (if any)
>that are subscribed to this list. Why did you decide to teach band? Do you
>plan to do that until you retire? Thank you so much for sharing.
> --<-{= Kathi A =}->--
Hi Kathi -
When I was in college, and even before, I had a strong desire to share
what I had learned about Clarinet, Band & Orchestra with others! I taught
Clarinet for a Local Music Store while I was in H.S.; taught Clarinet in
Catholic Schools in early Coll.; and taught in the Univ. Prep.Dept. in
upper years.
I am now in my 31st consecutive, full time year of teaching since
completing B.A. & M.A. in '66!
I plan to retire in May of 2001 at age 58, and with Teachers' retirement,
Army Reserve retirement (yes, Band) and TSA Accounts plus ??Social
Security??(who knows?)! I am told that I will have a better spendable
income than I have now.
I have been fortunate to be in a school system where I could move around
as the opportunity presented it'self, and yet have very good bands at all
levels!
People ask which level has been my favorite, and honestly it's the one I
was doing at the time! Jr. High is the hardest to motivate, Sr. High is
the most time-consuming, and Elem. is the most important to the Dist. &
very rewarding!
It's interesting, that there were some who said "If you can't play -
teach!" when I was at Drake University, however, to a person - they all now
teach! My attitude at that time, as it has been all along, to play & teach
as well as, or better than, anyone I know! I have tried to do that!
Anyone who has taught for 20 years in public school knows that your
playing will suffer eventually! I know that I don't play as well as I did
30 years ago, but that happens to almost all... If I had it all to do
over I would make the same Carreer Choices, and I am proud of my students,
and they are very appreciative of what I have been able to give them.
Bob Lake - Band Dir./Clarinet & Sax player
Edina Public Schools
Edina, MN <laker29@-----.net>

   
     Copyright © Woodwind.Org, Inc. All Rights Reserved    Privacy Policy    Contact charette@woodwind.org