Monday Blues Cure

As I try to put the best smile I can on, my mind can't help but dread going back to teach after a long fun weekend. Walking in the classroom, I'm anticipating a bad day. The drum line had came in last in the competition over the weekend; not to mention having returned home late that day. As my percussionists come in, they seem to be in a lot better mood than I am. They greet me like they would with one of their close friends. It is shocking to me, as to almost change my entire outlook on the day. But, it is still Monday, so it will take more than some friendly greetings. Who knows? They may have put my Corvette on the school roof by now. When the bell rings, each student pulls up a chair near the area where we watch videos. Before I could even speak, they immediately ask to hear the judges tapes from the competition and watch the video from the competition. This shocks me, as when I normally do this with them, they groan and complain when I ask them to do this. I put in the video and the judges tapes; each student turns a listening ear and a pair of watchful eyes. They carefully note when a judge has called them out for a mistake. Not only for themselves, but their fellow percussionists as well. When it is done, we discuss as a section of what we can do differently and then apply it to practice. We go through specified warm ups, followed by necessary rudiments to improve playing, and finally perform the show music. Everyone is listening and helping each other out when needed. Seeing this, I realize just how much seeing students willing to work brightens my day. To strive to do better, and improve themselves; no matter what the costs.

This, would be the ideal classroom for me.