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Me, a Music Teacher?
Dec 20, 2007 Categorized: News •
I’ve never been a school teacher in my life. I’ve never even wanted to be a school teacher. My college degree was not in music, although I did probably spend enough time in the music building at Louisiana Tech as an accompanist to have earned one there. And I didn’t know a thing about how to create a comprehensive music curriculum for Kindergarten through fourth grade. So I was pretty dumbfounded when the principal of Will’s preschool asked to me to be the music teacher THE WEEK BEFORE SCHOOL STARTED. With NO curriculum.
God Provides
I didn’t really have time to say yes. But with Will’s 5-day-a-week preschool tuition not really finding a place in the already jam-packed budget, I couldn’t really justify not taking the position. And I felt a strange sense that God was giving this to me as a means to provide for our needs as well as the needs of the school children. It’s funny that He very seldom just drops the money we need right out of the sky. We usually have to work very hard for it. But he does ALWAYS provide the work.
God Equips
So I embarked upon the challenging journey of becoming a music teacher, trusting that God would qualify me since He had first called me. He always does that, you know. He takes completely incapable people and molds them into useful tools to accomplish His greater purposes. While I still don’t consider myself a qualified or trained music educator, I do see God giving me just what I need, in terms of resources, knowledge, and patience, to build a musical foundation in all 53 children at the Christian academy. He doesn’t give me any more than I need, but He doesn’t give me any less either.
The Best Teacher
While I have zero training in music education, I do have a whole bunch of musical experiences from which to draw my lesson plans. For one thing, I watched the WORLD’S BEST MUSIC DIRECTOR every Sunday of my childhood. My dad put on some musical concerts and dramas like you’ve never seen before--Easter Passion plays with sets so real they took you to Golgotha, Singing Christmas Trees filled with choir members and highly programmed lights that danced with every song, Fourth of July Spectaculars with full orchestras and balloon launches at the end. You name it, he’s done it.
The Christmas Concert
So the night before our school’s Christmas concert, I was calling my dad up to find out how to conduct a choir in 3/4 time. I’ve got 4/4 down pat. I practiced it when I was a kid. But that 3/4 evaded me completely. (That’s when the measure has 3 beats.) And I really wished for a Tuxedo with tails (or a formal dress), a string section warming up, and a lighted baton the night of the concert. Really I had on a denim skirt and a red sweater and nothing but my bare hand to conduct, but in my mind, the event was just as grand as one of Jim Faull’s productions.
The kids did a phenomenal job with their singing, speaking parts, choreography, and mini-drama. They even wore flash gloves that were red on one side and white on the other to make the choreography even more impressive (like back in my pep squad days with the Chaparrals.) I was so proud of them, and I think the parents were too. It totally amazed me to see my feeble attempts turned into a beautiful choir by God himself.
I still don’t know much about how to teach a music class. And I still don’t have time to do it. But one day and one lesson plan at a time, God is teaching me that He really doesn’t need my time or knowledge anyway. He’s got it covered.
Hollabacks
HI Heather!!! I was so excited to get your Christmas card! Your kids are so adorable and look a spittin image like the two of you. Side note- when you married that big guy, all I could think about was how you would be delivering one of his giant children one day… But it looks like you made it. Anyway, I loved reading your music teacher blog. For the record, it doesn’t matter if you have had 10 years of experience and 3 music degrees whatever. When you are suddenly in charge of a choir, adults or children, it is utter confusion and nerves. I have been doing it since I left Tech. Each experience has been different but WONDERFUL and has seasoned me to be what I am today. I have had opportunities to work with great kids, talented vocalists and sing under world famous conductors and such. You will be a success at this. You were able to experience this stuff in college. You heard good -and lots of bad. Not to mention, you were there to here judge’s comments and compliments. Free education for you.
Currently, I am living (have been for 4 years now) in Kennesaw Ga. It’s a fabulous suburb just northwest of Atlanta. I have three kiddos (no more). Andy, who is 9, Cullen, who is 4 and Charlotte, who is 9 months old. I still have my choco lab, Gracie, who is 10. My younger sis, Raynah, is living with us at the moment so that she can save up for a hosue of her own- she came with the added bonus of 2 dogs… Anyway, we are a full happy house. I have my own calligraphy business that keeps me slammed except around Thanksgiving and Christmas. That is when I travel. Fletch works as a civil engineer for GA dept of Transportation, designing the interstates and highways. We have been married 10 years now. When I get a chance, I will send some pics of my motley crew. Happy New Year. I tried to condense 7 yrs in one email. I hope you are lovin life.
-Faith
Posted by Faith Miller on 01/01 at 10:21 AM
