I'M a 13 year high school band director with half being a head at a 6A. I made the leap to a head middle school gig with an assistant 3C. I love HS and I felt like I was starting to get the hang of it🙃. I chose to make the leap to spend more time with my little 1 year old and wife. HS is so demanding in time, it's hard to be at home when we have summer camps, rehearsals, football games, comps, parades etc. But I loved every minute, especially creating positive relationships/reports with the kids and community.
I've always tried to support my middle school feeders and my team and I would go everyday and that's what I've been use to. To be honest, I'm scared sh**less because I don't know the time scales for teaching theory, mouth piece, instrument along with pacing to where the kids know a good chunk when they go to 7th and 8th grade.
Any words of encouragement or insight to have a smooth transition would be greatly appreciated.
Congratulations on your move! Middle school is a completely different monster (as you know), but the big fun is in seeing the light in the little one's eyes when they get something for the first time.
Talk to other MS directors as see how they handle their beginners, then go from there. Remember that tone is king! Technique will come naturally.