Posted by Trying to do the right thing on 3/12/2021, 9:41 pm
How do you know when it’s time to leave your school?
I was cut from my first position after year 1 because the district got rid of the assistant director’s position. After that, I took a job as the band director at a very small 3A in DFW. The band program was really young, hadn’t competed, and wasn’t run super well (I say this with a lot of respect for my predecessor, they taught multiple electives and quite honestly didn’t have the time).
I’ve spent the last 2 years building this program. I got the schedule changed to allow for (kind of) homogenous beginner classes open to grades 6-8, and to allow for varsity/non-varsity junior high bands. We also have a high school band and a jazz band. Both the junior high varsity group and the high school group are going to UIL for the first time ever this year, and our beginner and junior high non-varsity groups are going to a festival. I had all-region qualifiers in both junior high and high school. We’re starting a marching band next year as well. COVID was not kind to our numbers, but my kids work hard.
I love my students wholeheartedly. But things have started to get rocky with administration. My husband was my coteacher this year, assisting with band and teaching choir. It was his first year teaching, and he’s already been non-renewed. He didn’t receive much support at all this year, at least not the support that I would expect admin to provide to a first year teacher, and I couldn’t be in any of his choir classes to assist. It’s not a huge deal, he’ll find something. We’re hoping to work as a team again.
Things are already tense with my administration. I have also started to pick up on the fact that they will not be providing me with an assistant next year (leaving me to do 6-12 band + marching alone). If it were up to that environment entirely, I’d already be gone. But I love my students, and I’m worried about what the band will look like next year. The numbers are already so low, and I don’t want them to cut the program entirely. I’m also worried about finding any positions in the DFW area. I think I’m decently qualified with 3 years experience building up programs, 1 year as a department head, and a master’s degree, but it’s so competitive here.
This situation just sucks, and I’d appreciate your advice.
Re: To stay or leave…
Posted by Recently Retired on 4/2/2021, 10:14 am, in reply to "To stay or leave…"
I agree with really retired.
Re: To stay or leave…
Posted by Steve Shoop on 3/14/2021, 9:21 pm, in reply to "To stay or leave…"
(1) Your situation is not unique. Many band directors experience/have experienced these types of issues in their first and even second job. Make the best of it (sounds like maybe you have) and move on.
(2) Find a mentor. That person will help you with pedagogical issues as well as this other situation. A mentor can be obtained (at no cost) through the international bandmasters fraternity Phi Beta Mu. Feel free to contact me and I will put you in touch with someone who can make that happen for you.
(3) Young people are resilient. They will be fine. You must take care of yourself and family.
(4) Draw some boundaries. Do not let this job (or any other) consume you.
Best of luck, Steve Shoop- stephen_shoop@yahoo.com
Re: To stay or leave…
Posted by DesertJazz on 3/13/2021, 9:43 am, in reply to "To stay or leave…"
Very much depends on how entrenched your admins are in my experience. I've been through a few bad ones over the years - left one, and then have had two bad ones I've dealt with in my current district. Both of them took care of getting themselves out the door. Admins in most places seem to change over about every five years, though there are exceptions. I've lost track of the number of principals and superintendents I've had at this point in my current district over the 14 years I've been here.
You mention you're in a 3A as well, I find small districts tend to have pretty frequent turnover rates of admin. Too easy to get on the wrong political side of someone in the community.
That being said you've already said your husband is a persona non grata in your district moving forward. It would be far less awkward for you to find a new place to work I would think.
I disagree. My boss is great, I just dont get paid enough to do THIS job. If the job required less hours and effort, the pay would be fine. I regularly consider quitting due to the pay and responsibilities. My boss has little control over any of those things.
Re: To stay or leave…
Posted by Really Retired on 3/13/2021, 12:12 pm, in reply to "Re: To stay or leave…"
Suggestion: Don't quit your job until you find another. Lots of smaller schools will be looking. Perhaps a package deal (hus.wif) would be a selling point?
