The Yellow Board

Shift

Posted by Observer on 5/6/2022, 5:23 pm

Anyone else notice some great large school directors going to small schools?

Re: Shift

Posted by Been there, done that on 5/9/2022, 1:04 pm, in reply to "Shift"

I've taught 13 years. I did my first 10 years in large schools (MS & HS both). The 5A/6A jobs don't even compare to the small school experience I am in now. Being a small school director has humbled me and made me become a better teacher. If I want to be half as successful as I was in big school, then I have to way more work. I am so grateful to be in small school, and I wouldn't trade this experience for the world!

Re: Shift

Posted by that is interesting on 5/9/2022, 9:36 am, in reply to "Shift"

Small school band is very demanding- if it gets done you have to do it- little or no staff- no FAD- you have to do it- no transportation- you drive- hard to get lesson help- you do it- small budget- you have to really have a long term plan to fix instrumentation.
I have worked 2A,3A and 5A, by far the smaller school was more work.

Re: Shift

Posted by And... on 5/10/2022, 6:30 am, in reply to "Re: Shift"

...yet when big school FADs & HDs have staff openings, scant few of them will even look at the successful "Small School" directors...let alone interview or hire them. I'm sorry, but anyone who can improve a band three ratings within two years deserves at least a phone call.

Re: Shift

Posted by truth on 5/10/2022, 2:41 pm, in reply to "Re: Shift"

There are some FAD's who have never headed a program nor managed a staff. Just an observation.

Re: Shift

Posted by Concur... on 5/11/2022, 4:32 pm, in reply to "Re: Shift"

That's true....and that's why they listen to their buddies who tell them to avoid candidates from certain areas, colleges, past experiences, etc. Because they don't know any better.

For example, a few years ago I was standing in line for one of the TMEA Honor Band performances, and two *known* DFAs were standing in front of me. I wasn't trying to eavesdrop, but they were talking awfully loud.

Their conversation went like this:

DFA 1: "I'm having trouble filling the HD spot at XHS. Not sure who to bring in for an interview."

DFA 2: "You got resumes with you?"

DFA 1: "I've got some with me. [pulls one out] I was impressed with this one: SMC, HB finalist, multiple all-staters every year, OPS finalist...."

DFA 2: "Woah, wait. Did you say 'OPS finalist'?"

DFA 1: "Yeah"

DFA 2: "OPS is that ATSSB contest. You don't want this person...they're just a 'Small School' guy. Not worth you time."

DFA 1: "Oh, well, so much for him." [shoves resume back in briefcase]

I triple dog dare anyone to try and tell me that conversation was an isolated incident.

Re: Shift

Posted by Yes... on 5/10/2022, 3:30 pm, in reply to "Re: Shift"

Yes...if they were art teachers (still fine arts), that would definitely be true.

Re: Shift

Posted by Yes on 5/7/2022, 6:47 am, in reply to "Shift"

I can think of two 5A directors who have chosen to move to smaller schools.

Re: Shift

Posted by No on 5/6/2022, 8:16 pm, in reply to "Shift"