The Yellow Board

Thinking about teaching MS next year

Posted by Tired on 8/4/2022, 10:03 pm

Looking for some advice.

I have been teaching for the entirety of my career as a HS band director in some capacity and have enjoyed it. However as I am getting older, I am noticing that the hours and demand of marching band is putting a strain on my health, family, and other obligations outside of work. I love teachings kids of all ages and don't plan to stop any time soon.

I am thinking about exploring options of teaching MS in the next coming years and I was curious from those of you who have gone from HS to MS or vice versa what your experiences are.

Thanks

Re: Thinking about teaching MS next year

Posted by RMSBD on 8/6/2022, 7:30 am, in reply to "Thinking about teaching MS next year "

I spent my entire 35-year career teaching grade 8 and lower and I highly recommend teaching MS. I don't regret doing that at all and would do it again. The teaching vs. organizing ratio is quite different too as in my opinion you spend more time teaching and less time organizing. I truly enjoyed maybe 90% of my career at that level. Go for it.

Re: Thinking about teaching MS next year

Posted by Retired on 8/5/2022, 4:50 pm, in reply to "Thinking about teaching MS next year "

Taught both. MS is more work during the day and less after school. Sectional schedules and class rehearsal time can be maximized so that you are going home at the end of the day and not spending hours on end outside of class.

Pick appropriate music and split up during class. Go home when the bell rings.

October will still be busy if you do recruiting games with the HS, MS all region etc. But you'll have a couple of busy months during the year instead of a couple of free weekends as a high school director.

If I ever went back to teaching it would be in the middle school. High school is for the young and the single.

Re: Thinking about teaching MS next year

Posted by Did It on 8/5/2022, 4:16 pm, in reply to "Thinking about teaching MS next year "

MS schedule:

--one week band camp (3 hours per day with a concert on Friday night as a culmination)
--normal workday is 7am-5pm including a 1 hour and 20 minute sectional each day after school
--Saturday master classes 10am-12noon from Sept 1 through Oct 15

What MS schedule lacks:
--no demands on Christmas break
--no demands on July 4
--no Friday night games (4pm until 11pm minimum through football season)
--no Saturday marching contests
--no jazz band
--no winter guard
--no school musical
--no indoor drumline
--no graduation demands

Teaching middle school is DELIGHTFUL relative to teaching HS in my opinion.

Re: Thinking about teaching MS next year

Posted by Only if... on 8/6/2022, 8:18 am, in reply to "Re: Thinking about teaching MS next year "

You are not required to help with the high school, with or without a stipend....I've done both.

Re: Thinking about teaching MS next year

Posted by Me on 8/5/2022, 3:37 pm, in reply to "Thinking about teaching MS next year "

MS isn't a "step down." You have to work just as hard with those kids as you do with HS kids.

The biggest benefit is that you'll be working many, many fewer hours. No Friday Night football games. No marching band practice.

Go for it.

Re: Thinking about teaching MS next year

Posted by TPT1 on 8/5/2022, 11:20 am, in reply to "Thinking about teaching MS next year "

I went from MS to HS over the past 5 years and you are absolutely right about the demand at the HS. I wanted out after the 1st year of teaching HS. I learned to value the time I had over summer, and my relationship is honestly suffering because I'm never home....LITERALLY! I will be looking for a MS gig next year. My sanity and life are more important. I love my job but not at the expense of my life crumbling down. Hope this helps.

Re: Thinking about teaching MS next year

Posted by Tired as well on 8/5/2022, 9:06 am, in reply to "Thinking about teaching MS next year "

I was an assistant and moved to the MS level and loved it. I loved the HS as well but it is time consuming. The middle school has been great to me and I don't regret the decision.

Re: Thinking about teaching MS next year

Posted by Old dude on 8/6/2022, 10:57 am, in reply to "Re: Thinking about teaching MS next year "

Done both and hated being a toad at the mercy of the head Director. I returned to being the head director after 2 tiresome years. If you are not an assistant to the head director you may be okay, but I liked being in charge of the program answerable to no one (except administration).

« Back to index

[ The Yellow Board ]