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Making a comeback?

Posted by boomerang on 11/21/2024, 11:16 am

I was a band director for a few years after college, then switched careers. I am entertaining the idea of returning in some capacity, but I don't know if it is possible. It has been a long time.

Has anybody come back to the band world after a *very* long break?

I will be eligible for retirement in about 8 years, so I have considered finding a way to just volunteer somewhere as an extra assistant at that time, but I don't know if anyone would be willing to entertain that option.

Or I could spend the next 8 years getting my ducks in a row and try to get hired somewhere...

Just thinking out loud and looking for advice or thoughts anyone might have. Suggestions on what to work on to achieve this goal if I choose to pursue it? What would you do if you were trying to make a comeback?

Re: Making a comeback?

Posted by Private on 11/22/2024, 5:52 pm, in reply to "Making a comeback?"

Have you considered teaching private lessons? If you're anywhere in DFW, or the other major metros, many schools bring in lesson teachers during the day. I know several who are retired from their career and happily teaching privately. A good lesson teacher can quickly build up enough students to teach full-time or more if you want. Many districts are at $25 for 30 minutes now. That would get you a foot in the door in a district or three, and some solid current references to help you move into a band directing job.

You could also consider private school. They pay less, but the time commitment is lower, and it's easier to get in the door. I have friends who teach private school and love it. They send me photos of the fun they're having on the weekends while I'm at a football game or contest. It's also another way to (re)build the resume if you want a public school job.

Re: Making a comeback?

Posted by Arthur "Two Sheds" Jackson on 11/22/2024, 9:08 am, in reply to "Making a comeback?"

Well - Mrs. Sheds took a 9 year break from teaching band to be a stay at home mom for our three kids. She got back in when our two youngest reached school age and she's killing it as a small school head director. It CAN be done!

Arthur "Two Sheds" Jackson

Re: Making a comeback?

Posted by Me on 11/21/2024, 1:21 pm, in reply to "Making a comeback?"

Band directing is a young person's game unless you're willing to work in a non-optimal situation. Small town, inner city, or the like. That being said, it's VERY difficult to get back in once you've been out.

The older you get, the more you don't have first division ratings, the more you can't get back in the interview room. Sad but true.

Your best bet, realistically, would be to be a degreed substitute and JUST take music jobs. Especially if you live in a metro area - you can be a sub for five or six districts and just take band/music jobs for the districts around you.

There are several long-term sub jobs posted on TMEA right now that might be up your alley if you're local. That's also a foot in the door.

Re: Making a comeback?

Posted by Obi Ron Kenobi on 11/21/2024, 12:01 pm, in reply to "Making a comeback?"

I've been teaching 24 years and I believe society is different than when I started, so I expect kids are different than when you last taught. Example; social media, school shootings and transgender issues were not things we discussed in the year 2000. But the horns still work the same and the music still looks the same.

Several UIL rules have changed.

If your goal is to help kids learn to be better people, Dive on in!! You may have to change your standards. I believe I've been forced to lower the bar as to what "be better" means.

If your primary goal is to create an ensemble that plays really hard music with amazing quality, be sure to pick a community that fits that goal.

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