So I'm in year 3 at my current role. When I was first hired as a high school head director, things were great. My predecessor was notoriously a huge jerk, so it almost seemed like the entire campus and community celebrated my arrival. One thing to note about him was that he was here for over a decade and saw a lot of success in his program. However, that last few years that he was here, the program was starting to tank. Numbers were going down significantly and placements in contests were dropping. That is what ultimately led him to leave. On his way out, he made sure to sabotage the program as much as he could, including doing things like going to the middle school and convincing incoming freshman not to join band. He wanted to make sure that whoever took over his program looked bad compared to him. And it kind of worked because I struggled a bit to pick up the pieces after he left.
It seems like as soon as we started going to contests and receiving lower placements (we were still being pretty competitive, however), the community sentiment towards me seemed to change.
All of a sudden, I was having kids quit left and right, students were acting out towards me, parents were angry with me for any little thing, etc. One thing that I got put under fire for was my communication skills. I vowed to do better for my parents (and did), but it seemed like it was never enough. Even my admin admitted "Thats funny because the guy before you didnt communicate AT ALL".
My mentors kept assuring me that it would take some time before I'd win them over. But it seems like 3 years in now and its just getting worse. I have one group of parents in particular that are trying to turn all of the other parents against me. Those parents that are on my side tell me all about how they have a group chat that is just complaining about every single thing that I do and trying to find something to get me fired. It seems like I'm getting yelled at daily by parents for simply adhering to the expectations and guidelines outlined in our handbook (that has their signature on it). And other things that are outside of my control, such as the UIL no pass, no play. It always seems to become my fault when I have to tell their child that they cant perform because they failed a class.
Things hit a boiling point last week when a student told me in the middle of class that he wouldn't be going to solo and ensemble because it was a "waste of time". When I assured him he was still expected to be there, he yelled and cussed me out in front of other students. As a result, I had to write him up. His parents were furious. When they talked to admin they said "why should my son be punished when he was just standing up to incompetence?" Admin had my back (they always do), but thats not enough to change these parent's minds about how they feel about me. That student quit band, but made sure to say all kinds of things about me on his way out to all of the other students. Now I'm seeing all kinds of new attitude problems, hearing kids talk in the hallways about how awful their band directors are, and hearing new rumors of kids wanting to quit.
I'm getting really exhausted with it. By my nature, I'm not a confrontational person. I try to treat everyone with respect, regardless if they are treating me the same. I always try to compromise if I can, etc. It's hard having my character attacked on the daily. I start to second guess if I'm a good band director/person. In my last job, it was the complete opposite. The students and community seemed to celebrate me and really made me feel like I was making a difference.
What hurts the most is hearing people talk about the "glory days" of my program when the previous director was here. He was a person that treated everyone like garbage (and ended up getting fired in his new job for embezzling money). And quite frankly, never really even did anything besides talk down to people. He was lucky to have incredible assistant band directors with him that essentially did everything. All of these people didnt last with him and quit, all citing him as the reason they couldnt stay with the program any longer. Being compared to a person like him and seeing people celebrate him as a hero while I'm the villain really crushes me.
I think I'm half venting/half seeking advice. I'm not really sure if there's any solution besides just staying the path and waiting it out. But at this rate, I dont know how much more I can take.
...I've dealt with this in the past. Predecessor got fired...yet kept showing up at every contest. Not just in the stands...would show up in the parking lot.
I came to graduation two years in a row after I left my last job. It was a MS/HS combined program and I had known those kids since they were 12 years old. I was going to come see them step into adulthood.
It's pretty common for people to be against change, even if that change is just you being the new head honcho.
It sounds like this is a head director position? If that is, you'll always have people scrutinize you. You're in a position of power, that alone can make others angry and they'll want to punch up.
People will also see the best in something once it's done and over, but I guarantee if that director came back they would be happy for a couple of months then remember why they were upset (or be too proud to admit it to you).
How long have you been teaching? Is this the first time you've changed schools? Were you a high school director in the past school?
Re: Culture and morale
Posted by Been there on 2/7/2026, 2:34 pm, in reply to "Culture and morale"
Been there, done that. If you can push through the next couple of years the grass gets greener. I took over a similar situation where the long-time band director had seen a decline in the program before he retired. The principal made it clear in the interview that he wanted some changes made. The kids, parents, and even some of the other band staff pushed back hard on standards and accountability. We had a couple of rough years but now we're building a streak of 1st division ratings, finals appearances at marching contest, Region and State kids, and all the other markers of a great program. The culture situation got a little better every year. Some kids graduated out, some left, some were pushed. I had to get a middle school director "reassigned" for their disparaging comments on a group chat with parents. I still have a few parents who remember the "old band director" and want to talk about me on group chat, but at this point they're outnumbered by parents who appreciate high standards for musical performance and student character.
By year 5 the HS kids didn't know any different. By year 8 nobody remembered the previous director except for a few younger siblings. I'm on year 10 now and life is good.
Re: Culture and morale
Posted by Doc Too on 2/7/2026, 11:47 am, in reply to "Culture and morale"
Hang in there, my friend.
In our business, we need numbers. So every single threat to that goal seems like a slap in the face. We all take drop-outs too personally.
If a student can't appreciate you after you have a respectful heart-to-heart session, you and your program are better off without that student.
Recruit in the lower grades, and build quality players. It will become your program soon.
