I teach in a low eco dis, low rated school. But we have schools in our district with high scores and very little eco dis.
I’m done trying to keep up with the haves. Our school culture doesn’t care. More than half the school failed the first 6 weeks. It’s literally killing me trying to care and do the work the kids should be doing.
Somehow our program has kept up but we are shrinking year after year because the kids realize it’s work and they don’t want to do that. They can’t even play sports because they fail.
At what point do you just put it back on the kids and say whatever happens, happens???
Re: Motivation
Posted by Dies Irae on 10/5/2026, 11:30 am, in reply to "Motivation"
Meet the students where they are at.
What do I mean? You said, "...trying to keep up with the haves." Is it fair? No. But so what? It’s okay. Kids don't pass? Okay. How does that limit you in the fall or in the spring? All-Region? All-City?
Focus on what you can control and stop worrying about what you can't. You can't control the budget. You can't control eligibility. But you can control your classroom. You can control your curriculum. And most importantly, you can control your happiness.
So, adjust to the kids in front of you:
Kids can't play a Class 2 piece? Play a Class 1 and make it sound amazing.
Instrumentation sucks? Play flex scores. Or play unison or two part lines.
Feel overwhelmed? Focus on fundamentals and celebrate the small wins every day.
Redefine what success looks like for your program. Write it down, and post it on your office wall where you can see it daily.
Go home at night. DON'T LIVE AT THE BANDHALL
Just some advice from someone who has been there and truly understands.
Re: Motivation
Posted by Respectfully on 10/2/2026, 1:07 pm, in reply to "Motivation"
Already.
Jobs like yours are common. You can either burn yourself out trying to fix it (and you will burn out faster than it gets fixed) or you can find ways to change your expectations of success.
Re: Motivation
Posted by Day 1 on 10/2/2026, 7:01 am, in reply to "Motivation"
You put it on the kids on Day 1. They have to have ownership in the program or you will forever be the one who is dragging the kids thru the season.
