Thoughts at 9 AM on Saturday

During my early mornings, I teach an elementary band class. I've been teaching for 4 years and it's brought all kinds of emotions to me. Some mornings, its difficult to want to get up and make the 20 minute commute. Some of the struggles include: being on time despite all the students showing up 15 minutes late, struggles with rhythm and basic concepts covered the first week, and bad posture. Along with struggles, we also see a lot of successes, friendships made, and the personal growth.

I love seeing students who were not able to hold their instruments in October, grow into the cute little musicians in training who can play "Jurassic Park" almost flawlessly. Their musical development impresses me, and I become so emerged in teaching.  Suddenly, it doesn't matter to me that I had to drive 40 minutes in the snow storm to bring these students joy. 

The other day, I had been considering my resignation. With less than two months left of  the school year, I didn't think I should. After a series of events negative events with the company, I almost did. The day I was sure I was going to hand in my two-weeks, one of my beginners came up to me and said "Miss Aly, I love band!" and I realized that if I could make a difference in someone's life then I guess I'm doing alright. 

Riverton Music Youth Orchestra || Most of my Advanced Elementary Band auditioned for a spot and got in!

Along with my band students, I also have been teaching private lessons for a whole year and it has been an enriching experience. I have taught some really talented young musicians and have watched them grow immensely. I look forward to my private lessons, because we have fun learning music and playing duets. Private lessons have made me a better player and a better instructor. My first student had her first recital and I cried watching her perform. It's breathtaking to see students' strengths and weaknesses and how they refine them. I'm proud of all my students and their accomplishments, learning an instrument takes time and effort, and some of them really put it forth. 

... And then comes 9 AM on Saturday mornings. We host a group guitar class, which my colleague teaches. We have been hosting this class for almost two years, and I've seen some of these students grow up and learn from my colleague. That's where I started getting serious about guitar, I began learning with some of my colleague's students and they recognize me from working the front counter. I've had to sub the group guitar class a couple times, and those kids are adorable. Talking to my colleague, I can tell he enjoys teaching them too. With my most recent experience in mind, they were funny and all around great to teach. 

During the group guitar class, my other colleague teaches piano. Every now and then he will have me sub for his students too, and seeing the rates at which students progress amazes me. The store doesn't open until 10, so being there at 9 doesn't bother me, despite what my colleagues would think. I love seeing those kids grow and develop their skills as young musicians. I may be groggy and tired, but it is 100% worth seeing the students become better. I've seen a good handful of students grow into talented young musicians. As long as they keep practicing and never stop learning, they will be going places. 

 Sometimes, we are all these students have. Sometimes, we are able to bring joy to them because music connects us in un-explainable ways. As teachers, we don't know what happens before or after those 45 minutes the students see us. If we can provide some sort of positive change or energy, it's totally worth it. Being the reason a student wants to continue in music is a huge responsibility, but I think my colleagues and I are doing well.