First Year as a Professional

Presented by Dennis Granlie

Define professionalismCharacterize your own professionalismList five adjectives that friends or colleagues

would use to describe you as a professional.

It’s Way More Than a Job!It’s a role.Expect LONG hours, especially at first.

Elements of professional work ethic.

PunctualDependableAmbitiousTenaciousInsightfulOrganizedMannerlyHonestFair

A good teacher isn’t always a good employee.

A good employee isn’t always a good teacher.

Strive to be both!

COMMUNICATION IS KEY“Communication is valid only

in the perception of the receiver.”

There is no such thing as too much communication.

During a crisis, or even an uncomfortable situation, expect to hear complaints

about lack of communication.

PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATIONSNo matter what you teach, the music teacher

is a very “visible” position.Far more people will know you than the

average teacher.Most music teachers know most or all of the

students in their school.Most parents know the music teacher, but the

music teacher knows few of the parents.Give thought to what and how you say and

write!

Be particular about your written “record.”

No spelling, grammar, syntax or punctuation misteaks!

PROOF READ. Spell check is not sufficient.Have someone else proof read important

documents.Allow sufficient time to modify, if needed.Set e-mail preferences to check spelling

before sending.When in doubt, use business format.Black or blue ink on white paper is always

proper.

Speak with caution!Seek first to understand; then to be

understood.Inflection speaks louder than words!Little pictures have big ears.Don’t be a purveyor of gossip, rumor,

innuendo.Tell the truth.An audience will judge you as much by what

you say as by how the group sounds. It is good to help educate your audience, but no lectures, please.

When things heat up…Read the inflection, assess your own level of

control and then de-escalate, de-escalate, de-escalate.

Delay the conversation if parties are unable to be rational.

Agree to disagree, but do so agreeably.Involve a third party, if necessary.Don’t take abusive phone calls at home. Ask

them to call you at school and set a time.

Some Things to Ponder about Administrators…Your administrator wants you to do well.If you look good, your administrator looks

good.Few administrators have ANY music

background.Part of your job is to inform the ignorant.Administrators are the highest paid migrant

workers in Montana.Administrators don’t like surprises!

Communicating with AdministratorsSending is not communicating. Make sure the

message has been received. Formal: memo, business letter, personal

conversation.Informal: note, e-mail, phone conversation.Provide documentation.Provide rationale.If in doubt, seek prior approval.Show empathy. Congratulate achievements.

Problem Administrator?Never bad mouth your administrator.Never blame your administrator.Present your case, debate rationale, but don’t

argue.Be sure to follow the chain of command. Tell

your administrator if you plan to go over his/her head.

Involve a third party in serious disagreements.

Be an excellent teacher and employee.Be prepared to take “no” for an answer.

Good Administrator?See “Problem Administrator”

DocumentationAnecdotal report on tablet with date.Hard copy forms.Grade book.Notes from a phone call.Follow-up memo.

Work EthicEvery generation complains about the work

ethic of the younger generation.Be part of the school and broader community.Expect to work long hours.Don’t take deadlines as suggestions. Your

delay causes more work for someone else.Lack of follow-through on your part does not

constitute an emergency on the secretary’s part.

Treat others the way you would like to be treated.

Get a life.

Get along with colleagues…Everyone thinks they work harder than the next

person.Everyone thinks their subject is the most important.Teachers are very “territorial.”Good teachers are very covetous of time.The teachers’ lounge can be the best/worst place to

visit.Never badmouth a colleague or your predecessor.Good teachers recognize and support good teaching.Good teachers put kid’s learning at the center of

decision-making.

Some Collegial “dos.”Support everyone’s efforts on behalf of kids.Send a note of congrats when deserved.Send a note of empathy when needed.Respect others’ territory and time, but expect

mutual respect.Be honest and take responsibility.Colleagues will appreciate your listening

more than your talk.Treat others the way you would like to be

treated.

Some Collegial “don’ts.”Don’t be a complainer.Don’t talk about colleagues behind their

back.Don’t involve an administrator in a dispute

without first trying to resolve it.Don’t be a “tattler.”Never engage in a verbal dispute in front of

students.Don’t be late to work/meetings.Don’t leave work early.Don’t miss deadlines.

Dealing With Parents…To a parent, their child is more precious than

ANYTHING.The vast majority of parents are supportive.

They are your best allies in helping students learn.

Parents’ priorities sometimes conflict with yours.

Parents don’t like unpleasant surprises.Parents expect your class to be orderly and

safe.Table talk is largely the basis for parents’

impression of you.

Making Parents Your AlliesParents recognize and appreciate good

teaching.Send information home on day one.Ask parents to help (not just in fundraising).Tell parents how they can help.Concerts/programs are excellent

opportunities to speak directly to a large number of parents.

What do you want the parents to say to their child on the ride home from the concert/program?

Phone home!

Handling an Irate ParentSeek to understand their anger.State your perspective, but don’t argue.Try to de-escalate.If a parent confronts you in front of students,

change venue before continuing a heated conversation.

Try to set up an appointment to discuss the matter.

Inform or involve your administrator.Ask the parents what they want you to do.Take responsibility if you are in the wrong.

Dealing With KidsKids are small people. They have the

same feelings and needs as adults but, without proper training, aren’t able to control their behavior like

most adults.

Remember…We’re in the kid business.The essence of teaching is what happens

between one student and one teacher.No other academic area enjoys the power of

music.Kids will love you if you make them

successful.The best students seek rigor.It is more important to be respected than

liked.Kids expect you to take charge.How would you like to be in your group?

Some Things to DoLearn and use names.Set realistic expectations and make sure the

students know what they are. Be ready to modify.

Teach life. Use music as a delivery system.Care enough to discipline. Everyone’s

learning depends upon it.Make good use of your “honeymoon.”Let your passion show!

Handling the TroublemakersNeed for attention is the number one

motivator for bad behavior.Try to separate the behavior from the kid.

“I like you Josh, but I can’t allow…”

Keep the focus on his/her behavior, not others’.

Document all disciplinary actions.Involve parents before it’s a crisis, if possible.Involve the administration only after several

documented actions have failed.

The best classroom management strategy is an

effective, efficient, fast-paced rehearsal/lesson!

A young child’s attention span is roughly equal in minutes to his/her age.

An effective rehearsal will have students singing/playing at

least 70% of the time.

Think of your first teaching certificate as a learners permit.

Pick battles that are big enough to be important and small

enough to win.

Maintain PerspectiveZoom out and get all perspectives, stay cool.If you can’t get out of it, may as well get into

it. Work smarter, not harder.What’s the worse case scenario? Every job has unpleasant tasks, but you

should enjoy your work.Some days are diamonds!

Excellence is an art won by training and habituation.

-Aristotle

ENJOY THE JOURNEY!

“Teaching and Managing Performing Ensembles”

By Dennis Granlie

Available at Eckroth Music and Morgenroth Music Centers