1. A Successful and Rewarding Career in a School with Few “A’s” In a Town With No Walmart
Presented by:
Jim Rhodes, Forsan Matt Knight, Abernathy
Moderator:
Dr. Charles Trayler, retired

2. All students deserve a great band director!

3. Students—Why is small so big?
Small students need music education, too.
Students are in everything
More hands on
Continuity—k or 5th/6th through graduation
You need kids who are good for band …but…
you need kids who band is good for them

4. Professionally, small can make a BIG difference!
Makes a more comprehensive director
You are the go to—you do it all—repair, budget, teaching all instruments, etc.
Smaller schools pay dividends through means other than just salary
Insurance relief, extra duty benefits, stipend days, housing, even Title I educational loan repayment

5. Professionally, small can make a BIG difference!
Allows growth through trial & error / success & failure to develop personal teaching. You learn to swim by jumping in the deep end.
All faculty knows one another because all are working with the same students for the same goals. Collaboration across curricular lines.

6. Personally speaking… Small schools are a great place to raise a family
You get to know second and third generations—
longevity
You get to really know the students you teach

7. Personally speaking…
More opportunity to really influence those you teach –band hall can be the hang out!
Majority of pressure is self-imposed
Community will share your good times and support you in bad times

8. To Every up, There is a Down…Professional
i. You will have to share your students—ALL THE TIME Students are missing classes for everything, especially in the spring
ii. “and other duties as assigned”—you WILL be more than just the band director (financially beneficial, job security)
Bus driver, UIL coach, class sponsor
Little league coach, church musician, community volunteer

9. To Every up, There is a Down…Professional
iii. You are ALWAYS on call (makes you a go to with your peers, students—you have keys to EVERYTHING)
iv. Less financial resources and shared facilities (gives you a chance to get creative)
v. Answering to multiple campuses/principals (different outlooks, varying opinions, opportunities for a more global view)

10. To Every up, There is a Down…Professional
vi. Have your CDL? You WILL GET to drive a bus. (driving for other organizations can build good-will, support for your program with peers)
vii. You have to do more with less time (teaching to organize, maximize time)

11. Personal Considerations…
i. Everybody knows everything – gossip on steroids! (authenticity)
ii. You are ALWAYS on call – again, you have keys!!! And you know how to work the sound equipment, lights, scoreboard, etc. (really a chance to be helpful)
iii. Hard to be single in a small town – everyone has someone you need to meet, every little old lady has a granddaughter/son, if you have a date, everyone knows!, you are under a microscope…

12. Miscellaneous Thoughts…
Be respectful of the person you follow
Graduation can play a big part in re-shaping your band; be patient.
College degree just gives you a “license to learn.”
No Pass/No Play—you need to be the expert on how the rules read and know the dates.

13. Miscellaneous Thoughts…
But only if they’re helpful!!!
Bring in help
1. Parents – uniforms, signs, Did they play instruments? Did any of them march?
2. Peers – alternate rehearsal nights with a neighboring director. Trade your skills.
3. Faculty/Staff – you never know who might like to help! It never hurts to ask!!!

14. Miscellaneous Thoughts…
Stay in contact with your admin—they probably not band people. You speak a foreign language.
Keep the faculty/staff in the know about what is going on. There is support out there that you never ask for. Many staff members don’t talk to the kids about what they are doing in band because they don’t know!
Find an outlet to get information out to the community – community newspaper, Facebook, twitter, school website

15. Miscellaneous Thoughts…
Get your band calendar on the books and stick to it – make sure it is on the campus calendar, the district calendar, sent home to the kids, on the website, in the community newspaper, in the teachers’ boxes, etc…
You have to be the most positive person on campus—it draws people to you!!!
Vertical alignment—from the bottom of the music tree to your high school program—talk to the elementary music teacher (if there is one) Have an idea about what you want the kids to know.

16. Miscellaneous Thoughts…
Be available for your students
1. Workday doesn’t end at 3:30
2. All-region, solo and ensemble—best time to teach individually
3. If you are present, students will stop by and visit
4. Make it a family atmosphere

17. Contacts: Jim Rhodes Matt Knight Forsan ISD / Retired Abernathy ISD
M: (432)
Matt Knight
Abernathy ISD
W: (806)
M: (806)
Dr. Charles Trayler
Retired
M: (806)
H: (806)
PowerPoint available at
under the “Other” tab.