Who hates goodbyes? In the world of special ed, they call them 'transitions.' And transitions are never easy, are they?About a month ago, I got a text from a friend of mine telling me that she had just gotten a text from her high school daughter, who was in tears. It seems that our beloved high school band director had just announced to the students that he was leaving at the end of the school year to take a new job. Not just any old job, but as staff arranger for the U.S. Marine Corps Band........playing music for the President! On the one hand, you've got to be thrilled for the man, in his early 30's, to be given such an honor. On the other hand, talk about a huge loss to our school district. In five years, he made marching band the single most cool activity to be a part of at the high school. I can't begin to tell you how much the students and parents love this man.........over 20 facebook fan pages created by his students, countless hours of parents' fundraising, chaperoning, uniform cleaning, etc. Football games were standing room only because of the marching band, not the football team!
My son came home that day in a funk. I think his first thoughts were, "I want to quit band." Fortunately, that didn't last long and it seems as though he's ready to move on. Last week, he told me that he wants to take private trumpet lessons this summer to improve his technique and to possibly try out for some of the more elite musical groups at the high school when he's an upperclassman. I think the band director's influence on these kids will be seen for many years to come. His mantra, "Always be a class act" will hopefully be lived out by all his former students. We'll miss you, Mr. W!!!!!!!
Teachers who leave big footprints are precious, indeed. And it sounds like his influence will outlast his presence, by a bit. One hopes that his replacement will be able to build with what's being left for him/her. . .
ReplyDelete(And I hafta tell ya, this post is eerily reminiscent, for me, of a certain situation involving the basketball coach at my alma mater, and the pro team in your town. . .) (You know. . . arranging music for the President. . . coaching LeBron James. . .)
That's a neat thing; we've been lucky enough to have a few teachers like that, whose influence is really long lasting.
ReplyDeleteDrama, is the big thing in our middle and high-school, and mostly due to the incredible passion the middle-school drama teacher brings.
My 19 year old son, *still* goes back to see Noreen, and that's saying something, right there.
Craig - I'd love to comment on your comment, but you know about my ignorance in all things sports related, right?
ReplyDeleteSailor - Always cool when kids go back to see their former teachers!
What an influence he's clearly had on his kids. I hope that carries through next year, and a new band instructor can continue to build on the greatness.
ReplyDeleteMy youngest is in a funk because he thought his second grade teacher was going to become a fifth grade teacher next year, and that one day he'd have her as a teacher again. At the end of the year, she announced she'd taken another job in the district as an instructor liason. It's a great opportunity for her, oh, but my boy, he has been walking around for days talking about her and wanting to email her. It's a testament to the people in these jobs that they impact our kids of all ages!
Right; but I thought maybe your husband would fill you in. . . (that is, if you even cared enough to ask him. . .)
ReplyDeleteAlways be a class act... I like that.
ReplyDeleteI hope your school finds a suitable replacement... sounds like the students need it!
With any luck, the enthusiasm your son's band director instilled in the school will be passed along to whoever steps in.
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful that it ,left such a wonderful impression on the students!!
ReplyDeleteFADKOG - There's always rumors about former beloved middle school teachers moving up to the high school here. It rarely happens and then the kids get mad!
ReplyDeleteFlutter - The assistant band director got the job. We're wondering now if someone new will even be hired as the school has been making lots of budget cuts.
Agent - We love the assistant, but it won't be the same.
Together - Yes, it is!
those kind of transitions are so bittersweet. so hard to say goodbye even as you know he's moving on to something so exciting.
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