Teaching was not my first career choice. In fact I ran away from it.
When I was young, school young, my mum said she thought I’d make a good teacher and I thought ‘yeah right! Just because you say so? No chance!’. So my Saturday job was in retail and soon after leaving school I got a clerical job in an office and then I moved on to an admin position in a College. One evening a Class needed covering at short notice and no teaching staff available so the Head of Department asked if any of the admin staff could ‘babysit’. I volunteered. All I had to do was to issue the course work and be on hand to take queries for the absent teacher. You know what? I quite enjoyed it! It was a real high moment which changed the direction of my working career. A couple of years later I became a qualified lecturer and went on to teach Information Technology, Business Studies and Teacher Training in Colleges.
Today teaching is still very much a part of my music business. I teach Sax, Piano, music theory and music business principles. I get on pretty well with my students. We have a laugh and talk honestly about the highs and lows of learning music. I do get a great deal of satisfaction seeing my students excel and achieving their goals. A couple of my mature students, who are returning to their instrument, recently stepped up to the plate, overcame self-doubt and nerves and successfully delivered their first public performance. Wow! I am overjoyed for them.
But just this evening I was scrolling through my texts to find one from a student who had been unwell. They received word from their Consultant that they are very, very ill…I’m still processing the news…left me thoughtful…praying for a miracle.
But I’m pleased they felt comfortable to let me know about their low rather than not return to class.
Speak soon.