MU eC ra aL RLU Ut eae Cet eC) WHAT’S INSIDE?After the winter holidays, | hope that you find that both you end your students are refreshed and recharged wolean. ‘The beginning of the calendar year marks a monu- mental time for us to ty to change and better things in our careers and everyday lif. It also marks @ new part of the academic year, and a sort of “resetting” of our students’ readiness to pay attention and learn. During this time of year, it seems that the news is filed with talk about New Year's resolutions. Perhaps some of you have created resolutions to better your awn health or personal life. But what if we were all to make @ resolution that would better not only ourselves, but also the students we teach? Perhaps some of you have al ready done $0; If you have not yet It Isn't too fatel Reflection time Think about your students’ and your own musical and educational progress during the first part of the school year. What went well? What did not go 0 well? Wy do you consider these things to have gone “well” oF “not so well?” Most important, think about what you yourself can do to try to move as many aspects of your teaching into the category of what "went well.” ‘f course, none of us is perfect, even though we may often feel that we push ourselves to strive for per fection, not only for ourselves, but also for our students and administrators. While it is easier said than done, i is Important to try to focus on whet "went well” and not dwell on the things that did "not go so wel." Of course, these are opportunities we can and should learn from, ‘but they can often tur into situations that cause us to become frustrated and overwhelmed. Every little victory should be cause for celebration. By every vietory | mean not only the vietaries you find in _ none of us is perfect, even though we may often feel thet we push ourselves to strive for perfection .. Cala ) / Resolve to Focus on the Good E | Grace Demerath - NAIME-NYSSMA® Collegiate President 2014-45, Ithaca College your own teaching, but also the victories that you see your students experience. We have to remember that we are not the only ones who experience the phenomenon of focusing on the bad rather than the good. Walk in their shoes Its important that we try to remember what it was like to be in the place that each of our students is cur rently in and thet we are able to provide them with the ‘support and encouragement that we were elther gven at that time in our musical career or wish that we were given when we were in that place. - {In a world that constantly focuses on negativity, itis important to gve credit to not only yourself, but also your students when thay deserve it, This does not mean that you ‘should provide your students with false com pliments or with overwhelming positivity that comes off as fake, The compliments and ex: citement that you share with your students should be genuine; otherwise, you will lose respect of your students since thoywilleabletotell whether youare being, {genuine or not. Just do There are also many other areas in which you can make @ resolution that will benefit both you and your students. Perhaps you want to improve your knowledge ‘and skills on the other instruments. Maybe you want to be more approachable end available for extra help - the possiblities are endless! \Wnether you have already made @ New Year's resolu tion oF not, challenge yourself to make one that focuses on your teaching and how you can better your students! leaming. After the long winter break your students are ready to learn again, Now is the periest time to make some changes for the better! January february 20% /SOHOOL MUSIC NEMS 33