Dear Rookie Me (a.k.a.: What I Wish I'd Known)

Dear Rookie Me,

Congratulations on your first full time gig!  Yes, I know that you got the offer with less than a week to go before school started, but here are a few things to help you out:

1. Organizational skills.
• Try to find some.  You'll be tracking well over 300 kids in 13 grades and two buildings.  I know there's no student growth requirements yet, but there will be and having a system in place will be a huge help.  Also, don't be afraid to throw some things out!  There are decades of stuff in your rooms.  Make some space.
2. Stand up for your kids and their music education.
• I know this can be a challenge, especially as a new teacher, but changes are coming and not all of them will be in favor of your students' interests.  Become an advocate early and often at all levels.  From talking with administration to writing letters to representatives, it all makes a difference.
3. Discover the professional uses of social media.  
• Welcome to being a department of one.  It can be a little isolated.  And let's face it, you really don't know much of anything about teaching general music yet, especially for K-3.  There are Facebook groups just for music and band teachers.  Find them and use them!  Ask questions, borrow ideas!  Twitter is a great way to connect with educators of all kinds from all over the world.  Being the only band and music teacher doesn't have to be lonely.
4. Reach out.
• There are some pretty awesome teachers in nearby schools.  They were once new too and they're more than willing to help.  Ask admin if you can visit them, see if they can visit you, call or email and ask them questions.  
5. Learn to say "no."
• Being active and involved is good.  Feeling overwhelmed and occasionally a little taken advantage of is bad.  Be a part of things that you're passionate about, but don't feel like YOU have to be the first to volunteer for everything. (I know this is easier said than done!!!)  Make your students and the classes you're teaching your first educational priority.  Plus, someday you'll have a tiny human of your own to care for, and it's a lot easier to do when you're home every now and again.
6. Seek out your own professional development.
• A lot of the PD days you attend aren't going to be that much use to you.  Find something else to further your learning.  Read.  Get on social media.  Find conferences and events to attend.  Go to an EdCamp.
7. Kids are awesome, but kind of gross.
• Wash your hands. Take vitamin C.  Get a flu shot.  Wipe down shared instruments.  Your immune system will improve, but spending the better part of your first two years sick isn't a lot of fun. Take care of yourself!

I'm not going to say things get less crazy.  They don't.  The craziness just shifts from being stuff that happens to you, to things you'll learned how to roll with.  Embrace it and have fun!  You're finally getting to do the thing you've been wanting to do since the fourth grade.  It's going to be awesome.