Little Things Can Make a World of Difference

[Mr.Erskine]

So, I went, tonight to a local Christmas celebration called Caroling on the Circle in Georgetown, Delaware.

I used to teach at the middle school in Georgetown, specifically, I was the choir director. The first year GMS took part in Caroling on the circle, I had to contact the man in charge to ask to be part. I was extremely proud of my group, and I knew the kids were proud of themselves. I told my sixth graders that year that my goal for them was that by the time they left the middle school, the guy in charge would be contacting me to have the kids come and perform. When those sixth graders were eighth graders, two years later, that September when the year was just getting started, I had an email waiting for me from the guy who run Caroling on the Circle and the message was simple, "Mr. Erskine, I wanted to contact you and let you know that if you're interested in having your kids be part of this year's celebration, I have a slot reserved for your group."

In my time there, I had one student in particular that I worked with extensively because she wanted to be taught. She was GMS's first representative to Delaware All-State Junior Choir. And she progressed wildly in her voice and in her confidence in the three years that I taught her. I was able to see her perform once in her high school choir, and she was the only freshman to be selected for one of the upper class choirs.

I was at GMS for four years, and I left to take a high school position. It was a catastrophe from day one, and although I was "successful" I still almost left the classroom. I took on a half time choir position at a middle school just because I wasn't sure that I wanted to teach anymore after the nightmare that I walked in to, and although it was good for me, and it helped me rebuild my self-confidence, it wasn't enough to support my family, and I don't do well dividing myself between my career and a second job to try to balance the checkbook.

Now, I don't have a performing ensemble--I just teach middle school general music and I love every minute of it. I still miss directing ensembles, and I've been incredibly successful at each level in both choir and band.

Fast forward to tonight. I saw that student sing in front of a town for the Caroling on the Circle celebration. She has graduated, and she sings at local events, and is requested to perform. I was pleasantly surprised when she came around to where I was standing, and even better when she told me about hos she got first chair in the soprano II section her senior year in Delaware All-State Senior choir. (That's a big deal because usually, the higher chairs are taken by the students in the upper part of the state--or at least that's the stigma.) Then she said that she has given me all the credit because of the way I worked with her and gave my time to teach her and work with her. She told me that she never had a better director and that she appreciated the time that I put into helping her to succeed.

I'm not typing this to be arrogant or say, oh look at me. I felt like sharing because after three shitty years, I didn't realize how much I needed that boost until I got it, tonight. And I know that little bit will be enough to help keep me charged and moving forward when my content area is looked down on as unimportant to a student's educational experience.

You may see this on other forums as I'm part of a few, please don't think ill of me--I'm proud of my student, and she helped me be proud of my work, again.