I mentor so many new elementary music teachers, and one of the biggest pieces of advice I can give you is to just take a deep breath.  The first year is for figuring everything out and trying to learn how to do literally all the things.  Know that it really does get easier the longer you teach.  So, hang in there and take it day by day and one step at a time.

If you’re in your first (or second) year of teaching, you might be feeling overwhelmed.  Well, I have good news for you.  Three year is the magic year.  Is this the case for every teacher?  Of course not.  There are a lot of circumstances that go into making the third year successful.  But, from my experience, this is why teaching music in year three is so great.  You can listen to the podcast episode that goes hand in hand with this blog post here. 

 

Your first year of teaching is HARD

If you’re in your first year of teaching music right now, you’re definitely figuring this out all on your own.  You don’t need a blog post to tell you how hard it is.  Your first year  of teaching is definitely a learning curve and it’s like you’re a sheep thrown to the wolves.  No one is around to help you, there isn’t a cooperating teacher, and everyone is looking at you as the music specialist.  You might be thinking… “What did I get myself into?”

 

Year two of teaching gets a little bit easier

During year two, you have a little bit more of an idea of how you want to do things.  You may notice your classroom management is starting to click a little bit, although it’s still not perfect (and that’s ok).  Your students are more comfortable with you and you’re a little bit more confident in your teaching abilities.  You’ve gotten some great professional development trainings under your belt, and feel like your lessons are going a bit smoother.

Now enter the magic year three

Year three, like I said, is the magic year.  You’re coming into your own and are realizing that you have a unique personality you bring into your teaching.  You’re figuring out your teaching style and things are starting to click (even more than they did in year two). 

There will always be challenges and reasons that teaching is hard, but you feel like you’re beginning to feel better about your circumstances and how teaching is going. You’re more familiar with what you teach and aren’t needing to follow your lesson plans down to a T, but can change things up as you go and as you see fit.  Things will still be hard some days, but you’ll a lot better about how things are going. 

 

You’ve found your stride

Things have shifted from figuring out how to do things to teaching with a bit more confidence. You aren’t afraid to adapt lesson plans or to change things up on the fly.   During year one, you plan your lessons and teach exactly what you planned.  You don’t know how to “improvise” or change up the plans based on your students needs because you’re just not comfortable enough yet. 

But, during the 3rd year of teaching, realizing off the top of your head what to add or take away from a lesson right on the spot becomes like second nature. 

 

Finding the right mixture of lesson plans gets easier

You’ve learned how to find the right mixture of lesson plans when it comes to doing movement, instruments, singing, improvising, and everything else that goes into an elementary music class time.  During year one, it’s a struggle to know what to teach when and how much of what to teach.  Finding the right balance and getting in there and doing it leads you right into year three, where knowing how to effectively teach music to your students becomes so much easier. 

You’re also going to have an easier time navigating your complex schedule.  Knowing whether you see your students every 3 days or once a week doesn’t stress you out so much anymore, because when it comes to sit down and plan, you’re learning what to put into place during each class period.   Knowing it’s ok not to get through every single song or activity you’ve learned in different music education trainings and workshops is no big deal anymore.  You realize what songs to choose that will best meet your particular students needs and help them learn music.

 

Your students are more familiar with who you are

You know your students better and your kids from 2 years ago have now had you for 2 full years.  They know the way you do things, your teaching style, what happens in the music classroom, and what your expectations are.  You’re not going to need to stress the procedures so much, because your students are already aware of them.

When new students come into the music room, your current students will sometimes just step up and help them learn the ropes.  It’s awesome seeing some students step up and assume leadership roles without you even asking them to.  

Forming relationships with your colleagues starts to happen

Your relationship with your colleagues, or at least some of them, finally seems to be happening.  Your first year of teaching, you’re focused on learning how to do so much.  So, focusing on forming relationships with the other teachers, the school staff, and even your principal, sometimes takes a back seat.  It doesn’t mean you’re not respectful to them or just ignore them (as you’re already on an island on your own in the music room).  It just means, you’re more confident and feel like you’re able to shift your focus a bit more on forming relationships with the other adults in your building. 

 

 

Has year three been easier than the first two years?  I’d love to hear all about it in the comments below or share your thoughts on social media as you share this post.   

Also, I’d love for you to share this post or any of the resources on my website with a friend or colleague who you know NEEDS to see it.

P.S.  Are you feeling frustrated or stuck as an elementary music teacher?  Check out these free resources to help you teach elementary music with confidence!

Also…I wrote a book called “Make A Note: What You Really Need To Know About Teaching Elementary Music” to help music teachers move forward in your teaching career.  You can get your copy here.