Kind of as an update to my last post about school attitudes, I would like to give you all an idea of what has happend with my old high school. The teacher, a Westminster Choir College graduate (and one of the best in her class according to Dr. Abrahams) is in charge of the High School music program. The students are unhappy at this point with choir, in that district the number of students that do music just to socialize is unbelievable. The teacher has started to ask more of the student, which many of them are incredibly unhappy about. Again, I can say that from observing her classes, it is truly the students that are the problem, not her. The head of the music program in Millburn has come to the same conclusion after observations that he has done. In the past month or so, because of their anger, students have begun to drop choir in droves... around 80 students so far.... 80. The students have begun to complain to their parents who have taken it to the super intendant. I don't think that these parents have any interest in seeing the teacher's side, all they care is that their bratty children are complaining. These students honestly think that what they says, goes, no arguments. It appauls me to see this absolutely wonderful teacher reduced to tears virtually every day because she doesn't know what to do anymore. Even some of the students that love choir have dropped because they are so frustrated with the way the other students are treating her. How can students be held responsible for being completely out of line in the classroom. Having lived this school district, it almost doesn't surprise me that this is happening, but what can a school do about students like these?
posted by Ben @ 10:57 AM
2 Comments:
Unfortunatly You cant force a student to stay in choir. I feel that this is a similar problem to the teacher in Ewing. Students and Parents might not realize why we do something or what grounds we have to make them do more work but it seems that we must set those boundaries in the beginning. If we do not have a plan or an idea to instill on the students from the beginning then when we change the status quo the boat gets tipped and people get up set. Im not saying the teacher is in the fault for wanting to change and improve the program, but I think that it will take longer than expected. If students are dropping out of choir then it might take a few years for people to realize that the change is progressive. It wont be realized until students stay in choir, grow as musicians and the community can see through performances that their children have grown.
I know that things for this teacher are really hard right now. However, mybe it's better that these students drop. She will be left with a smaller choir but it might end up being mostly dedicated students. I don't think that she should drop her standards. Choir is more and more being seen as an easy A and socializing hour. Hopefully, the students who did want to be in it and dropped because of the other students will come back after all of those students have gone. And in years to come, new students will come in accepting these expectations because it will seem as if they have alsways been there. It's hard for people to accept change especially when they're lazy and are asked to do more work. I think that we need to start asking more of our choir members and I think that it is great that she's doing this. I just hope that she hasn't gotten into too much trouble with the super intendant.
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