This week we celebrate Read Across America. So, as your official Stories That Sing lady, I feel it is my duty and privilege to give you some guidance and encouragement through the lessons of Dr. Seuss.
Lesson 1: Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You.
People in my life who criticize me.
Everyone wants me to be something I’m not?
Social media stresses me out and makes me think I’m less than?
I compare myself to other people and always come up lacking.
If any of these statements ring true for you, remember the words of Dr. Seuss. You are the only you around. You are amazing and wonderful just as you are. No one else is exactly like you. You provide your own unique value to the world and to your students.
Looking at what other music teachers are doing on social media can be helpful, but it can also stress you out. Be careful when you’re looking for ideas on Facebook that you don’t compare yourself to anyone else. Comparing yourself to other music teachers or other people can only lead to unhappiness and anxiety.
Try to remember your strengths before your weaknesses. Try to speak about yourself positively. Instead of saying, “I am so forgetful or I don’t do that well”, try saying “I am really creative” or “I’m great at creating a warm classroom environment”. Be careful about the self-talk you use in your inside-the-brain voice too. If you find that you are your own worst critic (like most of us), try using a journal and write down 3 things you love about yourself every day.
Lesson #2: Why fit in when you were born to stand out?
Don’t you just love being different? No? Well, I’m going to disagree with you there. You are unique and special. You are different than anyone else, and that’s what I like best about you. Embrace your differences. Enjoy being weird. If there are people in your world who don’t like your uniqueness, unfriend them. Seriously, you don’t need people in your life who don’t understand you.
Embracing your differences instead of being critical of them can be freeing. Trying to fit in with people who don’t appreciate you or don’t understand you is the easiest way to create stress and anxiety in your life. Instead, try to only befriend people who love you for your differences.
While you’re embracing your differences, you’re also modeling for your students. You’re teaching them that it’s ok to be weird . . . to not fit in with everyone else. Dress up in your favorite fun, flowery dress or big musical jewelry. Be crazy in your classroom among your students. You do you, and show your students how to do it too.
Lesson #3: You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose.
Do you love where you’re at in your music teacher career? Are you happy with the way things are going in your music classroom? Is your home life fulfilling? Do you have time to relax and friends to get coffee with? Do you have hobbies? Are you making music outside of your school day?
If you answered no to any of these questions, remember that only you have the power to change your situation. If you aren’t happy, reach out and find your joy. Instead of using your energy to complain (we are all guilty of this), try using it to create happiness. The only way to be happy is to create happy.
Not happy in your job? Change things up in your music classroom until you are happy. Run your classroom differently. Let go of some of the I have to’s in exchange for I want to’s. Change up the types of activities you’re doing in your classroom. Do less talking and more modeling.
Not happy with your home life. Find ways to change it. Don’t take work home. Don’t plan on the weekends. Spend time with family and friends who make you feel good.
Lesson #4: Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.
Are you seeing a theme here? You can only be you. Trying to be like someone else is ridiculous. It won’t work for you, and it will only make you unhappy. Find what brings you joy, and don’t worry about what anyone else thinks.
Do you have big feelings about something? That’s excellent. Make sure everyone knows. It’s ok to express yourself. It’s ok to tell others how you feel. Being expressive about your feelings helps you to communicate with the people in your life. It helps people get to know you better.
Expressing your feelings will help you so that things don’t build up till you explode with anger. Talk about things that bother you before it gets to that point. This goes for your students too. Help them learn how to deal with things that bother them by modeling it yourself. If they are doing something you don’t like, tell them right away. It’s ok to tell them when they have hurt your feelings or when they’ve made you feel upset.
Lesson #5: Today I shall behave, as if this is the day I will be remembered.
You will be remembered by your students. You are a part of their lives for years. How do you want them to remember you? You want to be remembered as the music teacher who changed their lives. The one who taught them to find joy in music. The one who helped them figure out how to treat other people. The one who gave them the gift of life lessons through music.
Be sure that every day you behave as if your students will remember you. Because they will. Be joyful in your teaching. Model happiness, kindness, patience, and sincerity. Use each new class as a chance to start your day all over again. Take a deep breath when things aren’t going well, and greet your next class with a smile and a positive attitude.
The theme for today is know yourself, be yourself, express yourself, and love yourself. Want to be a happy music teacher? Want to be a happy person? Starting with these life lessons will go a long way towards getting you there.
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