I Am a Santa Ynez Elementary Bobcat!

 

I had my interview for Santa Ynez Elementary School on Wednesday. I met the Principal Anthony Bruemmer and the Superintendent, Maurene Donner. They both sat in on the interview.

They asked me:

What my experience is teaching general music? I told them about Patterson Rd., my student teaching experience, as well as teaching private lessons at GSM as well as on my own.

If I would teach students to read music and what my experience is doing those things? I told them that it goes hand in hand with solfege, and that solfege (when it is put on a musical staff) is the bridge to learning music at a young age. You wouldn't teach the younger grades to read notes on a staff outright. You can try, but it's much easier with the bridge of solfege.

What I would do to build a community with the students as well as a the teachers? I would build a rapport with them. Try to work hand in hand with them and show them that I really do care about the music and about their journey with music. I would want to make the lives of the other teachers easier if they ever needed anything from me. Same with the students. I am there to serve.

They offered me the job on the spot with a chance to choose my schedule and asked me if I had any questions.

The schedule I chose was a three day a week schedule (all day 9-3pm) as opposed to a whole week schedule where I come in the whole week but, midday for only a few hours.

They also told me that this a TK-8 school. The 6/7/8 graders get to choose their elective. They asked me for ideas on the spot of what I could contribute to the elective. My background is in choir, I told them, but since these students are just getting to know me, I think having a class where they learn to play the Ukulele and Guitar would be a good draw for students that want to take a music elective.

I also didn't tell them this, but I also want to have a grades 4-6 choir. But an after or before (probably after school, since there are two campuses) school choir that meets once a week. I'm sure they would get a kick out of that news. And yes, there are two campuses. One specifically for the TK and Kindergarten students (because they need their own playground) and another campus up the way like two blocks away for 1st through 8th.

Not only that but this school is a very small school. There are about 20 kids per grade. And for the 6/7/8 grade classess, I'm only anticipated to get roughly a little bit below that many kids that want to participate (that's why I need to make it good).

I asked about the high school that the elementary feeds in to. The High School is Santa Ynez High School. And the music program is lacking there. The High School as a man that is a history teacher that teaches the band on the side. They are wanting the band to grow so they can play at football games and things.

They showed me around my classroom. One room had most of the instruments. The previous teacher did not use the Orff instruments as much as was wanted. They also have closets that have instruments.

The room was nice. And they also showed me the auditorium which had a grand piano in there. I played some of the second movement of Beethoven's Fifth Symphony for them on the piano. They told me that they would help me be in contact with the person that does the sound system.

I'M A BOBCAT! (Which is funny because in high school we were the Kaiser Cats)!

I'm excited for something that I can call my own and is a permanent position (as opposed to my last position). Please pray that my credential paperwork goes through!