Learning from Everyone

We all know that we do not get into teaching for the short hours, peaceful environment, and more than liberal pay!  The single greatest remuneration that we  get is watching and enjoying the growth of our students.  We consider ourselves one of the most positive influential people in our students' lives.  All of us have a great opportunity to be that as we generally keep them longer than any other teachers that they have.  During our time honoring those who mentor us I think that we should stop and think about the students who also teach us.

In my 32 years of teaching, as I reflect, I realize now that every single student taught me something.  The perfect, the talented, the bad, and those that are like me, the not too gifted!  Without exception, if you allow them: every situation with each individual in your program can teach you something.  Here is my example" years ago, on the forth day of band camp in hot Mississippi as I was dismissing the band I made a brief comment about needing to get the field mowed.  After preparing for the booster meeting later that afternoon I drove to the corner school intersection and saw a small young man with a push-mower on the field.  I turned left, crawled through a storm ditch, and went up to the young man and said, "Mr. White, what in the world are you doing here?"  He said, "Well, you said that you needed the field mowed."  I then said, "Ritchie, that meant that I would get the tractor tomorrow and mow the field in just a few minutes.  Now you go home before your parents kill me!"

I went home, showered and put on a tie for my booster meeting.  When I cam back to the same intersection, there were seven people mowing the field.  That young man, just b taking the initiative, sparked others to do the same!  During the four years he was in my program Ritchie was the first one to mark his music, pass off his requirements, turn in his fund-raising money, and offer to do any odd job.  Not one time did I see him point his finger, make fun of others, or give a speech!  His positive leadership was strictly by example.  Let me tell you this young man made a difference.

From Ritchie White I learned that regardless of your age, playing ability or any other attributes you can be a leader by example.  It does not matter if you are two or ninety-two, your energy and positive vibes can spread to others more than any kind of speech or correction could ever do.  As I write this, Ritchie is in his early forties, is a very successful businessman, and has middle school aged children.  He has been a very positive influence on me and I have told this story many, many times and get emotional at each telling.

During this school year I hope that you will look at every student that you interact with as a way for you to learn.  If they have bad tone quality search for a way for them to produce a better sound.  If they are a behavior problem, ask them what it would take to get them on the right track.  There is an opportunity to mentor in every situation.  Each one of these interactions will give back tenfold to what we put forth.  Learn from each student, regardless of circumstance!