Does Appearance Matter?

A question was asked of me the other day.  It came from one of my eighth grade students.  Now, she was not being mean or facetious, but just matter of fact.  She asked, "Mr. Irvin, why do you always wear a suit and tie, you're just a teacher?" This really got to me.  I couldn't figure out why at first, but I kept hearing that question in my head over and over again. 

Now, before I go on,  let me preface by saying that I am probably going to upset some of my friends and colleague. But, so be it.  What dawned on me was that this is how the students see most teachers (especially male teachers).  Most wear some kind of "Khaki" style pants with a "Polo" style shirt.  Let me also state that I do not always wear suit and tie.  In fact it is usually a sport coat and nice button-down shirt.  I wear a tie about 3/4 of the time.  and don't get me wrong, I love casual Fridays.  But even then, it's usually coat, button-down shirt and comfortable shoes with my jeans.

I really noticed the difference at a recent parent/teacher conference evening when most of the teachers were dressed up.  But most changed between the end of the school day and the start of the conferences.  I mentioned to one educator how nice she looked.  She thanked me and then stated that she wanted to look professional for the parents.

That was when my students question and comment came full circle.  Why not look professional for your students and fellow educators?  What is ironic to me is that I hear and read from many of these same educators on how they are tired of their profession not being given the proper respect that it deserves.  Well...dressing professionally, albeit a small step, is still a step in that direction!

And, I will go one step further.  I truly believe people, for the most part, act differently when dressed in a professional manner.  I know I do. And I also know students act different when they are dressed up.  We still have a few coaches that make their athletes dress up on "game-day".  I see a HUGE difference in the students behavior both in and out of the classroom when they are dressed up for those days.

And yes, there is some additional prep time in the mornings or the night before work, as well as a little monetary investment to be made.  But it is not out of the realm of what we can afford (time or money) and believe me, I am not wearing designer clothing.  I am always on the hunt for a good sale.

While we are on the topic of respect, let me throw one more pet-peeve of mine in for thought.  I am constantly correcting students when they address their teachers by using just the teachers last name.  Not using Miss, Mrs. Ms. or Mr. to preface the last name.  So many teachers are comfortable with this, and I can't figure out why.  In fact, I knew one educator that insisted that her students call her by her first name.  I about fell over when I heard that.  I asked her why she did this and she said she feels it strengthens the bond between her and her students.   REALLY???  At first I thought it was a generational thing.  But the more I think about it I don't see it that way.  Heck, I was a child and teenager in the '60's and '70's.  I don't know of a more radical era.

If we TRULY want the respect of our students and parents, there are so many of these little things we can be doing as a profession.  I wish schools districts all over would adopt more strict dress and conduct codes for everyone.  Both students and teachers. And this is coming from a teacher, not an administrator.  But, that's a whole different topic and battle.  But for now, why don't we as college educated professionals start looking and sounding the part!

You Know What They Say; "Those Who Can't..."

This is something I started working on over the past few months.  I thought I would share an excerpt from the introduction for some feedback.  So, here you go:

                                                “Those Who Can’t, …..Teach”

Love, Life, Lessons and Music

INTRODUCTION

It’s Just Me

“Those who can’t, teach”.  I cannot tell you how much I despise this moronic phrase.  I also cannot recall how many times I have heard this expression.  Some of the time it was said in fun, but mostly out of spite, arrogance or stupidity. And after twenty years as an educator, I still am hearing or reading this phrase.  So I decided to try and do something about this.  Maybe it is just a way of defending me as a person or professional, along with my fellow educators and musicians, or another outlet so I don’t punch somebody when I hear for the bazillionth time; “You know what they say, those who can’t, teach”.

 Let me introduce myself.  My name is Mark Irvin.  Who am I?  Well, really, in the grand scheme of things, nobody.  I am not rich, I am not famous, I have never been in a movie, or on television.  Not even on a reality show.  I am just not what is considered cool.  I have never been in a magazine other than the occasional music journal, because, well,…uh,  I am defiantly not model material.   I am not a saint and at times a little rough around the edges, which you will see from time to time as you read. I have never run for political office, let alone have been elected to one.  I have never done anything heroic, or death defying.  I have never saved anyone’s life (except for maybe all the women who wouldn’t go out with me).

Who I am is; husband, father, son, brother, friend, musician and educator, more specifically, a music educator.  It is the latter of the list that I will talk most about.  The road I took is defiantly not the normal path.  My timing in life is also far from normal.  

And, I am just guessing (or hoping), if you are reading this you are probably a teacher, or work in education.  Chances are you also may be a parent, spouse and possibly a musician.  Again, all the above is pretty much me, just not always in that order. It depends on the time of day. 

Please know this is written by a musician and music educator who is still “in the trenches”.  I have read so many wonderful books and been to so many great classes, clinics and workshops that were given and written by Doctor of this, or Doctor of that.  I just can’t think of reading anything written by a current public school teacher, other than articles in music education journals.  So I thought it would be a nice idea to share with my “brothers and sisters in arms”.  Whenever I attend conventions or workshops what usually stays with me the most is all of the sharing I get to do with others that are going through many of the same things I am. Let me also say right up front, I’m not here to preach or force philosophy on you.  Nor is this meant to be a “how to” on any of these subjects. So, I hope you will allow me to share a bit of what I have learned, what I am still learning and what I have seen and experienced with a few stories along the way. And, if you find something you can use or relate to, or get a laugh or two, great!  Remember that this is all coming from a current public school teacher and working musician. 

Who Will Be Driving the (School) Bus?

I haven't blogged for quite some time.  Mostly due to something else taking priority on my ever growing to-do list.  So, I apologize, or you are welcome...  Really, that is not a good excuse and I know it.  But reading an article in our local paper got me fired up enough to put this subject at the top of my list.  I live in the wonderful state of Nebraska. Omaha to be specific.  I know, it's where most people fly-over, but that's another topic for another day. 

An article in our local paper (the Omaha World-Herald) caught my attention quickly.  Titled "Should non teachers be superintendents?",  the article is about a new bill being introduced in the Nebraska Legislature (LB 539) under which the state could not require superintendents, principals and other school administrators to have teaching experience.  REALLY???

There is some irony for me in that one of my future blog topics was to write about how out of touch so many school administrators become with what happens in the classrooms. 

First, let me state how much respect I have for the office of any school administrator, especially that of a school principal position.  I am in year twenty of my teaching career and have never had the desire to be a school administrator.  But, I have made it a point along the way to spend time shadowing and interviewing school principals over the years to see as much as I can from their perspective.  THOSE JOBS HAVE MY RESPECT!  But, I cannot say I have the same respect for so many of the people in those positions.

The only time in the past six or seven years I see an administrator in my classroom is when they HAVE to do an evaluation or there is an urgent problem regarding a student or parent.  So many principals and superintendents around the country have either very little experience in the classroom or have been away from actually teaching for years or decades.  And now some feel they should never even have to have that experience. 

I want to see things changed from the other extreme.  I don't think a person should be able to be a school administrator until they have taught at least ten years.  And after that, once every five years they have to teach class for at least a semester.  This could fall under the heading of school administrators professional growth requirements. 

I keep reading and hearing that school leaders need to run it like a business.  Again, REALLY?  I have heard the analogy on many occasions that students are the products and it's our job as educators to put out a great product, hence the "brilliant" concept of "No Child Left Behind".  Here is the major flaw in that thinking.  We cannot discontinue a product just because it is not doing well.  For example, what happened to New Coke?  They didn't keep working with it until it was a successful product.  They simply discontinued the product.  They left it behind.

I know that administrators are under the gun to produce these unrealistic standardized test results in order to keep their job, which pushes them even further from the classroom.  It's not working...for anyone. 

Education does not need to be reformed.  EDUCATION NEEDS TO BE TRANSFORMED!

Walking In Others Shoes

Most know that education is under fire, probably now more than ever before.  Those in education are feeling the heat.  And, like most everything else, the heat intensifies as it trickles down.  In the case of education, the classroom teachers will feel the most heat.  Literally livelihoods and lives are at stake.  From politicians, to parents and to administrators who haven't been in a classroom for a very long time or ever at all will direct direct the fire towards the classroom teachers.

What got me thinking about this more that usual was a recent incident I witnessed in an eating establishment.  I was returning from the restroom when this incident took place.  A gentleman was not satisfied with his meal and proceeded to berate the server, who appeared to be the age of a high school, or college student.  His rant ranged from how the meal was prepared to where he and family were seated.

I actually stopped outside the restroom door so I could watch.  The server was very calm ( but visibly shaken up) when she excused herself to go get who I assumed was a manager.  The rant was then rehashed for this person when finally the man was told their meals were on the house.

I don't know what possessed me to do so, but I approached the man as he was leaving and asked him what happened, even though I already knew.  He was happy and almost boastful to recant his story.  I then asked him if a few questions:  Was your server the person who seated you?  Answer, no.  Was your server the one who prepared your meals?  No, again.  Did the server get everything out in a timely fashion?  Was she polite and courteous?  Was water filled, and plates removed throughout the meal?  All, yes.  I then asked him why he would direct all of his anger onto a person who had nothing at all to do with everything that upset him.   He then called me a colorful name I won't repeat and stormed out.

This seemed to be what it is like in education today, as well as many other areas of society.  Finger pointing, passing blame and simply not having the knowledge to change things.  At a recent parent teacher night, I informed a parent that her son had showed some natural talent for my class, but needed to put the time into practicing and homework to properly use his talent.  Her answer was something I hear far to often.  She said, if you find the secret to getting him to do his homework, let me know, because he won't do it for me.  I simply asked this parent who was in charge here.  I didn't get called a name this time, but this parent stormed out of my room.

Education, I believe, is ever evolving and changing.  It's supposed to.  But we seem to be stuck in an industrial age mentality while the rest of the world is changing faster than ever before in history.  Education doesn't need to be reformed, it needs a complete overhaul.   Teachers must want to keep learning themselves,  while administrators, politicians and parents need to be hands on involved, not just reacting to standardized test results in hopes someone else will fix the problems.

I believe that education is a lot like my student I mentioned.  It is loaded with talent and potential, but everyone must work in order for that talent to be put in motion.  Education is much like the upset customer, let's lay the blame on one person when so many are responsible.

As far as that waitress, I left her a very nice tip and a note that said not all of us act this way, thank you for what you do.



 


   

A New Year Begins...

I know most refer to January 1 as the beginning of a new year, but after teaching for so long, my new year begins after the last contract day.  For me, that is the end of June.  So this is my time to reflect on the past year.  Not only as an educator, but in my personal life.  After this long, so much of the professional life and personal life are intertwined. 

There were some very cool things that happened along the way this past year.  Last June I was selected to be on a new committee for the Music Educators National Conference.  The group is called In-Ovations and its focus is on alternative and additional music curriculum offerings to middle and high school students.  I will blog in more detail on this topic at a later date.

In August I was inducted into the Nebraska Music Hall of Fame (I know, I didn't know there was one either until I received the call and letter).   A few weeks after this happened I had the good fortune of working with Rosanne Cash for a couple of days.  This was an incredible learning experience.

Probably the most significant event for me was getting my masters.  The coolest part of this experience was the ceremony fell on the same day as my oldest son's high school graduation.  My  ceremony was held 50 miles away, and it was running behind, so when I was handed my diploma I kept walking right out of the building with some poor college kid running after me saying I missed my turn back to my seat.  I'm not sure how long she followed me,  but I didn't see her at my son's graduation.

In April I had my first article published in our state journal on the School of Rock.  You can find that article and link in an earlier blog.  In that same vain, I ran a pilot program this past year on the history of rock.  It became so popular I have been asked to write a 9 week course for 8th graders to begin next school year.  I have also been told that the classes are already full.  So much of July will be devoted to putting that program together.

This will also be the first summer break in many years that I will not be taking classes.  My one indulgence will be to take private lessons on guitar.  Even though it's my main instrument, I have never taken lessons.   I have also filled the summer with many gigs (you know, because teaching pays so well).  For down time, I plan on hiding out in my garden and doing some serious "porch/deck-time" with my family. 

I will also spend my time away from school going through my teaching journal and look back on what worked well and what I need to work on to keep my program moving in the right direction.   I highly recommend if you are an educator, to keep a weekly/monthly journal throughout your school year.  It really has a motivating affect on attitude for the upcoming school year.  For me it really helps keep things fresh and helps to drive my quest for learning!

Please have a safe and wonderful Fourth of July.  Send good thoughts and prayers for those who are without homes and were forced to re-build and/or relocate after all of the crazy weather this season.

Reflections...

Tonight is my final night for my grad class Social Learning, as well as my final class for the Doane College Program.  We have been asked to blog our reflections of the class, as well as answer a few questions.

We were asked if social networking has made a difference in our classroom, and for me it has been significant.  The first thing I did, with my administration's permission, was to set up a Facebook account for my classes.  As a music educator, I deal with hundreds of students every day.  My initial intention was to cut down on paper use.  Not necessarily to "go green", but when sending so many newsletters and fliers home for schedules and upcoming events, it does involve a great deal of paper, not to mention there is no guarantee that those newsletters and fliers will even make it home.  (Can you imagine middle school students losing such things?  It was a surprise to me.)

Of course the results have been wonderful.  This is how today's students work in their daily lives, Facebook, Twitter, IM and on and on.  Just the simple fact of having a Facebook account for my different ensembles also allows my students to take a more pro-active role in our programs.  They advertise concerts, post performance videos and pictures.  They share websites of other programs and ensembles that are related to our subject.  Of course I have the power, and responsibility, to oversee all before any of it actually shows up on the account.

My plan is to continue to work on expanding my personal learning network as well as taking advantage of so many of the open source educational technology programs that are offered and being developed as we speak.  I also want to include my students in not only the use of these programs, but their input on how we as a class will use them.  Again, this is their world and I truly believe in the "Wisdom of Crowds".

Online education education is going to continue to expand and flourish.  I feel strongly that online education is not going to change what we learn, but how we learn.   This means education, as a whole, must change it's approach and overall philosophy.  I feel fortunate to work in a district where they are embracing this new wave.  I still hear educators and administrators who talk as if all this is a passing fad, which I find very upsetting.  Education is all about evolution, sharing, communication and continued learning.  Teachers must take the approach that yes, we are educators, but if we ever stop being students at the same time, we will not be effective as teachers.

Social Media: Where are we going?

I have become addicted to TED Talks.  We viewed another tonight in my grad class on the impact social media can have and how much and how quickly this all changed.  Clay Shirky-How social media made history is one of the many wonderful in the TED series.  He gave a brief history of the history of social media and how and who it affected and compared it to today's social media.  And like many of the articles and videos on the topic of social media and the globalization of communication, it is both inspiring and overwhelming at the same time. 

One of the questions brought up in class relating to the video and subject was if, or how today's generation will handle social media?  Being old enough to see the changes, I find myself working very hard to keep up, though unlike some colleagues and friends, I enjoy the revolution and the change and challenge.  But today's students (my own children included) are growing up with all of this and don't know any other way.

With all of this, I truly believe there is a responsibility that comes with social media and how one uses these resources.  I feel as an educator and parent, it is my responsibility to do the best I can in guiding my children and students to make responsible decisions.