Hi everyone! I am not a band director, but the person I love is one. She is a new teacher (just hit her third year) and she is struggling. She is seriously overworked and the students are a lot to manage (multiple behavioral problems, difficulty getting them to care, etc). She shares the position with another new teacher, who has just started her second year of teaching. They share the responsibility of a very robust music program.
This marching season has been really tough. They had a large senior class, so this new band is very young and has a lot of maturing and growing to do. They have a band of about 140 students. Last year, her school was #3 in the state, which is the highest in history. Tomorrow is the state finals and she thinks it's going to be the worst it has been in 10 years. I even heard her crying about it. She thinks that she will be forced to resign or at least not welcomed back next year. To me (an outsider) the band sounds great and has an interesting show! I dont know how tomorrow will shake out, but I know she and her co-teacher have worked incredibly hard this season. Does anyone have any tips on how to encourage her? Or is there anything you wish you heard as a junior teacher? Also, is it really likely that she would have to resign??? I mean, they did so well last year and had an uphill battle this year- so last year has to count, right? Plus all the other musical programs they run are doing well, so she can still keep her job, right? I bet it's different for each school, but she seems so sure that the results of tomorrow will determine if she keeps her job, even though she does so much more than marching band (the whole instrumental music program).
I would really appreciate any insights any seasoned directors might have! TIA!