Prep Teacher

In the eyes of a many of my colleagues at my elementary school (when I say many, I mean about 75%), my main function in life (at least at school) is to give them a 45 minute break.

At least, that's what I feel at this particular moment in time. It's not so much that it is actually true (I really don't know that), it's just some wording they use that makes me think that.

For those of you who don't know, most contracts give teachers a mandatory break in the day in which to prepare themselves for upcoming lessons. This time is called "prep time." I have a prep time...it's right around lunch, but it's still my prep time.

But the majority of the other teachers at my school, when the kids come to my classroom, they are sent to "preps." Not music. Not PE. Not art. Not computer. "Preps." As if the only good I am to them is to provide them with their prep time. And not just teachers. Administrators. EA's. The kids themselves. They catch on very quickly.

I am a certified teacher. I went to college for four and a half years to complete a five year program to become a music teacher. I have a Bachelor's Degree specifically in music education.

I have a Master's Degree in Education. I worked very hard right up until the day before I delivered my first born to get that degree.

And yet, it seems to me that the 45 minutes I see students once a week is valued very, very little. Well, let's be honest...the fact that I see these kids only once a week for 45 minutes shows how really little a music education in general is valued. But, as far as those 45 minutes go it seems to be valued very little, at least as far as opening up the world of these students to the beauty, art, intelligence, and magnificence of music. It's value is in giving their teachers a break.

I don't think it's an "enrichment" subject. I don't think it's froo-froo. I don't think it's something to just give the kids some "fun time."

I have 45 minutes once a week to try and give the students of my school a music education. This is an education that I feel is worthwhile, important, and for some students will be absolutely life saving to their education. I have 45 minutes in which to expand their vocabulary in MANY languages. I have 45 minutes to allow them to work on unity of sound, watchfulness of subtlety, creative expression in dance, joy in improvisation and in the successful interpretation of a piece of music, a chance to look through a window into the soul of another human being through his or her music. I rehearse, correct, praise, and teach. I am responsible for taking an entire grade level and teaching them a variety of songs, instrumental techniques, performance etiquette, stage safety, and basics of musical vocabulary, most of which is in Italian.

So please don't call me a prep teacher. I really do work very hard to give your students an actual education in music. If you just need a babysitter, there are actually many cheaper and less meaningful ways of providing you a 45 minute break. I really do worry sometimes that if there was another alternative to me as far as giving consistent prep time to regular classroom teachers, I would be booted pretty quickly. I take up one whole FTE. And man, is that expensive childcare from a school perspective.

And yeah, I mind when you keep your kids out of my class to catch up on other work. And I do mind when you ask me if they're doing anything "important" today. And I do mind when you could care less about the time of day that would work best for the kids to try and absorb my subject in a 45 minute class time.

And I really do get that you're under the gun to get test scores up. And I really do get that to the majority of politicians and administrators, getting their math and reading scores up is more important than them having a meaningful music education, or making sure that their kids are in shape, or tapping into their creative energy and working on ways to expand their skills as artists.

But seriously...we question that philosophy in every way possible on a daily basis...don't let it diminish the importance of what we, as individual subject specialists, are trying to teach your kids. There are no standardized tests on music, PE, art, computers...but don't let that skew your view of the importance of any of them.

No really...I don't like being called a prep teacher. :) And I don't think you like it when parents view your role as little more than free daycare. So don't treat me like I'm that for you. I will gladly take your kids during their designated time because frankly I really, really enjoy what I do, and I really, really want to teach them. And I will continue to respect what YOU are doing in teaching them your respective subjects. And I will try to remember that ALL of us, want what is best for kids.

And thank you much to the teachers who send their kids to specials, to music. Thank you to the teachers who care to be on time, who care what their kids do, who who care what their kids did while there were there, because that is a reality too. The difference in attitudes of the kids is very much a reflection of the teachers who bring them.

And don't get me wrong...I know you need a break. I know you need time to prepare. If we were honest, you generally use a whole lot more than 45 minutes to prepare to teach 20-30 uniquely diversified individuals on a variety of levels. And so do I.

Sadly, I realize to most readers, and maybe even most teachers, it just really doesn't feel like that big of a deal. But to me, in my chosen profession, in this moment in time, it is. Because I am a dying breed...and generally the deaths come out of the same attitude that refuses to acknowledge me for what I really am...a teacher of music. A teacher of kids. And someone who genuinely loves her job and tries her best to make sure that the education these kids are receiving from me in my subject area is one of quality, and one that they can take with them for the rest of their lives.