At the (CEC) conference this past week, I learned many things. One of the things that I want to grab onto strongly is that in order to educate, we have to look through the lens of building confidence. Is the way I respond to my students building their confidence? There is neuroscientific evidence that building confidence allows learning to take place at a much greater rate than the opposite. If we instill fear in our students, the stress hormones associated with that will be a detriment to learning, physically. Their brains won't be as capable when they are afraid. This is also partially what happened to me last year when they said I might fail, I became paralyzed with fear, I made more mistakes, and I couldn't do half of what I normally could, so they fear of failure made it almost inevitable as a result of physiological or neurological changes that fear creates. So, as an educator, in any classroom, it is important to do the opposite, to create a space where students can take risks and build their confidence, even when they are small victories, setting them up for success will do just that. Its like a double feedback loop, when they get it right, they think they can get it right, and their brain is then exponentially more ready to learn, which means they get more right.
Singing is such a vulnerable act, so when people are first singing together, it is important to be careful to structure the environment in such a way that they understand that when you correct them, they are not being hurt or torn down, but built up. If a student sings alone if front of the class, and they do it wrong, they need to be built up because of the courage it took to sing in front of the class. They need to be given confidence to do it again, despite their error. They need to be told frankly and gently that they made a mistake, but also praised because the only way they could have noticed the mistake was to sing in the first place. Its a really long project. I think it makes sense that in a high school choir teaching situation, I would have five years to know students and help grow into adults through the development of confidence using their voice in a community of music making, because it will take that long just to get started.
My mentor teachers at school have been so supportive, a night and day difference from last year. They have been able to give me honest critique in a way that has continued to build me up. I was so lacking in confidence when I arrived, but their willingness to let me try things and give me the freedom to learn while still giving very clear instructions and boundaries, and to be invested as educators but not take things personally has shown great maturity and wholeness on their part. I think my current set of mentors, though half the age of the previous set, has shown that they are much more balanced people, and therefore they are more effective educators. You can see it on the faces of their students, they know they are being taken care of.
I also attended a session on 21st Century learning that was very engaging and I am very keen to learn more about it. It had almost nothing to do with technology like I thought it would, but was much better. The presenter talked about giving students a guided thought process and telling them how to reflect in the moment and how to engage with their partner, and she mentioned that when teaching like this, the students lose their ability or desire to bully one another because they are creating knowledge together, working on things together all the time. And its not JUST collaborative, it was so much more than that. SMART learning.
click this link to get to the website that will explain more if you are interested, I surely will recommend her Pro-D as one of the more valuable sessions I have ever had.
I also skipped the mass that was at the end of the conference, and I felt a tiny bit guilty about that, but I also felt justified and here's why: I got a ton of valuable information out of the conference, I went to mass the day before and sat with my mentor teachers, the theological point of a catholic mass is to partake in communion and as I am not catholic I do not partake in communion. So...I skipped out. I couldn't find the few staff members that were still there from STM, because there were about six, and 1200 people. Its funny, I don't think I even really need to justify it except that it could be seen as part of my responsibility to have gone to mass as a practicum student, but that seems weird, especially being a UVIC student (hello super liberal campus where the pro-life group is denied funding because its a pro-life group) anyways.
The main point is that I learned waaaaay more than I thought I would at the Catholic Educators Conference. They really have their stuff together as far as excellent and cutting edge content. I was impressed. Even the uber catholic keynote address was quite challenging and uplifting, if preachy. Did I mention I got do an assessment session? It was great too. oh man.
And its been a busy weekend, not as much prep time as might be good, but I don't have TONS to prep for this week, as ash wednesday is this coming wednesday, the choirs are singing a bunch of music that I used to know from my bygone days of being a protestant, which I find odd, but convenient seeing as I know the music. (except that I have to sing written harmonies that are different than the ones I used to make up)
2.13.2012
2.03.2012
Early
I arrived at school this morning before the doors were open, and people live here.
But I like getting here early, especially because some days the teachers leave at the end of the school day.
I appreciate being at this school so much because it feels like such a supportive environment. I am teaching today and I have been this week, and it has gone well, according to my teachers. Today my FA is visiting and will evaluate me, and I am excited. I get to teach Sr. Band, and we are playing a piece called Foundry by John Mackey, who is a young enough composer to have a blog, which I read yesterday. An interesting fellow, almost typical for someone who is really really into music, but I like having read his blog and gotten a bit of an idea for who he is, I think it will help me approach the piece a bit differently, especially the middle section where it really gets into a groove. It's for found percussion and wind ensemble, and sounds uber industrial, except the middle section which really gets into a rockfish shuffle. Anyways, its very cool and the students really dig it. And so do I.
Our 4th Anniversary was yesterday, I can't believe its been four years, it really doesn't feel like it, but I suppose that is partly due to my amazing wife, and partly due to the fact that we recently moved back to where I used to live before I got married. I guess the only difference is another degree and a couple of kids and a variety of life experience. nbd.
But I like getting here early, especially because some days the teachers leave at the end of the school day.
I appreciate being at this school so much because it feels like such a supportive environment. I am teaching today and I have been this week, and it has gone well, according to my teachers. Today my FA is visiting and will evaluate me, and I am excited. I get to teach Sr. Band, and we are playing a piece called Foundry by John Mackey, who is a young enough composer to have a blog, which I read yesterday. An interesting fellow, almost typical for someone who is really really into music, but I like having read his blog and gotten a bit of an idea for who he is, I think it will help me approach the piece a bit differently, especially the middle section where it really gets into a groove. It's for found percussion and wind ensemble, and sounds uber industrial, except the middle section which really gets into a rockfish shuffle. Anyways, its very cool and the students really dig it. And so do I.
Our 4th Anniversary was yesterday, I can't believe its been four years, it really doesn't feel like it, but I suppose that is partly due to my amazing wife, and partly due to the fact that we recently moved back to where I used to live before I got married. I guess the only difference is another degree and a couple of kids and a variety of life experience. nbd.
1.13.2012
picking education battles
I have realized something in the past week.
Education, specifically music education, requires one to learn the wisdom of picking one's battles. If I were to stop the band/choir every time they made a mistake and try to fix it right away, not much would get done. I know on the face of it it sounds obvious. However, in the past I used to think (not consciously) that I had to stop and point out each mistake, because I needed everyone to know that I had really good listening skills and I could hear when the saxophones were out of tune (most of the time) which is really unfortunate because it reflects a selfish approach. Instead I want students to have the most efficient and worthwhile learning opportunities, which will happen when I know how best to approach the classroom, the piece, the concept, where it is not about perfecting every detail in the moment but about allowing some discovery, and being available to support learning when students are not following or learning well.
I don't know how I will approach classroom management, because I traditionally have thought I would be tyrannical about silence like some of my mentors were because it was effective, and I still think it can be a really important aspect of the classroom discipline, but I am not sure. I think a balanced approach where there is a time for socializing, specifically in a music classroom, is allowed for the group to forge an identity. However, I think it being designated may be a good way, because then the teacher can still control the time spent in class, and the students are still able to chat, it just has to be managed carefully.
I think being a music teacher has as much to do with administration and team leadership as it does with content knowledge and skill.
Did I mention I am really enjoying this? I am. I am so thankful to God for where we are.
I probably whine sometimes, but my life is far better than I deserve. grace doesn't even begin to describe it. When I think about it properly, my cup is overflowing with good things.
Hopefully I can live in gratitude.
Education, specifically music education, requires one to learn the wisdom of picking one's battles. If I were to stop the band/choir every time they made a mistake and try to fix it right away, not much would get done. I know on the face of it it sounds obvious. However, in the past I used to think (not consciously) that I had to stop and point out each mistake, because I needed everyone to know that I had really good listening skills and I could hear when the saxophones were out of tune (most of the time) which is really unfortunate because it reflects a selfish approach. Instead I want students to have the most efficient and worthwhile learning opportunities, which will happen when I know how best to approach the classroom, the piece, the concept, where it is not about perfecting every detail in the moment but about allowing some discovery, and being available to support learning when students are not following or learning well.
I don't know how I will approach classroom management, because I traditionally have thought I would be tyrannical about silence like some of my mentors were because it was effective, and I still think it can be a really important aspect of the classroom discipline, but I am not sure. I think a balanced approach where there is a time for socializing, specifically in a music classroom, is allowed for the group to forge an identity. However, I think it being designated may be a good way, because then the teacher can still control the time spent in class, and the students are still able to chat, it just has to be managed carefully.
I think being a music teacher has as much to do with administration and team leadership as it does with content knowledge and skill.
Did I mention I am really enjoying this? I am. I am so thankful to God for where we are.
I probably whine sometimes, but my life is far better than I deserve. grace doesn't even begin to describe it. When I think about it properly, my cup is overflowing with good things.
Hopefully I can live in gratitude.
1.11.2012
Fotoshop
A friend from university did this recently. It's gone viral, I'm pretty proud to name drop, but you can see that he did a good job for yourself.
Fotoshop by Adobé from Jesse Rosten on Vimeo.
Fotoshop by Adobé from Jesse Rosten on Vimeo.
1.08.2012
Community
I love our St. Herman's community so much, and the comments from the last post are a part of that, I much appreciate you all.
So good to be among friends today, to have our whole family at church (as much as a young family can be at church)
took zeke to the river with everyone to do the blessing of water for theophany, zeke rode his bike everywhere and loved it.
I have felt more high strung than usual lately, which is weird, usually I am pretty calm, and I don't know why. As though things have to be 'just so' but they don't, and it will be ok.
I recently ran out of space in my journal, so I am waiting the next one's arrival in the mail. I found a beautiful cavallini and co journal on amazon for a steal, so that's great. but in the meantime the hamsters on blogger get a better workout while I muse here instead of on paper.
Spiritual discipline is either terribly elusive or looks completely different than I expected it to look, after having seen an obviously effective form of it in Gibsons. I know I am not as intentional as they are, but at the same time I know there is a measure of self denial in the everydayness of life, and perhaps not recognizing it is how it works in us. That said, this healing process is strange, because I had no idea how broken I was inside about the whole teaching thing. I. Love. Teaching. love it. so much so that I know I will be good at it and want to get better at it, and this desire to do it well comes from somewhere so deeply intrinsic that it doesn't matter what I get paid, (which is a big problem I think, teachers are highly undervalued by society, sadly, because the passionate commitment that many have enables low-ish pay)
but as long as its enough, I will be happy to have the opportunity to form minds, shape world views, and hopefully help young people become adults in a way that benefits our society, when so many are just happy with bread and circus. (did I mention I am excited for the hunger games?)
So good to be among friends today, to have our whole family at church (as much as a young family can be at church)
took zeke to the river with everyone to do the blessing of water for theophany, zeke rode his bike everywhere and loved it.
I have felt more high strung than usual lately, which is weird, usually I am pretty calm, and I don't know why. As though things have to be 'just so' but they don't, and it will be ok.
I recently ran out of space in my journal, so I am waiting the next one's arrival in the mail. I found a beautiful cavallini and co journal on amazon for a steal, so that's great. but in the meantime the hamsters on blogger get a better workout while I muse here instead of on paper.
Spiritual discipline is either terribly elusive or looks completely different than I expected it to look, after having seen an obviously effective form of it in Gibsons. I know I am not as intentional as they are, but at the same time I know there is a measure of self denial in the everydayness of life, and perhaps not recognizing it is how it works in us. That said, this healing process is strange, because I had no idea how broken I was inside about the whole teaching thing. I. Love. Teaching. love it. so much so that I know I will be good at it and want to get better at it, and this desire to do it well comes from somewhere so deeply intrinsic that it doesn't matter what I get paid, (which is a big problem I think, teachers are highly undervalued by society, sadly, because the passionate commitment that many have enables low-ish pay)
but as long as its enough, I will be happy to have the opportunity to form minds, shape world views, and hopefully help young people become adults in a way that benefits our society, when so many are just happy with bread and circus. (did I mention I am excited for the hunger games?)
1.06.2012
Practicum
It's going well. I can't believe I seriously considered not even starting this. It has healed so many of the acidic feelings of the last year.
I hope I never see my high school band teacher again, and if I do I will not pretend to like him or be nice, but at this point the damage that they did seems temporary, and perhaps even still for good in the end, of course in one of those ways that I will never be able to know about. Lord have mercy.
And my piano playing, which was an issue, is better.
And while the bitterness subsides, I am still not over it completely, it's a deep scar.
But the students at STMC are amazing, and the teachers are fantastic. They know their stuff, and they have such a healthy, balanced approach to teaching. I think the students are learning so much about music and about life in a good way. It is also a school with a really healthy atmosphere, very collegial and very supportive. To the extent that I often do an internal double take regarding their mutual support (the students)
Its really nice to be a part of, even briefly.
IN other news, Amelia is gaining weight nicely, and a few folks have brought us supper which has been helpful because L is home alone all day with two little ones, and I get home and just want to play with the kids, so its nice. thank you !
And theophany this weekend! 4 years since Laurenn was baptized. coming up on our 4th anniversary, which is kind of surprising, it really doesn't feel that long ago.
I hope I never see my high school band teacher again, and if I do I will not pretend to like him or be nice, but at this point the damage that they did seems temporary, and perhaps even still for good in the end, of course in one of those ways that I will never be able to know about. Lord have mercy.
And my piano playing, which was an issue, is better.
And while the bitterness subsides, I am still not over it completely, it's a deep scar.
But the students at STMC are amazing, and the teachers are fantastic. They know their stuff, and they have such a healthy, balanced approach to teaching. I think the students are learning so much about music and about life in a good way. It is also a school with a really healthy atmosphere, very collegial and very supportive. To the extent that I often do an internal double take regarding their mutual support (the students)
Its really nice to be a part of, even briefly.
IN other news, Amelia is gaining weight nicely, and a few folks have brought us supper which has been helpful because L is home alone all day with two little ones, and I get home and just want to play with the kids, so its nice. thank you !
And theophany this weekend! 4 years since Laurenn was baptized. coming up on our 4th anniversary, which is kind of surprising, it really doesn't feel that long ago.
1.02.2012
The Hunger Games//Practicum
I can't wait for this movie.
And Tomorrow I start my practicum. Nervous and Excited. Lord have mercy.
And Tomorrow I start my practicum. Nervous and Excited. Lord have mercy.
12.28.2011
Ciksetmihail's Flow
I am sure I have spelled wrong, but there's a researcher out there with a crazy double name who is all the rage in education because of his concept 'flow'
I think maybe he's a psychologist, but the ed people have adopted him, especially arts education.
Now, I think one of the main problems with public education is the inability of most teachers to challenge their students enough to get them in the zone where they flow. (Flow means that you are working at the top level of your capacity because the challenge matches your ability just right. Its not too boring or too hard, and you are working hard at it and end up losing yourself in the moment and becoming immersed in whatever you are doing)
I think students love this state, which is why they do other things, such as mountain biking, skateboarding, listening to music loud while doing homework, etc. I think its partly why extreme sports are so popular, because mastering them allows for intense moments of flow, but it is also why group sports and music ensembles have the potential to be popular, because this can happen there too.
The problem is that the system is set up for the lowest common denominator, and to meet standards, not to engage students at their highest level.
I think the system could engage students on so many different levels, but because of how it is set up, it won't be able to adapt for a while yet. I hated high school and found most of it meaningless, now I wish I had done chemistry in high school and university, but I thought it was completely useless. Same with Math. Now I wish someone had shown me how it connected to life, to work. But the teachers were working within a broken system, so its not only their fault, but there were a few teachers who were completely inspiring and they straddled the line between being within the system and totally eschewing it.
I think maybe he's a psychologist, but the ed people have adopted him, especially arts education.
Now, I think one of the main problems with public education is the inability of most teachers to challenge their students enough to get them in the zone where they flow. (Flow means that you are working at the top level of your capacity because the challenge matches your ability just right. Its not too boring or too hard, and you are working hard at it and end up losing yourself in the moment and becoming immersed in whatever you are doing)
I think students love this state, which is why they do other things, such as mountain biking, skateboarding, listening to music loud while doing homework, etc. I think its partly why extreme sports are so popular, because mastering them allows for intense moments of flow, but it is also why group sports and music ensembles have the potential to be popular, because this can happen there too.
The problem is that the system is set up for the lowest common denominator, and to meet standards, not to engage students at their highest level.
I think the system could engage students on so many different levels, but because of how it is set up, it won't be able to adapt for a while yet. I hated high school and found most of it meaningless, now I wish I had done chemistry in high school and university, but I thought it was completely useless. Same with Math. Now I wish someone had shown me how it connected to life, to work. But the teachers were working within a broken system, so its not only their fault, but there were a few teachers who were completely inspiring and they straddled the line between being within the system and totally eschewing it.
12.16.2011
Choral Music for Mixed Voices
I think what I really would like to do this new year is start a mixed voice choir. I would like to invite anyone who currently sings in the St. Hermans Church Choir to be a part of it, (and if you aren't and want to sing, let's chat, I'm not a tyrant-except during rehearsals) and I would like to do sacred music that is not from the Orthodox tradition. I will post a few examples below.
This will be for people who love to sing and want to learn more.
Some of the pieces I would like to sing include things like:
How, when and if this happens depends on a few things, not least of which includes interest. If we had six people that would be enough, but more would be welcome. Perhaps every two weeks (opposite my current choral commitments) or on sundays, or...we'll see.
If you read this, and are interested, let me know on a sunday.
Obviously we are also about to have a baby, so this won't be top of my mind for the next few weeks, but I was thinking January would be a good time to start something like this.
I also appear to be starting a second practicum in January/February, so that may also preclude this starting too soon, but I do want to move it from the back burner to a more front and centre burner.
looking forward to a festive glass with you all soon,
This will be for people who love to sing and want to learn more.
Some of the pieces I would like to sing include things like:
How, when and if this happens depends on a few things, not least of which includes interest. If we had six people that would be enough, but more would be welcome. Perhaps every two weeks (opposite my current choral commitments) or on sundays, or...we'll see.
If you read this, and are interested, let me know on a sunday.
Obviously we are also about to have a baby, so this won't be top of my mind for the next few weeks, but I was thinking January would be a good time to start something like this.
I also appear to be starting a second practicum in January/February, so that may also preclude this starting too soon, but I do want to move it from the back burner to a more front and centre burner.
looking forward to a festive glass with you all soon,
11.03.2011
Group Voice Lessons At St. Hermans
Now Offering!
Group Voice Coaching, see St. Herman blog.
that is all.
Group Voice Coaching, see St. Herman blog.
that is all.
10.08.2011
I have been thinking about career a lot lately.
listening to Dave Ramsey show often, changing the way I think about money.
I look forward to finishing and being a teacher, but I am less worried about having a really gratifying career, which I know teaching would be, than I am about paying off my student loans and taking care of my family. My priority is taking care of my family, and if I have a job that I can enjoy, that will be a great bonus.
I feel like the disney dream of everyone deserves a job that they feel fulfilled every moment of the day is the same as the naive ideal we learn about in american rom-com movies where the emotional state of a relationship is the only thing that matters. feelings. I became orthodox so I wouldn't worship my feelings, positive or negative, and I think that applies to career the same way it applies to marriage and everything else.
Don't get me wrong, I am so happy to be married to L and I think being a music teacher would/will be wonderful, but I think it is possible to approach these things with a balanced view, where we hold it all in tension. If I don't end up being a music teacher, but can provide for my family, I will be content. Also, I want to live somewhere I can have chickens and maybe a goat.
Having built a chicken coop and having our own supply of food was such a gratifying experience, It felt like I was succeeding at taking care of my family. I don't mind my current job but I don't feel like its enough.
I wish I had know some of these things when I was younger, road regrets maybe. repentance, to change the way one thinks, it seems much less an emotional process now than when I was young. I would have done things so differently.
Zeke and I have been building blocks this morning, so I will get back to the important work of toddler construction/destruction.
9.21.2011
had chickens. I was wrong about bylaws, so had to give them back. we traded them for some eggs, and we'll get them back when we move. I love living at the church, but am sad not to have them.
This morning, while chasing them to get them together to go, I found a nest where they had laid 15 eggs that I had not found. I used to search for them just in case, but mostly they laid in the coops I built, which was gratifying.
Recently I have felt success in my living off the land endeavours. I had chickens, they were happy. I caught four pink salmon, smoked two of them and have baked two others (yum!) I recently harvested more hops than I could ever use from a wild vine I found at work.
8.07.2011
chickens!!!
three exclamation marks!!! just like archie comics!!! WE HAVE THREE CHICKENS!!!
www.flickr.com/photos/pasivirta should get you to a couple of pictures of our three lovely hens, who are currently resting after a stressful transition. I think they might see their house as a bit too small, I imagine I will enlarge it soon, I thought it would be big enough, and I am sure it will suffice in the short term, but it does seem to be just barely enough for the three of them.
we have to rhode island reds and a white chicken of sorts, and they are all large and laying hens.
I am excited.
I also have many new audiobooks to listen to at work this week, as well as pimsleurs russian mp3s. thanks V for the idea.
I just hope the chickens can get used to the noise of our place, the road is noisy, much noisier than their previous digs out in aldergrove.
oh, and looks like I may have found a practicum for the fall, will keep you posted on the specifics when it is more certain.
Z has a new habit, sleeping on the floor, imagine if it was a precursor to monasticism. hilarious. we were at the monastery this weekend for the feast, it was glorious, we even had a rare minute (literally) to visit with them after friday vespers. I miss them, but they seem much healthier now that they don't have an inundation of visitors. Good for them, and if we believe in prayer, good for us too.
Missed K at church today, apparently he is ill. I finally mowed half of the lawn, Z loved being on the riding mower.
www.flickr.com/photos/pasivirta should get you to a couple of pictures of our three lovely hens, who are currently resting after a stressful transition. I think they might see their house as a bit too small, I imagine I will enlarge it soon, I thought it would be big enough, and I am sure it will suffice in the short term, but it does seem to be just barely enough for the three of them.
we have to rhode island reds and a white chicken of sorts, and they are all large and laying hens.
I am excited.
I also have many new audiobooks to listen to at work this week, as well as pimsleurs russian mp3s. thanks V for the idea.
I just hope the chickens can get used to the noise of our place, the road is noisy, much noisier than their previous digs out in aldergrove.
oh, and looks like I may have found a practicum for the fall, will keep you posted on the specifics when it is more certain.
Z has a new habit, sleeping on the floor, imagine if it was a precursor to monasticism. hilarious. we were at the monastery this weekend for the feast, it was glorious, we even had a rare minute (literally) to visit with them after friday vespers. I miss them, but they seem much healthier now that they don't have an inundation of visitors. Good for them, and if we believe in prayer, good for us too.
Missed K at church today, apparently he is ill. I finally mowed half of the lawn, Z loved being on the riding mower.
8.02.2011
exciting
I love our new house, (new to us, we don't own it, no matter)
we live at the church, and its awesome. built a chicken coop, very excited, practicing piano, had a good practice the other day which felt inspiring. work has been busy. I think there's a very good reason people only work 8 hours a day, I don't get enough family time working two jobs (when there's lots of work)
listening to podcasts from Dave Ramsey and William Lane Craig and Stumbling Homestead right now. good stuff.
and z had an epic bail at the Ryder Lake BBQ, I think it made him a little gun shy, head over heels down a hill into a thistle.
better yet, for the first time, he sang along with the theotokion last thursday, perhaps one of my favourite moments in recent history. Having a family is great, I wouldn't trade it for the world.
we live at the church, and its awesome. built a chicken coop, very excited, practicing piano, had a good practice the other day which felt inspiring. work has been busy. I think there's a very good reason people only work 8 hours a day, I don't get enough family time working two jobs (when there's lots of work)
listening to podcasts from Dave Ramsey and William Lane Craig and Stumbling Homestead right now. good stuff.
and z had an epic bail at the Ryder Lake BBQ, I think it made him a little gun shy, head over heels down a hill into a thistle.
better yet, for the first time, he sang along with the theotokion last thursday, perhaps one of my favourite moments in recent history. Having a family is great, I wouldn't trade it for the world.
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