If I'm being honest, reading is the last thing I think to do. Listening to music? Yes. Watching Netflix? 100%. Watching my toddler and doing a thousand loads of laundry? All day every day.
That being said, reading is such a vital part of our professional development. Learning from every authors passion, experience, wisdom, and unique perspectives through their writing is an invaluable tool that impacts our growth as educators. So without further ado, these are a few of my favorite MUST READS for music educators right now!! Dare to Lead by Brené Brown
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I'm about half-way through my first Brené Brown book, "Dare to Lead." Although it was written pre-pandemic, it couldn't be more relevant with all the uncertainty surrounding us. Brené's words about finding the courage to be a great leader through the unknowns struck a chord, and I sincerely believe those who can do so will come out with stronger music programs on the other side.
Want to read this book? Order on Amazon below!
During a time of difficult change and uncertainty, daring leaders might sit with their teams and say...
I've been reading this book through two lenses; one lens is the view of a classroom teacher, and the other is being on the receiving end of school or district leadership. Or, simply put, the way we give leadership, and the way we receive it. Brené says a few great things I want to unpack, and my hope is that it might inspire music educators through the unknowns to lead with courage.
"During a time of difficult change and uncertainty, daring leaders might sit with their teams and say, these changes are coming in hard and fast, and I know there's a lot of anxiety - I'm feeling it too, and it's hard to work through. It's hard not to take it home, it's hard not to worry, and it's easy to want to look for someone to blame. I will share everything I can about the changes with you, as soon as I can."
I hate to assume, but I'm guessing many educators still don't know their plan for the Fall, or if they do, there is still uncertainty about music classes. Most of their decisions regarding their classes won't be their own. I wish I could wave a wand and voila! Everyone leading our schools would communicate to their teachers with clarity and sensitivity, like the quote above. If you wish that too, I think it's OKAY to ask for clarity, and to SHARE what supports you need. Brené's whole book is about vulnerability and tough conversations, so if you need some inspiration there go ahead and "add to cart now". Blame and worry are dangerous ground to stand on... don't get sucked in and don't let it consume your energy (and think of it this way - do you want your students to react that way to YOUR leadership?) Instead focus on what IS possible and what YOU can do to lead your students and families in a positive manner regardless of how you are being lead yourself.
How can we, as educators, comfort through our leadership? How can we build UP our students and parents regardless of what the fall looks like? Of course this will look different for every school and community, but I think Brené shares how we can start that process with these questions:
"What does support from me look like? What questions can I try to answer? Are there any stories you want to check out with me? And any other questions you have?..."
Consider connecting with your parents and students NOW to build trust and foster a sense of community as you travel through this new territory together. It doesn't have to be big, maybe you start small and connect with your senior class. Or maybe it's the incoming sixth graders who would be too shy to ask questions. Maybe it's a handful of students or trusted parents you feel comfortable reaching out to so you can feel out what they are anticipating as they return to school. Regardless, this connection could be exactly the leadership your program needs.
And finally, quite possibly my favorite gem in the book so far:
"During a time of difficult change and uncertainty, daring leaders might sit with their teams and say, these changes are coming in hard and fast, and I know there's a lot of anxiety - I'm feeling it too, and it's hard to work through. It's hard not to take it home, it's hard not to worry, and it's easy to want to look for someone to blame. I will share everything I can about the changes with you, as soon as I can."
I hate to assume, but I'm guessing many educators still don't know their plan for the Fall, or if they do, there is still uncertainty about music classes. Most of their decisions regarding their classes won't be their own. I wish I could wave a wand and voila! Everyone leading our schools would communicate to their teachers with clarity and sensitivity, like the quote above. If you wish that too, I think it's OKAY to ask for clarity, and to SHARE what supports you need. Brené's whole book is about vulnerability and tough conversations, so if you need some inspiration there go ahead and "add to cart now". Blame and worry are dangerous ground to stand on... don't get sucked in and don't let it consume your energy (and think of it this way - do you want your students to react that way to YOUR leadership?) Instead focus on what IS possible and what YOU can do to lead your students and families in a positive manner regardless of how you are being lead yourself.
How can we, as educators, comfort through our leadership? How can we build UP our students and parents regardless of what the fall looks like? Of course this will look different for every school and community, but I think Brené shares how we can start that process with these questions:
"What does support from me look like? What questions can I try to answer? Are there any stories you want to check out with me? And any other questions you have?..."
Consider connecting with your parents and students NOW to build trust and foster a sense of community as you travel through this new territory together. It doesn't have to be big, maybe you start small and connect with your senior class. Or maybe it's the incoming sixth graders who would be too shy to ask questions. Maybe it's a handful of students or trusted parents you feel comfortable reaching out to so you can feel out what they are anticipating as they return to school. Regardless, this connection could be exactly the leadership your program needs.
And finally, quite possibly my favorite gem in the book so far:
I'm asking everyone to stay connected and lean into each other during this churn so we can really rumble with what's going on. In the midst of all this we still need to produce work that makes us proud.
COULD THIS BE ANY MORE RELEVANT TO MUSIC CLASSES!??!? Oh my gosh. Say it louder for the people in the back!!!!
It's OKAY to ask your students to connect and be present and work through this tumultuous time. It's OKAY to let them know you're working through it too. It's OKAY to ask them to work hard at making your music class a family, especially if the in-person connection can't always be there. And most importantly, it's OKAY to hold them accountable to making beautiful music that they (and you!) are PROUD OF. That may look different this year, and that's okay, but as a music class there is so much that can be done and it will take a great leader (YOU!) to inspire students that not only can they do great things, that those great things MATTER. "In the midst of all this, we still need to produce work that makes us proud."
It's OKAY to ask your students to connect and be present and work through this tumultuous time. It's OKAY to let them know you're working through it too. It's OKAY to ask them to work hard at making your music class a family, especially if the in-person connection can't always be there. And most importantly, it's OKAY to hold them accountable to making beautiful music that they (and you!) are PROUD OF. That may look different this year, and that's okay, but as a music class there is so much that can be done and it will take a great leader (YOU!) to inspire students that not only can they do great things, that those great things MATTER. "In the midst of all this, we still need to produce work that makes us proud."
Love this quote? PIN it for later!!
“Section 1: The Moment and the Myths.” Dare to Lead: Brave Work, Tough Conversations, Whole Hearts, by Brené Brown, Random House Large Print Publishing, 2019, p. 35.
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