For the Long-Term(est) Time

There's big news in the teaching world! I have been hired as the long-term music sub for Monarch High School in Louisville, CO (about 10 miles from Boulder) as of last Tuesday! Let me tell you the story:

In mid-February, I awoke around 8:00 A.M. to the sound of my phone ringing. Having not received any job offers up to that point in the morning, I was just beginning to concede to a day off and had silenced my alarm. The automated voice on the other line asked if I would like to accept a position at Monarch High School for Kent Jones (who I had subbed for a few times before) beginning at 7:30 that morning. Usually when something like that happens, it is an emergency or the sub called in sick. So, I called the school to tell them the situation, got my act together, and flew out the door.

When I got to Monarch, there were no lesson plans, no schedules, no attendances, nothing. However, Mr. Jones' lunch was on the desk and there were scores open on the director's stand. It was as if he'd vanished. Turns out, one of the assistant principals had pulled him from class in the middle of first period. I did the best I could that day to teach and was asked to cover the rest of the week, which I pleasantly accepted.

At the end of the week, I was asked to sub for another week. And another week.

Rumors were flying from the kids and they had so many questions that were all answered by this article in last week's paper.

Officially, I am only hired until April 13 (his pre-trial conference date), but I doubt his return this year. The court systems are pretty slow in this country (lucky for me!). The school can't make a decision until the administration makes a decision, who can't make a decision until the courts do.

I'm pretty sure some of the seniors are ordering "Get Twapped" t-shirts.

I teach 2 band classes: Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Winds and 3 levels of Jazz Band, the middle one being a combo instead of a big band. The jazz concert is this Thursday and the concert band is next Thursday. I hope to get some pictures and put them up.

I am so utterly excited to be working with kids for an extended period of time again and to be able to craft lessons and musicianship. The kids are amazing and the faculty have been incredibly helpful in this process. I would really like this to turn into something full-time for next year, but the district is already cutting 5.5 teachers for next year and are debating the elimination of 5th Grade instrumental music.

Overall, I am so lucky and happy to have this opportunity. I am going to make the most of it that's for sure. It feels good to have confidence and faith bestowed upon me to step in and teach and to be told I am doing a good job. Let's just hope these performances also go well and we can move in the right direction.