Week 2 A little late

This week, I got the privilege of following around the band teacher at Riverside. He's a good friend of mine from different theater productions we've been involved. It was interesting to see him in his element, teaching 5th graders how to play instruments. I always love to watch people in their element. Whether its competing, singing, or acting on stage, I still get goosebumps watching someone achieve their dreams.

The band room is nonexistent. He teaches lessons in the locker room. It made me and the music teacher almost feel guilty for having such a better room. Talking to him though, he definitely sees the glass as half full. He said that he prefers teaching in the locker room, because he thinks its more out of the way and so its easier to get things done. Whenever the kids meet for full band, they take stands and folding chairs into the gym and rehearse. Charlie has a rule that he does not remind kids about band. He tells them that it is their responsibility, whether they show up or not directly relates to their grade. As a result, only 4 kids showed up on Wednesday. He was not put off by this, and instead changed it into speed lessons for the four that showed up. He had them each take a corner and practice on their own. He would then go around to each individually and work with them.

Talking with him later about whether he was discouraged by the small amount of kids. He said he was a little bit, but he also appreciates the dedication by the four that showed up. He said that they work harder than some schools that have lots of people in band. It gave me some insight into the fact that sometimes numbers don't matter. It really depends on the kids and the teacher's outlook. Sometimes you just gotta see the glass half full.