September 1, 2009 — Some things in life are just undeniably ironic. I am sure you know this to be true in your own life. Today I will go to my first assignment as a substitute school teacher. It is for the orchestra teacher at Westlake High School, Austin, Texas. Now what is ironic about that? Well when I was a young lad in the 5th grade at Bonham Elementary School in Abilene, Texas I had a yearning to play some sort of musical instrument. Music was then and is now such a big part of my life and that of my family. What did I do? I chose to play the cello and did so all the way through high school. Now some 45 years later I am returning to the orchestra hall as a "sub."
Maybe I will lead the orchestra in the playing of the Finale to Beethoven's Fifth Symphony which has always been a favorite of mine. Now that is not going to happen, but it would be a blast if it did.
I am really excited about what I am going to do today. I believe teaching is in my blood. I have always enjoyed doing that in my professional life in the technical training and curriculum development I have done for adults. I don't know how much teaching would or is going to be involved here, but I certainly do not intend to be a "babysitter." Teaching young people is one of the most important things I can do in my life right now. They are the future and that is so very important...so very, very important.
So I will approach this with a completely open mind and an attitude that I can make a difference. I will learn also as I have always done in every teaching experience I have enjoyed. I look forward to what I am sure will be a challenging and invigorating experience. Together, my students and I, will explore the past, present, and the future and gain from it all...it's what really matters!
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