COLUMNIST AMANDA POLASKI: It?s time to teach
If you read my column ? and chances are, if you are my mother, you read my column ? then you will know that my first passion, and what I have always wanted to be when I grew up, was a teacher. Although I thoroughly enjoy writing for The Advance, and I did not have intentions of leaving so abruptly, I have been offered an opportunity to teach, and I would be a fool to turn it down.
Oddly enough, my monthly planner did not have this resignation penciled in anywhere; however, I heard recently that if you ever wanted to hear God laugh, then you should tell him your plans ? meaning, nothing ever really goes as planned. Life seems most abundant when you are least prepared for its goodness. For the past week, I have been substitute teaching as the elementary music teacher for the Rogers City Elementary School. I?ll be the first to admit, I?m not a genius on the piano, and I believe the only time I really sing well is in the shower, but I am thoroughly prepared to do my best in order to offer a well-rounded musical education for the time that I am there.
My first week of school went pretty well, considering I did not have that much time to prepare for my new role. I think one of the best attributes of a good teacher is the ability to adjust to rapidly changing situations ? to be able to accommodate to the moment at hand. Whether I pulled this off successfully this week could be debated, but I felt that I did a pretty good job. I had students snapping fingers, tapping toes, singing nursery rhymes, and playing the triangle like it was nobody?s business. Mind you, I was in a complete flop sweat the entire time, but I did it. There is nothing comparable to that feeling of watching a classroom of students leave your room, humming, whistling or giving a little cheer in the air ? in other words, using the lessons you just taught.
Because I am new at this role, I am also a bit intimidated by the task at hand. I so much want to succeed at it, that it becomes a bit nerve-racking when sitting down to figure out the week?s lesson plan. I suppose if I weren?t nervous, then the rest of you should be worried. I just want to make sure that I am covering every base I need to cover, and yet be able to fit in a lesson or two that are pleasing to the students, and not putting them into deep comas.
I don?t recall ever having a music class when I was in elementary school. I do remember my fourth grade teacher at St. Ignatius breaking my class into groups in order to memorize songs of our choice. My group memorized and performed ?Old Time Rock-n-Roll? by Bob Seger. Oh, how the times have changed. I can just imagine what some of the song choices would be now ? I?m fairly certain that most of Beyonce?s and Korn?s music is not necessarily fitting for the elementary classroom. (If you don?t know who Beyonce or Korn is, good for you.) I really don?t want to see the day when a group of fourth grade students has nothing better to do than memorize rump-shaking songs. But, hey ? it?s all music, right? To each his own, I suppose. I?ll stick with Bob Seger and rock-n-roll. I still remember all of the words, by the way. So, it must have been a darn good music lesson from a darn good teacher.
And yet, this change in my life?s direction leaves me with the decision of leaving the paper and writing for all of you. I have received numerous nods of appreciation from peo
It has been an honor to work for Rich Lamb, and to work alongside of Peter Jakey. I don?t believe these men are given enough credit for the work they put out each and every week. I have also enjoyed working with ?the ladies? of The Advance ? and believe me, you have enjoyed their hard work as well.
Hopefully, with a little more luck on my side, I?ll be teaching for a long time to come. And hopefully, you haven?t heard the last from me yet.