Hi, I'm Ben from Corrupticut!

BMW
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Posts: 14

Hi, I'm Ben from Corrupticut! Aug 5, 2013 14:13:25 GMT -5

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Post by BMW on Aug 5, 2013 14:13:25 GMT -5

Hi, all. I am Ben. I live in Bridgeport, CT, the epicenter of Edu-Deform in Connecticut. I am entering my 34th year of teaching...13 in Texas and 20 in Corrupticut. I teach band at Greenwich High School. I am glad to have found Badass Teacher through reading Diane Ravitch and Jonathan Pelto. I hope to get to know you all.

Be water, my friend.

ladywclass Forum Mod Posts: 111	Hi, I'm Ben from Corrupticut! Aug 5, 2013 16:03:34 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by ladywclass on Aug 5, 2013 16:03:34 GMT -5 Where did you work in Texas?
	Elem spec ed, 29th year (also gen ed, g/t, college experience) Indiana & Texas

rhesus New Member Posts: 7	Hi, I'm Ben from Corrupticut! Aug 5, 2013 17:05:54 GMT -5 BMW likes this Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by rhesus on Aug 5, 2013 17:05:54 GMT -5 Hi, also in CT. I have been teaching high school Latin for 13 years. I also found BAT through the Ravitch blog.

BMW
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Posts: 14

Hi, I'm Ben from Corrupticut! Aug 5, 2013 18:29:51 GMT -5

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Post by BMW on Aug 5, 2013 18:29:51 GMT -5

Aug 5, 2013 16:03:34 GMT -5 ladywclass said:

Where did you work in Texas?

I'm from the western part of the state. I taught in Odessa, Junior High School Band for 12 years. Then I spent a year as the Music Coordinator/Band Director at Angleton High School, near Houston. Family decisions brought me to Connecticut where I have been for 20 years now.

Be water, my friend.

madamjedi
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Subject: ELL Grades K-5

Hi, I'm Ben from Corrupticut! Aug 7, 2013 19:06:46 GMT -5

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Post by madamjedi on Aug 7, 2013 19:06:46 GMT -5

Thank you to all you band teachers out there!

I have a fond place in my heart as my son has been in band since 5th grade and is now in his first year of high school and participating in Marching Band!! I've seen the positive impact it has had on him. I know there's research that connects music to development of mathematical thinking/skills. He was in Algebra I in 8th grade last year and this year he will be in Honors Advanced Algebra. He took a bridging class over the summer and he seemed to find it somewhat easy, which makes my heart sing!

Thanks for all that you do for those budding music/math geniuses out there!

K-5 ELL (or EL) teacher, starting 24th year, in a suburb of Chicago.

ladywclass
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Posts: 111

Hi, I'm Ben from Corrupticut! Aug 7, 2013 19:40:13 GMT -5 madamjedi likes this

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Post by ladywclass on Aug 7, 2013 19:40:13 GMT -5

I was a 'band nerd'. Piano came first, followed by flute in 4th, 5th, and 6th grade. Then I made the totally logical switch (NOT) to trumpet in 7th-12th grades. All of my girls were in the band (flute, percussion, and euphonium). And - I also accompanied solos at contests for many, many years. The girls' band directors loved it that I would say to them, "Learning to read music and how to play an instrument are the 'bonus' of what you are really teaching these kids. They are learning to work together cooperatively to produce something larger than a single person. They are learning discipline and being responsible. They are learning to be members of a society." (And so many other things!)

Elem spec ed, 29th year (also gen ed, g/t, college experience) Indiana & Texas

madamjedi
BAT Admin

Posts: 25

Subject: ELL Grades K-5

Hi, I'm Ben from Corrupticut! Aug 7, 2013 20:22:05 GMT -5

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Post by madamjedi on Aug 7, 2013 20:22:05 GMT -5

Aug 7, 2013 19:40:13 GMT -5 ladywclass said:

I was a 'band nerd'. Piano came first, followed by flute in 4th, 5th, and 6th grade. Then I made the totally logical switch (NOT) to trumpet in 7th-12th grades. All of my girls were in the band (flute, percussion, and euphonium). And - I also accompanied solos at contests for many, many years. The girls' band directors loved it that I would say to them, "Learning to read music and how to play an instrument are the 'bonus' of what you are really teaching these kids. They are learning to work together cooperatively to produce something larger than a single person. They are learning discipline and being responsible. They are learning to be members of a society." (And so many other things!)

I couldn't agree more about what ADDITIONAL things kids learn from participating in group music-making! When my son was younger I had him in Karate to help him learn more self-discipline, but I think he actually got more out of band in that way...and so much more besides, like you said!

Our challenge for the future is whether or not we can balance Marching Band work in the summer with our family travel plans. My husband has family in Morocco and most summers we need to go there to see everyone and conduct some family business. So I don't know how we are going to be able to work this out. I know I need to have a conversation with his band director and see what the possibilities are. I'm a little worried about it....

But for now, we'll enjoy the benefits that he is getting from his current participation. He will continue to be in band regardless, just not sure if Marching Band will continue to be doable...I hope we can find a way if he wants to be able to continue with it. Right now, I think he'd choose going to Morocco over being in Marching Band.

(BTW, he's a trombone player.)

K-5 ELL (or EL) teacher, starting 24th year, in a suburb of Chicago.

BMW
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Posts: 14

Hi, I'm Ben from Corrupticut! Aug 8, 2013 8:14:23 GMT -5 madamjedi likes this

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Post by BMW on Aug 8, 2013 8:14:23 GMT -5

It's nice to hear how band has positively influenced both of you. I became a band director because of many of the same influences of which you speak. I was nerdy and a loner. My band director made me feel important and gave me purpose. He taught me that music was about progress, not perfection. He showed me how my individual progress would also make the group better. He instilled in me that there were no "bench warmers" in band and that everyone, no matter their skill or proficiency level, had something to contribute to the betterment of the whole, you just had to search out how to utilize their gifts and encourage their progress. Lastly, he told me that everyone in band was there because they wanted to be and that you can't teach a kid who has quit. I have tried throughout my career to live up to his example.

Be water, my friend.

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Post by BMW on Aug 5, 2013 14:13:25 GMT -5

Post by ladywclass on Aug 5, 2013 16:03:34 GMT -5

Post by rhesus on Aug 5, 2013 17:05:54 GMT -5

Post by BMW on Aug 5, 2013 18:29:51 GMT -5

Post by madamjedi on Aug 7, 2013 19:06:46 GMT -5

Post by ladywclass on Aug 7, 2013 19:40:13 GMT -5

Post by madamjedi on Aug 7, 2013 20:22:05 GMT -5

Post by BMW on Aug 8, 2013 8:14:23 GMT -5

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