R-E-S-P-E-C-T Revisited, Part 1

Music teachers without their own classroom at times run into problems with classroom teachers. Here are suggestions on ways to approach these challenges courtesy of the general music forum:

Some problems

Teachers treating the music teacher as if he or she’s in the way
A cluttered floor, which precludes movement activities
Teachers talking during music instruction to a colleague or on the phone
Locked classrooms
Teachers keeping students from music instruction to make up work

Possible Solutions—with Faculty

Speak to teachers whose classrooms are causing problems.

Wait until you can speak to them with diplomacy and a cool head.
Make specific, polite requests: “Could you please make sure the floor is clear tomorrow? We’ll be dancing the polka, and I don’t want anyone getting hurt.”
Promise to leave the classroom in as good or better condition than you found it (and follow through).
Keep teachers updated on what you need/want to teach your class.

Talk to your principal.

Outline how certain problems impede student learning.
Document problem behavior: Explain your plan, how it met national standards, how you followed the schedule, and how the teacher interfered.
To avoid being pegged a complainer, focus on how student learning was interrupted or impeded.
Point out that state laws list music as a core subject. Find out about your state at Arts Education State Policy Database.
Ask the principal to explain to classroom teachers that they must share their classrooms and cooperate fully.
Invite your administrator into your classes to observe your teaching; share your objectives and what students are learning.
Get approval to have a master key, so you’re never locked out of a classroom or multipurpose room.

Solicit collaboration on cross-disciplinary learning. Start small, maybe with 1 or 2 teachers. MENC member Andrea Peterson said, “When other teachers saw how powerful a learning experience it was, more people got on board.”