Part of the Experience

Every now and then I get to be part of something wonderful.  I get a glimpse into the lives of students and see true learning and true understanding.  Last week I witnessed in a roundabout way one of these moments.  I substituted as a band teacher at one of the local high schools.  At this school, all of the arts teachers shared an office space in one long little hallway outside the choir and band practice rooms.  I was in that office between classes with the choir, orchestra, and drama teachers.  During one of my planning periods the drama teacher read the choir teacher something one of  her senior drama students wrote.  The student wrote, "When you are doing something that is a passion, it's not about being the star but about being able to be part of the experience."  The drama teacher further explained that this student had this epiphany while at an college interview.  The interviewer asked the student about her extra curricular activities and wondered why she would continue to be involved in theatre productions without ever having a staring role.  The two teachers were ecstatic reading the student's response.  One teacher even said, "She gets it!"  This student understands that art is not about getting the solo, getting the lead, or even getting all the attention.  Art is about doing your best and being a part of the artistic process.

These moments are the reason that teachers teach.  Teaching is about watching students understand life and understand something more about themselves.  Often these ah ha moments aren't even about something in the curriculum.  These are the moments that just happen.  As teachers, it's important to remember to let these moments happen, even if it means getting a little behind in your lesson plans.