by Melissa Stouffer | Jun 9, 2026 | All, New Teachers, The Sustainable Music Teacher
Don’t come at me. I’ve got some hot takes. Some of it’s for all of us, some of it is for new teachers. What’s your take? 1. Set Boundaries I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again. I had ZERO boundaries before and it is SO easy...
by Melissa Stouffer | Jun 13, 2023 | All, Music Teacher Life, New Teachers
If you are on the hunt for a new job this summer, or even if you aren’t, taking time to keep your portfolio up to date is a good idea. Let’s talk a little bit about what it is, what should be in it, and how to make it eye catching. What’s in a...
by Melissa Stouffer | Jul 20, 2021 | All, Back to School, New Teachers
Congrats! You got your first job and you are PUMPED. Bring on the Target dollar spot!! Or not. Seriously, first things first. I spent thousands of dollars putting together materials for my classroom. Let’s stop normalizing teachers spending their own money on...
by Melissa Stouffer | Jul 13, 2021 | All, Music Teacher Life, New Teachers
You’ve scored the interview and you are prepping so what do you need to know? 1. Do your research Different schools have different cultures and it can even vary within the district. Know what things are important to your school, and what isn’t. Is this a...
by Melissa Stouffer | Jul 14, 2020 | All, New Teachers
CONGRATS!! You got your first job!! Your first year is tough, but I can help! Here are some of the best tips for new music teachers I have for you. Powerful Tips For New Music Teachers As we dive in, I’ve separated the tips into different categories. If you feel...