by Melissa Stouffer | Jul 22, 2025 | All, The Music Classroom, Tough Situations
I’ve been dreading this post since I decided to write it. But it’s unfortunately a reality that we need to think about. I have a former student who survived a nationally known incident at a local district a few years ago and I think about her and that...
by Melissa Stouffer | Mar 19, 2024 | All, Concerts, Tough Situations
Once the weather gets warmer, we definitely start feeling the crunch. We want to be outside. The kids want to be outside. No one wants to do anything except enjoy the spring. But for teachers, it’s crunch time. Even more so if you have planned concerts,...
by Melissa Stouffer | Mar 5, 2024 | All, Odd Teaching Situations, Tough Situations
It happens. First, let me say this. If you are actually sick, please stay home. I know sub plans are a pain, and you only have limited sick days, but no one wants those germs. Sometimes you aren’t really *sick* but you’re recovering or fighting some...
by Melissa Stouffer | Mar 14, 2023 | All, Curriculum/Planning, Odd Teaching Situations, Tough Situations
Before we know it, it will be the thing music teachers dread…testing season. Testing season itself isn’t awful on us except the students seem a little more hyped….unless…you have to be quiet too. While this is super not fun nor the ideal...
by Melissa Stouffer | Mar 29, 2022 | All, The Sustainable Music Teacher, Tough Situations
Burn out is a terrible thing that I think a lot of teachers face at one point or another. Add in a situation where you teach several grade levels (Read: ALL the students in the school), have your skills put on display in the form of performances, and sometimes get the...
by Melissa Stouffer | May 18, 2021 | All, End of the Year, Tough Situations
I intended on doing another post for Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month this week, but as I contemplated what to write about, what activities to give you, I thought that isn’t what you need right now. It’s not what I need right now. What we DO...
