The previous three articles in the "First Day Of Doom" series reflect a survival mode of thinking. However, there are other, more positive outlooks in your preparation as a beginning music teacher. Yes, the job is difficult. But there are many sources of guidance and one should remember the rewards.

MENC member Mitchell Robinson says, "Presenting the entry to our profession as some sort of 'survival' trial only serves to trivialize what is a complicated, complex process—and not just for music teachers, but across many professions. The proliferation of band director 'survival camps', and music teacher 'boot camps' only entrenches this over-simplification, doing nothing to help ease the transition to the profession for our newest colleagues."

Finding your local area association is a good place to start. A mentor can give you help in the form of encouragement and guidance. They can help you remember the larger picture of professional development so you don't get lost in the smaller, immediate details.

MENC member Michael Smith says, "With the right kind of support, though challenging, first years can be tremendous times of both personal and professional growth."

Related Resource—"Great Beginnings for Music Teachers: Mentoring and Supporting New Teachers", edited by Colleen M. Conway, Rowman & Littlefield Education.

Related Resource—The MEJ Mentoring Series, November 2005 to May 2006, edited by Michael V. Smith.

Related Resource—MENC Mentors

Related authors on the subject—Paul Haack, Lisa DeLorenzo and Patricia Kruger.

Mitchell Robinson is Editor for Music Educators Journal, College of Music, Michigan State University.

Michael V. Smith is Chair, Music Education for The Benjamin T. Rome School of Music, The Catholic University of America.

Read Part One
Read Part Two
Read Part Three

—Paul Fergus, September 24, 2009. © MENC: The National Association for Music Education