by Rachel | Uncategorized
On Friday afternoon, the spring session ended and I taught my LAST LESSON EVER in the original Music Therapy Connections studio. My lovely student Grace was happy to pose in a few pictures commemorating the occasion and showing off the extremely empty digs.
The very next day, my helpful (and strong) brothers-in-law came over to help my husband move the last remaining item — the piano — into the new studio. It was sort of sad to close the doors of the room that has served me so well over the past two years; it’s the end of an era.
It won’t stay empty for long: the room will be a temporary home to a few miscellaneous furniture items in the coming weeks. Zach and I had plans to make that happen this weekend, but after all the painting, organizing, picture hanging, and arranging I did over the last three days, my energy is drained.
Speaking of all that, I have lots of pictures to share in my next studio renovation progress update! A lot has happened since my last pathetic update…and you’ll get to see it all later this week.
by Rachel | Uncategorized
This morning, one of my co-workers asked me if I was ready for my “final hurrah” at The Hope Institute, and I thought that made a great title for this post.
Four years ago, I started a new tradition at Hope: an all-school spring singalong. I rounded up some of my musician co-workers and started a band, complete with drums, bass, rhythm guitar, and vocals. Every year since, I’ve looked forward to this event all spring long.
Today is that day. The picture above is from last year’s singalong, and I realized that I’m wearing those same shoes again this year :) I’ve chosen a dozen of my students’ favorites tunes, made up packets of lyrics for everyone, and set up the instruments and sound equipment. Now all that’s left is to rock out!
by Rachel | Uncategorized
I have to admit: pulling a cart from classroom to classroom took some getting used to at first. Four years later, though, my trusty cart is like an extension of myself. That and my guitar, of course.
I know very well that I’m not the first music therapist or teacher to travel with a cart. The speech therapists and art specialist at my school do the same, and it works extremely well for our students. They get to stay in their classroom or activity room, where they feel the most comfortable, and we take only the materials we’ll need on that particular day.
That being said, I wish I had a third eye to keep on my cart during particular music therapy sessions. It can be a little too tempting for several of my students at times, especially when there are favorite instruments or equipment on it. Some teachers keep a sheet over their carts while working with students, which is not a bad idea at all.
So what do I put on my cart? Well, the instruments change from week to week, as do any visual aides or props that accompany my activities and interventions. Every so often, I’ll bring along my iPod and speaker, which I use as positive reinforcement for a few classes. My visual schedule and guitar stand are cart staples, since I use them every day in every classroom.
Pretty soon, I’ll be passing my cart down to my intern, who will be taking my place when she graduates and I go full-time with my private practice. It has served me well over the years, though I’m not sure how much I’ll miss the fun of squeezing it in and out of my office several times a day!
Do you travel by cart, too?
by Rachel | Uncategorized
When it comes to private practice, scheduling is an art. Usually I don’t mind it at all; in fact, I even look forward to it. But this time around, with over 50 students to schedule, I’m not gonna lie: I was nervous.
I sat down at my computer yesterday with all my students’ preference sheets, prepared for several frustrating hours of work. However, all that worrying was for naught..because I was finished within 45 minutes!
Not only had I managed to fit every last student (54, to be exact) into my pre-determined studio hours, but I even managed to schedule a couple of 15 minute breaks throughout the week. I’ll appreciate myself for doing that later this summer, when I’m in the middle of a 14-student day and in desperate need of a snack or bathroom break :)
Once I had the schedule completed, it was time to email all of my students’ families to let them know their designated day and time. So far I’ve only heard positive feedback, and I’m crossing my fingers and toes that the trend continues. Because one change could lead to a domino effect, especially with so many siblings needing back-to-back time slots.
Have you celebrated a scheduling success lately? It feels good, doesn’t it!
by Rachel | Uncategorized
Each time one of my students completes a level in a lesson book, masters a particularly difficult piece, or receives an award in a competition, his or her picture goes up on the studio bulletin board — or “Wall of Fame” as I like to call it.
Only my students and their parents see the bulletin board, but what about posting pictures and videos of students on my website (as I did with Sergei above) and Facebook page?
The answer is simple: you MUST ask for parents’ permission to do so. Each spring, I have parents fill out a yearly survey which includes the following question:
Do I have permission to feature pictures and/or videos of this student (never using last name) on my studio bulletin board, website, and/or Facebook page?
Parents then have three options: 1) Yes; 2) Please ask on a case-by-case basis; or 3) No. Once they have signed the form, I keep it on record until the following year.
Amazingly enough, I’ve not had one parent mark “no” in response to that question. However, I never take advantage of their trust, which means I share students’ photos and videos very sparingly. But every once in a while, it’s nice to showcase students and give them the thrill of seeing themselves in a public space.
Do you have a media release option for your students?
