What is your teaching history?

My previous 11 years of full-time teaching was at Oak Ridge in Oak Park, Sacramento.  I taught mostly 4th grade, but also a little 3rd grade.  I also worked as a substitute for over 6 years during my “starving artist” period.  I subbed K-12.

Originally, I was going to sub for one year, but I was having such a good time with music that it lasted longer.  I learned a lot from subbing because you really have to have your classroom management together.  It’s never “your class.”  You also get to see how hundreds of teachers set up their classroom and what different grade levels are like – from elaborate 3rd grade rooms to lazy football coaches who “teach history.”

I discovered early on that I really like teaching diverse student populations.  You learn a lot from the kids and it’s great to see them take off and do great things once they have the opportunity and tools to do it.  I also like the feeling of contributing to the country/world.

What brought you to teaching?

It’s kind of cliché, but the excitement of learning is a big part of it.  There’s also the ego-feeding part of it.  You get to be up on stage and explain things.  Plus, all the opportunities to tell jokes and be a dork.  It’s such a hard job, if you’re not going to enjoy the fun parts, why even do it?  Kids are usually the best comedians, even when they’re not trying to be funny.

I hate the expression, “Those who can’t, teach.”  That said, I have met a few teachers that fall into that category.  I think some of us just wouldn’t feel right doing something corporate and being driven by the need to make more dough than the next guy.  It’s too bad that there is a corporate element to the current reform movement in education.  Some people just don’t get it.  They think teaching kids is the same as selling flat screen televisions.

Tell us about your blog –

I just started the Lather Records blog a couple of months ago.  It’s mainly an easier way to update the news portion of Lather Records.  It’s not meant to be an everyday posting factory.  So far it’s been fun.  I just did my first non-Lather post about the Jandek show I went to.  I’ve been running my little coop label for around 20 years, and occasionally I do something like this to catch up with the times.

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