Young teachers bailing from the classroom within the first 5 years is an epidemic. Many things contribute to this, but one factor is the expectations young teachers bring in. Are they always realistic?

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Mitch is a young conductor and teacher who believes, in his own words, “that he sucks dog-water” at teaching. So, two years into a new career as a music educator, he stepped out of the classroom. He made a post on FB recently that got my conversation. He graciously agreed to vulnerable here for me and the Choralosophy audience.

In this conversation, Mitch and I discuss the challenges faced by choir directors, particularly the feelings of inadequacy and the struggles with classroom management and student engagement. Then explore Mitch’s personal experiences in teaching, the expectations placed on music educators, and the importance of structuring effective rehearsals. The discussion also delves into communication strategies for giving concise directions and enhancing vocal warmups, ultimately emphasizing the shared struggles of educators in the field.

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Tune in now on YouTube or your favorite podcast app!

Tune in, and have your thinking stimulated and challenged. Then, weigh in yourself with your related ideas and experiences on Facebook in the Choralosophers group or over on choralosophy.substack.com Also, don’t forget to grab a reading rope for your classroom wall from the shop! Music Reading Rope

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For future rehearsal clips, find me on TikTok, Insta and FB!

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Mitch Al-Ubaidi is a musician and educator based in south-central Wisconsin. A graduate of the University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh, Mitch has always had a passion for music, spanning from guitar, piano, and choral music to music production and DJ-ing. His vocal experience includes singing with university and professional choirs, and he currently serves as director and founding member of the Rock River Singers. Previously, Mitch taught middle school choir for two years and has also served as the Bass Clef Chair for the Wisconsin Choral Directors Association (WCDA). His work reflects a lifelong commitment to making and sharing music in a variety of forms and styles.

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