Composer - Conductor - Lecturer
Samuel R. Hazo
  • Home
    • Social Media
    • Biography
    • Testimonials
    • FAQ
  • Music
    • Just Released
    • Grade 1-2
    • Grade 3
    • Grade 4
    • Grade 5+
    • By Request Only
    • Performing My Music?
  • Photos
    • Photo Albums
    • #HazoPics
    • Hazoramic Photos
  • Store
  • Contact
    • For Guest Conducting
    • For Clinics
    • For Lectures
    • For Commissions
    • For Other Inquiries

Enjoy The "Ride" (How Summer Vacation Equals Better Teachers)

6/13/2015

Comments

 
It seems that horrible teachers are always getting the attention.  Whether in the news or online viral videos, this minority of our profession has become the “go to” for haters who are looking to bash teachers.  But, what about the great teachers?  …The inspiring ones, the compassionate ones, the first-to-school last-to-leave teachers, the demanding ones we didn’t appreciate at the time but do now?  Those who care far outnumber those who don’t.  What do those who are conscientious all have in common?  They use their summer experiences to fuel each academic year. 

Great teachers aren’t teachers 180 days a year, they are teachers 365 days a year.  Their every experience is creatively incorporated into an upcoming unit for students.  This gives their lessons a relevance to which young minds flock.

This upcoming academic year will be my 29th year of teaching.  The nine most recent years have been as a freelancer; teaching in over thirty schools and universities each year around the world.  I can claim, with absolute certainty, that my time out of the classroom has made my teaching much more interesting and effective than any in-school preparation.  Why?  …Because the real world is filled with analogies waiting to be discovered.  Analogies are what break down classroom walls.  Analogies give deeper meanings, dimension and relevance to anything.  The foundation of every student’s “Ah-Ha Moment” can be found in an analogy. 

When and where do great teachers find these analogies?  They find them when their minds are free from the preoccupation of mundane, school-year, teacher tasks that occupy all non-instructional time in their schedules.  They find them during the summer; when they stop and look to the left and the right instead of constantly straight ahead; when they have time to travel further than ten miles from their school or their house; when they can do research or make videos to share of their own experiences that have a curricular tie. 

To my fellow teachers…  As you know, the personal attribute of wanting to instruct and guide young people does not turn on and off with the calendar.  It is innate, and it needs time to refuel.  Before September, find as many analogies as you can.  The young people who guidance counselors are assigning to your classes at this very moment will be the lucky beneficiaries of your enthusiasm.  Take time to enjoy the ride this summer.  The more you do, the more gratifying next school year will be, for all.

Comments
comments powered by Disqus
    Picture

    Get Social...

    Check my social feeds.
    Tweets by @samuelhazo

    Tell Me!

    Performing My Music?
    Performances of my music will always remain a genuine honor for me. If you are performing one of my works at an upcoming concert or have already performed one of my works, please share with me by clicking "Performing My Music?" above. A live list of all submissions can be accessed by clicking below.
    PERFORMANCE LIST

    Visits

    Want Mr. Hazo To Teach At Your School?
    Mr. Hazo's teaching is as equally awarded as his music. Whether in a rehearsal or at his Keynote and Commencement speeches, listeners and participants have been left inspired and intrigued.  Students and teachers alike consistently claim that his shared philosophies are deeply relevant and their value will last a lifetime.  Click the "Want Mr. Hazo To Teach At Your School?" link above to schedule a visit.
    Appearances
    Testimonials

    Commissions

    Commissioning a Piece?
    If you would like information about commissioning Mr. Hazo to create an original composition for your ensemble that will later be performed around the world, fill out the information by clicking the button below. And to learn more about the commission process, click on the "Commissioning a Piece?" link above.
    Inquiry Form

    About Me

    (b. 1966) Samuel R. Hazo remains the only winner of both composition contests sponsored by the National Band Association.  Additionally, numerous titles of Mr. Hazo's works are included in the series Teaching Music Through Performance in Band.  He was the single writer entrusted to compose the memorials for both Virginia Tech University and the Newtown School District.  Samuel R. Hazo was twice named “Teacher of Distinction” by the southwestern Pennsylvania Teachers’ Excellence Foundation.

    Full Biography

    Archives

    July 2015
    June 2015

    RSS Feed

Music

Grade 5+
Grade 4
Grade 3
Grade 1/2
By Request Only

Contact

Guest Conducting
Clinics
Lectures
Commissions

Purchase

Music
CD's
Gifts

Social

Copyright ©2015  |  Samuel R. Hazo  |  Pittsburgh, PA  |  All rights reserved.