Do Not Rely On Luck Alone!

Have you ever heard Clint Eastwood's character Dirty Harry say, "Are you feeling lucky punk?" Did you feel lucky on December 22 of last year as you dodged the Mayan prophecy? Have you ever uttered to the person in line behind you at the convenience store, "Well, when I win the lottery tonight, I'm retiring tomorrow." Truthfully, every one of these situations is not positive situations because they all have to do with luck. Luck is a force that can act on one's fate in either a good or a bad way. At its best, luck is a 50/50 chance, and who wants to leave your success to chance? Wouldn't you rather go through life with plans and strategies that give you the "upper hand?" Have I got a deal for you!

If you are a music teacher new to the education profession you will want to be at the Kansas Music Educators Association In-Service Workshop in Wichita, Kansas. The dates are February 21 through February 23, 2013. The ISW provides many valuable tools for all music educators, but especially those who are new to teaching! In past years, two very important events have been held for new music teachers, and this year is no exception. A proven and popular event at the KMEA ISW is one that has been described as a "highlight" and a "can't miss event." It is a question and answer session titled: "Tips from the Trenches - How to Survive the First Few Years of Teaching!" At this session you will have the chance to ask questions of a panel of experienced music teachers. This is a very casual session where any question can be asked, and we field all questions about teaching music. Who better to help keep new teachers from teaching by chance than experienced teachers who have been there and already experienced it? Each year the advice and strategies discussed during this session have proven to be very valuable resources to new music teachers.

If personal one-on-one face time is what you want from a veteran music educator, then immediately go to the KMEA website (www.ksmea.org/iswreg/newteacher13.php) and enroll in the complimentary luncheon hosted by KMEA Mentoring [registration deadline: Feb. 9, 2013]. This FREE luncheon will be offered to all new music teachers through the KMEA website when you register for the ISW. The luncheon will be held on Saturday, February 23, 2013 from 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM, just before the great afternoon of All-State performances begins. During this luncheon, you as a new teacher, will not only be served a great complimentary lunch, but you will have the opportunity to meet KMEA President Craig Manteuffel, NAfME National Executive Director Michael Butera, Senseney Music KMMA Liaison Lori Supinie, and Kansas State High School Activities Association Assistant Executive Director Reggie Romine. Attendees of this luncheon will receive information about the KMEA Mentoring Program as well as free material courtesy of NAfME.

In order to be eligible for this event, you must be:

1. new to the profession
2. teaching at the K-12 level
3. in your first year of teaching

Again, this FREE Luncheon is sponsored by Kansas Music Educators Association, Fruhauf Uniform Company, and Kansas Music Merchants Association. You must register by February 9, 2013 on the website, so run to your nearest computer and register today.

Quick! Grab your lucky rabbit's foot, your coin to toss, and your lucky charms and put them in a box high on your closet shelf, because after the KMEA ISW, you won't need them anymore. Luck will not rule your life because you will be the master of your own "teaching" domain. You will have plans and strategies to call your own that are tried and true and that will help you succeed in your classroom. A great teacher leaves nothing to chance because a great teacher doesn't need luck.