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I feel this way every year at the end of the school year. It's not you; it's the situation. Our students finish their standardized tests and then have 1 month to go. In their minds, they are already done. It is very frustrating. I have a group of students this year that are fine one-on-one but when they get with their friends they are out there. I am taking a break from middle school next year and concentrating on elementary. Maybe you could look for a grade level change or teach in a different setting. Greetings,
I feel your pain. I get frustrated in all differentt kinds of teaching situations.
It sounds to melike you are over focused on the aspects of teachign that shoudl be most strongly emphasized. this is the paradox we have to dela with. With groups of motivated kids studyign privately , perhaps with somwehat demanding parents this is not a problem. Keeping up the fun levels for kids who will lose interest as they see how difficult the iasntrument really is is tough.
One thing I learnt from teachign in primary education in otehr fields is thatthe first thing one needs to do is make praise the start point. Much more than you want to do. Really keep hammering away at how good such and such an aspect of some of the most excerable renditions was. Every time we correct a kid direclty we are reinforcing the idea that they make errors. lack soemthign or that what they are trying to do is diffcult.
I also think that groups of kids may need a little more variety of pieces at teh expense of real polish to keep them interested. As longas they have the pieces on file then you can go back and review a piec at a higher level in a differnet way. For example, change the rythms, add a jzzy chord or two, some left hand pizz on open strings or double stop drones.
Try to teach in terms of imagery thorugh games. Thereis a very good book called `Playing The String Game` by Phyliss somebody or other you can get from Shar. Taht might open up a new dimension for you.
Hope this helps.
Buri Thank you both for your response and encouragement. I'm glad I'm not the only one that has felt this way. Sounds weird but sometimes my mood is determined by how well a class goes. If it doesn't go well sometimes I got to bed at night losing sleep over what I could do better. I will definitely take your suggestions into consideration! Thanks again. I've always read very positive, inspiring things from you on this site, so I don't think you have an inherent problem connecting or inspiring kids. It sounds like you need a vacation, though.

I'm also a product of public school string education and had financial limitations on the quality of lessons I received. It's hard. I admire your achieving all you have and becoming a professional musician and teacher from that background. I also still remember Mrs. Chioto and Mr. Coppola, who were my elementary school music teachers and orchestra leaders in 4th and 5th grade, with fondness. I doubt they'd remember me; especially my first year playing, in 4th grade, I was really quite an uninspiring, middle-of-the-pack student who barely ever practiced. I think everyone was surprised when I stuck with it, my parents not the least of them.

These days we're all overly conditioned to admire prodigies and preternaturally mature children, especially in music, but the reality is that most kids are not going to be playing string instruments at a "high level" in elementary school. I think it's more important to just keep them in the game until their own motivation kicks in. And you're doing that. Thank you for not giving up on them.

paul, you are in a position to give. how the kids receive is their thing. the same applies to any other profession where you do your best and that is all,,, That you are losing sleep already implies that you are a caring teacher.Teaching in a public school situation is the most difficult and demanding. Try not to get discouraged, try to play once in a while pieces that are technically really easy .Probably the class will like the piece a) because it is easy to play and b) they make a nice sound.Kids know when they sound in tune and play with a good tone.Once you have found the level where they can all participate with quality you can move on from there.Just moving through Suzuki books might achieve your goal, look at other repetoiue. That you are losing sleep already implies that you are a caring teacher.Teaching in a public school situation is the most difficult and demanding. Try not to get discouraged, try to play once in a while pieces that are technically really easy .Probably the class will like the piece a) because it is easy to play and b) they make a nice sound.Kids know when they sound in tune and play with a good tone.Once you have found the level where they can all participate with quality you can move on from there.Just moving through Suzuki books might achieve not your goal, look at other repetoire. Paul,
You are in a remarkable teaching position.
Do not dishearten,you teach music--some get it and most don't care.
What you do is really important !
Just try to do your very best !
Young kids are difficult to deal with---especially middle school kids...
Just sluff it off as experience and and enjoy your summer of complete freedom !
Someone has to be free,might as well be you.
I hope.
Middle school is mighty tough to deal with...
Really,it's just like any other occupation---you can't tell how your offerings will be accepted.
It's all a part of the human condition.
No one knows the answers,just give all your best attempt--thats all.... Paul,

Your bio suggests that you are still in university or maybe you are still at the stage of testing the water, but your last sentence in this post states that you’ve given up a lot for this path and that you wouldn’t want to give up, yet your title suggests you are contemplating change. So I figured you are in somewhat a quandary, yes?

If so, my question to you is this, do you keep on this path because you’ve invested too much in it up to this point, or because you must keep at it due to your passion, or because a commitment is a commitment, or all the above? The first reason is understandable but in my view a dangerous trap, and it doesn’t in any way justify the possibility that we may not have invested at the place that will make us the happiest and most fulfilled. Same can be said about commitment for the sake of commitment.

I don’t know if you have a chance to discuss it with some career counsellor at your university or someone with that type of expertise. What you are facing is a serious issue, as it’s about more than one's career -- it is really about being. This happens to be something I’ve been thinking about and working my way through constantly. Good stuff!

In any case, you’ll be fine if you do the best you can and keep your options open. Remember, the world is a huge place for one to grow and excel and you are never too late to change any path you’ve set for yourself, not if the change is for the best reason you are convinced of. I wish you the very best!