You signed on the line and are now the proud owner of your first teaching contract. You've been eyeballing teaching materials, checking out the room, planning its decor.......but what else do you need to do to be ready for the end of summer?

I know you just got out of college, but if you get the opportunity, attend some workshops and reading sessions pertaining to your grade level. You not only get some wonderful, fresh ideas, but often, some free material to boot! This also gives you an opportunity to communciate with other teachers who have been "out in the trenches" so to speak. Build up your network of teacher friends. They come in awfully handy later! You never know when you'll need to borrow music, get a new idea, figure out a new way of working with parents............

Take advantage of the Internet. I know, you already are, since you're here:-), but joining an e-mail list can keep you going on a daily basis. This is another great network, and so far-reaching! To check out some of the several e-mail lists out there, sign up at Yahoo!'s e-groups. For elementary music, it's tough to beat the list courtesy of K-8 Magazine. You are going to find helpful people with super, super ideas. Make sure you have a good printer, print out the ones you like, and keep a binder going!

Seek out the other music teachers in the district and try to meet them prior to the start of school. They can give you great insight on programs, district policies, and the community in general. One note of warning, though: if they get too negative, you might want to buddy up with a different teacher, even one who is not a music teacher. You don't need negative impressions going in, especially if they're false. It would be very difficult to erase those impressions. Besides, your reaction to situations and theirs can be totally different. But, again, a positive teacher is a great source of inspiration, as well as a place to get ideas that work!

On this subject of experienced teachers in the district, if you haven't already been informed of this, find out if there is a mentor program. A mentor is an experienced teacher in the district, usually either in your subject level or building, that helps you through the first year with discipline advice, district traditions, and all those other things you never learn in college. If your district doesn't offer this, it doesn't mean that you can't unofficially "adopt" a mentor!

Get to school early in the summer. Chances are, you'll run into teachers from your building. This is a nice, relaxed atmosphere to get to know them, too. Teachers from your building can reinforce the policies your principal has already filled you in on, and fill in the holes besides. And remember, during program time, you're going to need these teachers on your good side!

Don't ignore the support staff, especially the custodians! The custodians may end up being your best friends in the entire building. Get to know them and get their input on sound equipment, risers, and the like. Sad to say, custodians are often ignored until there's a problem or a request. People don't often realize how they are a strong backbone of the building. The same goes for the secretary.

If you've been given money to spend already, HOLD ON!!! It's tempting to go out and buy all the neat stuff available for music teachers, but you probably have all year to spend it. Why go out and buy something that you'll find out later you may never use? Unfortunately, you probably won't get to use all the great ideas you learned in the first year. Wait to give yourself a feel for the personalities of the building and the curriculum in general.

Give yourself time to REALLY do your room up right (make sure that all the floors have been done, first!). You need to have your room set up so that it's organized for you (because you will feel disorganized anyway!) and open to the students. Also, set it up so that it can avoid any discipline problems. Kids are going to want to hit on any instrument that is setting out (yes, this means high school, too!), so if you use them as decoration, make it a little difficult for them to reach without being obvious. Put your music series in such a place as to make the books easy to pass out and collect at the end of class. Organize your percussion by shakers, skins, metals, and woods (for elementary). Label any place where kids may have to get things. Put up cheery, welcoming posters, as well as class expectations.

Now, cross your fingers, 'cause the end of August or the beginning of September is approaching! Next month...........THE FIRST WEEK

For you more experienced teachers.........if any of you have any more suggestions for first year teachers in getting ready, please let us know!