As many of you may know, my wife is an elementary school ESOL teacher. ESOL means she teachers English to non-English speakers. She’s been miserable at her school for years now, with it getting worse every year. She’s been looking to change schools, but ESOL opportunities have surprisingly been hard to find.

This year she decided to think outside the box and applied for a music teacher position. She thought it was a real long shot, as she’s not currently certified to teach music, but nothing ventured, nothing gained right?

She interviewed this afternoon and felt good about it. She thought it went well but knew she was still a long shot. Well, the principal just called and offered her the position! We’re thrilled beyond words! Everything about this change will be overwhelmingly positive.

It will be a lot of work though as she prepares for a completely new curriculum and to take the required exams to get credentialed. It’ll be worth it though, as it sounds like this will be a great school with an amazing team of people.

We’ll be heading off on our big trip Thursday on the highest of highs.

Hi Drew

That's great to here, wishing her all the best.

Regards Steve

Fantastic news! The British equivalent is TEFL - Teaching English as a Foreign Language.

Does she play or sing? That's a fantastic opportunity and a real lesson in "nothing ventured nothing gained".

RichM wrote: ↑Tue Jun 10, 2025 9:25 pm Fantastic news! The British equivalent is TEFL - Teaching English as a Foreign Language.

Does she play or sing? That's a fantastic opportunity and a real lesson in "nothing ventured nothing gained".

She’s got a strong musical performance background and has often incorporated music in some capacity into her lessons, but she lacks the formal accreditation to teach music. She’s got a year to get that, though. I think what got her the job was her obvious passion for music and view that music is a way to connect with students and bridge gaps with learning and content. Per the principal, “Listen, anyone can teach elementary school music. I want the kids to have fun and learn to love music.”

magicman wrote: ↑Tue Jun 10, 2025 8:56 pm Hi Drew

That's great to here, wishing her all the best.

Thanks, Steve!

That new principal has the right attitude! Great stuff!

Bon Voyage, and my most enthusiastic contrafibularities to Mrs JKB.

Take that Panama on the QM. You need a proper hat, and I expect photographic evidence!

Have a wonderful time!

Congratulations to the appointee and to Mr Support Network!

I'm guessing this exciting new opportunity is within commuting distance?

A big congrats is in order! Not only does it sound like the principal and school are in good order, but teaching music in school in my opinion is of much greater importance than it’s typically treated. It sounds like your wife will really enjoy it.

Does she have a particular instrumental specialty? I taught piano and percussion myself for a while, individually (not at a school, but at a local music shop). Then went the audio engineering route, worked in some recording studios, before taking the obvious career path into insurance claims

ajax87 wrote: ↑Wed Jun 11, 2025 8:00 pm A big congrats is in order! Not only does it sound like the principal and school are in good order, but teaching music in school in my opinion is of much greater importance than it’s typically treated. It sounds like your wife will really enjoy it.

Does she have a particular instrumental specialty? I taught piano and percussion myself for a while, individually (not at a school, but at a local music shop). Then went the audio engineering route, worked in some recording studios, before taking the obvious career path into insurance claims

Her direct background with music is in vocal performance. She’ll definitely need to brush up on her piano skills and sight reading of music by the fall. We’ll call someone out to tune our piano as soon as we get back from the trip.