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Self-Care

Refueling for the Educator’s Soul

When the going gets tough, rekindle your love for the profession with these 10 simple yet meaningful guidelines and ideas.

15 Ways to Navigate Imposter Syndrome

From self-doubt to standing ovations, learn how to conquer the feeling of being a “musical fraud” and truly own your role as a music educator. You’re not just playing notes, you’re playing a pivotal role in your students’ lives.

20 Ways to Set the Tempo for a Great School Year

Remember these quick practical tips, foundational ideas, insights and philosophies to remind you why you chose teaching music as your career.

All-Day Energy Hacks for Music Teachers

Don’t tire out during the school day. Try these unusual ways of keeping your energy high.

What To Do When You Don’t Know What to Do

Oftentimes, new band directors find that they don’t know what to do to improve the sound of their bands. Don’t throw in the towel. Lean on mentors and colleagues, do research and practice!

Mariachi and Mindfulness

Gratitude, sharing and using grouding words are some ways that members of Mariachi Joya and their music director find balance.

Caring Comes in Many Forms

With the recent and much-needed push to be kinder, teachers must balance caring with delivering feedback in a positive way.

An Easy Way to Rewire Your Brain

A mindfulness technique called Notice-Shift-Rewire can have lasting effects.

Before You Quit

Are you thinking of throwing in the towel? Before you make any drastic changes, examine how you got here.

5 Ways to Conquer Procrastination

Wait! Don’t Put Off Reading this Article!

Work With Your Strengths

What is the VIA Survey, and can it help reveal your super teaching powers?

How to Deal with Common Stressors

Being a music educator is a stressful job. Here are tips to deal with some common stress-inducing situations.

Zen, Qi Gong and Music

During the pandemic, an initiation into the Zen Buddhist community changed a music educator’s perspective of music-making and teaching.

Ouch! Easy Fixes for 5 Common Teacher Pains

Repetitive motions and all-day schedules put music educators at risk of physical pain. Here are a few ways to stay healthy

Stop Negative Self-Talk and Apply Strategic Arrogance

Don’t talk down about your abilities. Instead, hype yourself up to get through stressful situations — you’ll be surprised that you may actually perform better.

Introverts: Surviving as a Quieter Music Educator

They may be rarer in the field, but introverted music teachers do exist — and can thrive professionally.

Your Teacher Identity

As your career progresses, you’ll go through several stages that might include imitation, experimentation, doubt and actualization.

Ask for Help and Improve Your Teaching

Expand your circle, seek specific feedback and implement advice from colleagues and mentors — with help, you can improve quicker than if you did this alone.

10 Micropractices for Better Mental Health

A “less-is-more” approach can create mini wellness breaks for your brain.

Reducing Performance Anxiety

How can we help our students deal with nerves and anxiety before a concert, competition or performance?

It’s OK to Say “No”

Your time is valuable, so set some boundaries and don’t feel the need to say “yes” to everything.

The Science of Awe (and Why it Matters)

Awe is a specific emotion that can change how we see the world — and it might even be a key to happiness.

7 Self-Care Tips for Music Educators

Avoid burnout by creating a self-care routing that includes these seven tips.

Prioritization: Accentuate the Right Things

How do you prioritize the smart way? Set some boundaries, properly manage workload and determine what is essential.

5 Time Burglars to Avoid

As music teachers, our to-do list is long. Avoid these time burglars so you can get things done without jeopardizing classroom time.

5 Tools to Get Your Motivation Mojo Back

Try these five strategies to get your motivation motor running again.

The Power of Oxygen and Green Spaces Can Boost Student Performance

Boost your students’ focus and performance with some fresh air.

Create a Happiness Playlist

Musician and composer Mark Mallman shares how a curated song list helped him manage anxiety and depression.

The New Normal

As in-person teaching resumes, music educators must adapt and thrive as they ease into a new era in education.

Strong Bonds: The Value of Teacher-Student Connections

Your positive, supportive relationships with your students can literally make them healthier for life.

Zoomed Out? Solutions to Overcome Video-Conferencing Overload

Are you suffering from too many online meetings? Try these solutions.

Reset and Rethink New Year’s Resolutions

Forget old ideas like dieting or working out more. These approaches to New Year’s resolutions offer a fresh twist — and better results.

Adapting to Change

Change is constant. Dealing with it in the classroom means to evolve as an educator and a person.

5 Ways to Stay Positive

Don’t get bogged down in negativity. Instead, keep moving toward your goals — no matter what life throws at you.

Why Everyone Needs to Practice Self-Regulation!

Wish you could keep cool, all the time? Self-regulation skills are just the ticket.

6 Ways to Overcome Overwhelm

Even the most flexible music educators can feel overwhelmed. Here are some ways to feel confident, even in the face of swirling change.

Stay Connected During Online Instruction

Find ways to feel more connected and less isolated from students and colleagues when when teaching remotely.

The Power of a Stress-Relieving Routine

Anchor your day with a stress-relieving routine. A schedule with pockets of time carved out for self-care is vital for music educators.

Positive Mental Health Strategies

With proper planning and the right strategies, you will have a healthier outlook on life and be a better music educator.

9 Strategies to Combat Burnout

Almost everyone will experience burnout at some point in their career. Here are nine ways to deal with it.

Find a Mentor

Seek guidance from a mentor who can help you navigate those confusing and isolating early years of teaching.

Avoid Burnout

When your attitude toward your career wavers, don’t succumb to burnout. Stay inspired and inspiring rather than self-combusting.

Tips to Manage Workload and Find Work-Life Balance

Don’t get overwhelmed! Find work-life balance — and be more productive — with these six tips.