A Gallop poll conducted a few years back asked workers whether they enjoy their job. The poll found that 70% of workers were unhappy with their job and work. The majority of people pointed to their unmotivated bosses and lack of connection with the work they did. They lack purpose.
One of the big benefits of working with students is the direct impact on someone’s life. There’s a sense of purpose that fills everyday. As a music educator you don’t really know how what you do everyday will change lives, but you know you are changing lives.
So much of the joy comes from students getting better as musicians, but every great teacher also sees the other changes we help to create in our students. As a music teacher, we have a unique position to help kids from elementary school all they way to college and during those years we can make a huge impact.
I believe we are part of a rare group of people who love what they do. Do you feel that way?
Purpose is a gift we must give to our students by teaching them to love what they do. As cliche as it sounds, “If you find something you love to do, you’ll never work a day in your life.” Music has always fulfilled that for me. Whatever that is for my students, I hope they have the same discovery of purpose.
JT