How many mudcatters are teachers?

Subject: How many mudcatters are teachers?
From: Deni
Date: 08 May 01 - 05:28 PM

Down our way, in sunny? Devon & Cornwall a lot of folkies seem to be teachers. Is this a trend repeated everywhere? I'm curious, Deni.

Subject: RE: BS: How many mudcatters are teachers?
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 08 May 01 - 05:35 PM

Or social workers? Dunno, but I'm a doc for my day (and sometimes night) job. Folk keeps me sane,.....I think!

Subject: RE: BS: How many mudcatters are teachers?
From: Kim C
Date: 08 May 01 - 05:37 PM

Schoolteacher, no, but I do teach knitting a few times a year.

Subject: RE: BS: How many mudcatters are teachers?
From: Eric the Viking
Date: 08 May 01 - 05:38 PM

I used to think I was a teacher, but now I'm not so sure, not even sure of my mental state any more. Just tired out and knackered and fighting the ever increasing loss of time for anything else but school work.

but I still love working with the kids

cheers

Eric

Subject: RE: BS: How many mudcatters are teachers?
From: Hawker
Date: 08 May 01 - 05:42 PM

Deni,
I know you know about me, but I'll answer anyway! I became a teacher of folk and traditions as a result of being into traditional music. I am, by training, a biologist!
A lot of doctors around us seem to be very much into folk music too....
Lucy

Subject: RE: BS: How many mudcatters are teachers?
From: KAS
Date: 08 May 01 - 06:23 PM

I'm an acting teacher and coach: acting technique, audition preparation, voice and speech, accents and dialects, movement, improvisation, and physical character work for theatre, tv, and film.

www.actortec.com
I teach to learn, and I'm pretty sure that's why I sing too.

Ken Schatz

Subject: RE: BS: How many mudcatters are teachers?
From: Roo
Date: 08 May 01 - 06:41 PM

I think the same seems to be so here in New South Wales, Australia. I can think of quite a few in the scene here who are teachers or ex-teachers (my husband Jim and I included)as well as academics.

What draws them.... the music?... the words?.... the issues?

Subject: RE: BS: How many mudcatters are teachers?
From: Noreen
Date: 08 May 01 - 06:48 PM

Yes- primary teacher here by training and inclination, but I can't take the other stresses any more which are shovelled on from above in ever increasing quantities, (hi, Eric!) so I'm leaving. Would still love to be involved in teaching/training in some capacity though...any ideas?

Noreen

Subject: RE: BS: How many mudcatters are teachers?
From: GUEST,Karen
Date: 08 May 01 - 06:49 PM

Oh Ken, where WERE you when Kevin Costner played Robin Hood with that horrid attempt of an English accent? You could have done us viewing and unfortunately listening public a great service!!

Subject: RE: BS: How many mudcatters are teachers?
From: GUEST
Date: 08 May 01 - 07:16 PM

I think about 25% of the members of the clubs I go to are teachers/ex-teachers.

Subject: RE: BS: How many mudcatters are teachers?
From: Susan from California
Date: 08 May 01 - 09:10 PM

I teach 7th and 8th grade history. Here in California that means world history in 7th and US history in 8th. Today, as I was having my students write a story about life in the British Isles following the Battle of Hastings, I played a cd of bagpipes and pennywhistle and bodrhan trad music. Since most of them listen to rap or punk or pop I was quite pleased that they didn't complain loud and long! It was a nice break from the standardized testing that seems to be all the rage here in the states.

Subject: RE: BS: How many mudcatters are teachers?
From: Paul G.
Date: 08 May 01 - 11:26 PM

My wife, who plays flute in our band teaches kindergarten. Lots of folks in the Florida folk community are teachers, media specialists, university professors. People who are interested in issues that elevate other people....

pg

Subject: RE: BS: How many mudcatters are teachers?
From: Peg
Date: 09 May 01 - 12:01 AM

I teach film studies and writing at the college level. I have also taught calligraphy in the past. And I do workshops on herbalism, aromatherapy, and modern witchcraft (history, practice).

Good comment re: Kevin Costner...I really love that film except for his AWFUL performance!

Subject: RE: BS: How many mudcatters are teachers?
From: katlaughing
Date: 09 May 01 - 12:50 AM

My sister, bet (on the Mudcat), is an elementary music teacher, going on something like, oh let's see, her first year she bought a brand-new Mustang when they first came out (just gave it to her daughter); had a couple years off, then went back, been doing it ever since, so give or take a few, at least 32-34 years.

Subject: RE: BS: How many mudcatters are teachers?
From: Terry K
Date: 09 May 01 - 02:29 AM

I don't know what you've all got against Kevin Costner - apparently he spent months and months in training under his guru Dick van Dyke.

Cheers, Terry

Subject: RE: BS: How many mudcatters are teachers?
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 09 May 01 - 02:37 AM

I was a classroom assitant for 6 months, helped with reading and sports (OK, those of you who have seen the pictures/met me, stop laughing... it was swimming and netball mostly), at primary level (7&8 yrs old) and it made me vow, never to teach children ever again!!!! I prefered to demolish the old school bus we had instead!

I have no desire to ever teach again. But I do have a job that makes me want to make a very loud, rude noise indeed, so that's why I'm into folk.... where else could you bang a drum or blow a whistle, and then sing a moving ballad about killing babies? Yum!

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: How many mudcatters are teachers?
From: nutty
Date: 09 May 01 - 03:57 AM

I'm the best kind of teacher .............. the retired kind.

After 23 years of teaching children with special needs (I was a mature student ,so over 30 when I qualified) I took early retirement. Now my desire to teach is aimed towards my two wayward dogs(both rescued).I was taken to my first folk club by friends in 1966 and have been in love with folk music and its people (well, most of them) ever since.

Subject: RE: BS: How many mudcatters are teachers?
From: Deni
Date: 09 May 01 - 04:40 AM

That's an interesting question Roo. What draws them the music or the issues...? or the thrill of having someone listen to them, I mean really listen, spellbound... i used to be a nurse by the way and now I'm a freelance writer/musician. at least my mistakes don't kill people now!!!! Hold the wise-cracks.

Next highest proportions seem to be medical staff and social workers.

Seriously, you don't think that teachers, being brainy are into history and tradition, do you? Or simply get bored when they go out and just sit there? After all, a night listening to a jukebox doesn't demand very much of you, does it?

deni

Subject: RE: BS: How many mudcatters are teachers?
From: GUEST,Sooz (at work)
Date: 09 May 01 - 07:13 AM

I'm a Science teacher and several of the regulars at our club (Gainsborough Lincolnshire) are in the education business one way or another. I like it most of the time except when I have to babysit, write reports, deal with girls who write on toilet walls.................

Subject: RE: BS: How many mudcatters are teachers?
From: black walnut
Date: 09 May 01 - 07:37 AM

I used to teach high school, English and Music. For the past ten years I've taught Early Childhood Music Classes for children and their caregivers. My youngest student right now is 2 1/2 months old.

~b.w.

Subject: RE: BS: How many mudcatters are teachers?
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 09 May 01 - 08:18 AM

I teach elementary music and try to keep folk music alive here against seemingly insurmountable odds. The favorite songs this year seem to be Bill Staine's River, Simple Gifts, and good ol' Anne Boleyn!

Subject: RE: BS: How many mudcatters are teachers?
From: LR Mole
Date: 09 May 01 - 08:19 AM

I teach (American) English at a Community College: I have been since 1978, pretty much. But I was playing before then, and the thing that makes playing better than teaching is that the audience doesn't (immediately) (aggressively) consider you their natural enemy. As hard as conversation-buzz and the occasional heckler are to overcome, it's better than sullen inertia.

Subject: RE: BS: How many mudcatters are teachers?
From: Letty
Date: 09 May 01 - 08:44 AM

I teach Old and Middle English at a German university. Funny thing is, many medievalists seem to be into folk music. In our little department, everyone also sings or plays an instrument. Maybe we should start a regular session...

Letty

Subject: RE: BS: How many mudcatters are teachers?
From: Ella who is Sooze
Date: 09 May 01 - 08:49 AM

I teach music in the evenings to kids, adults whoever at a social club, etc.

During the day I am a Graphic Designer...

Ella

Subject: RE: BS: How many mudcatters are teachers?
From: Mary in Kentucky
Date: 09 May 01 - 09:03 AM

I've taught officially and unofficially all my life. The youngest was probably a class of 3-year-olds in Bible School, the oldest a 54-year-old man in a college chemistry class (seemed ancient at the time) and a 65-year-old nun in a computer class. I officially taught college chemistry labs and lectures, High School math, and private piano lessons. I had to get a Masters degree in Education in order to teach in High School, and I particularly enjoyed the classes in Educational Psychology, Learning Theory. I left the classroom when my twin boys turned 16 so I could commute to a larger city and work as a chemist. I don't miss the classroom, there are just too many problems in public education, and math and science will take a low priority during the rest of my lifetime. I do miss working as a chemist tremendously, but MS prevents my commuting now. I currently have one piano student who keeps me on my toes and off the streets. ;-)

Subject: RE: BS: How many mudcatters are teachers?
From: Mrrzy
Date: 09 May 01 - 09:06 AM

As of this past semester (drumroll please) I am now an adjunct professor of psychology at our local community college. It's a blast. Anyone want to do my grading???

Subject: RE: BS: How many mudcatters are teachers?
From: Mooh
Date: 09 May 01 - 09:08 AM

Not a school teacher, but I have instructed occupational health and safety to adults in the past, and nowadays I teach private music lessons (guitar, bass, mandolin etc) from my home. It works out to about a halftime job with lots of potential for expansion.

There's alot of us here it seems.

Peace. Mooh.

Subject: RE: BS: How many mudcatters are teachers?
From: GUEST,Roger the skiffler
Date: 09 May 01 - 09:20 AM

Although I read Education among my degree subjects I didn't train as a teacher, but like most "Information professionals" in universities, I spend a lot of my time teaching students one to one or in groups how to find information, including finding reliable material among the dross on the internet.
RtS

Subject: RE: BS: How many mudcatters are teachers?
From: Jim the Bart
Date: 09 May 01 - 10:26 AM

My BA is in the Teaching of History, but I've spent the last 18 years as a corporate trainer; mostly end-user software classes and corporate orientation. This "career" developed out of my need to support my family, as much as anything; it was the path of least resistance when being a "country music singing sensation" didn't pan out.

Over the past few years, I find myself wanting to become the History teacher that I was trained to be. But with two teenager boys and a third close behind, it's hard to imagine justifying the paycut to "follow my bliss". I am extremely conflicted about it all. Lately the only time I feel like I'm in the right place, doing the right thing, is when I'm performing.

Subject: RE: BS: How many mudcatters are teachers?
From: Indy Lass
Date: 09 May 01 - 10:39 AM

I've been a teacher off and on. Had a Teaching Assistanceship at grad school (in Geography) and some temp work at U. of Wisconsin-Green Bay. Now I do some substitute teaching in the schools my kids attend.

Subject: RE: BS: How many mudcatters are teachers?
From: Bagpuss
Date: 09 May 01 - 10:49 AM

Not a teacher, but I am married to one (secondary, science). I'm a researcher in psychology / mental health, so I have done a little teaching to undergraduates.

Bagpuss

Subject: RE: BS: How many mudcatters are teachers?
From: Fibula Mattock
Date: 09 May 01 - 11:38 AM

Like Bagpuss I occasionally give lectures or do tutorials or supervise labs or end up with a huge pile of someone else's marking to do. And I run a Girl Guide pack, which feels like being a teacher. But I'm only a research student really.

Subject: RE: BS: How many mudcatters are teachers?
From: Tig
Date: 09 May 01 - 12:31 PM

I'm a 'supply' teacher in primary schools when I'm working - and according to some of the little dears that doesn't make me a PROPER!! teacher. However I'm a human being (?) for the rest of the time, including weekends, evenings and holidays.

The stress of bouncing between classes (anything from 3 year olds to 11 year olds in the space of half a day)can get to you even though you miss out on as much of the crappy paperwork.

The Badger escaped teaching about 7 years ago and has NO desire to return to his secondary pupils.

Subject: RE: BS: How many mudcatters are teachers?
From: CRANKY YANKEE
Date: 09 May 01 - 12:31 PM

I teach traditional Shotokan Karate in the Providence Rhode Island Public schools, does that count?

Subject: RE: BS: How many mudcatters are teachers?
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 09 May 01 - 01:03 PM

My Grannie once slept with a teacher, does that count?

Subject: RE: BS: How many mudcatters are teachers?
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 09 May 01 - 01:22 PM

Well guest, if that's the case, then I do qualify, having lived with one for over a year..... Then there's the one who's now a vicar - that's a sort of teacher.....

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: How many mudcatters are teachers?
From: Mrs.Duck
Date: 09 May 01 - 02:29 PM

No Liz that's a preacher! I would love to be an ex teacher. If I never saw another classroom again it would be too soon but unfortunately it is my occupation and when the recent census asked how many hours a week I worked I was tempted to say all of them but settled for 50! I do more paper work now than ever I did in an office and it all has to be done outside of the school day . I arrive each day at 8.15 and rarely leave much before five. Then its a couple of hours most evenings just to keep up and I probably ought to do more! Geoff qualified as a tertiary science teacher last year but has not managed to find work yet. I know so many people who have left or taken early retirement because of stress related illnesses I do wonder why I do it!

Subject: RE: BS: How many mudcatters are teachers?
From:
Date: 09 May 01 - 02:58 PM

I'm a youth worker, so I'm involved in informal social education, so that might count. On another note I believe my first interaction with folk music was when a science teacher got up in an assembly at my secoundary school (Wakeford Community School, Leigh Park...) and sang some songs with his guitar. The guy was (and is?) called Mr Sherlock. Great stuff, really enchanting. So, Thanks Mr Sherlock, if you're reading this!

Paul

Subject: RE: BS: How many mudcatters are teachers?
From: GUEST
Date: 09 May 01 - 04:19 PM

can i just say teachers ROCK espcially folkie 1s-i'm now at 6th form but in my years all nearly my music teachers have been in celidh bands and my mediateacher is Norma Watersons son.and thats just in sunny hull love Dorrie p.s my dad who is also dorrie on cat just 2 b a teacher

Subject: RE: BS: How many mudcatters are teachers?
From: bbc
Date: 09 May 01 - 04:29 PM

Grade 4-6 elementary school librarian in a small rural district NE of NYC.

bbc

Subject: RE: BS: How many mudcatters are teachers?
From: GUEST,Gern
Date: 09 May 01 - 04:34 PM

I say, Good for 'Nutty.' I too stand accused of the crime listed above. After 10 years as a high school social studies teacher, (everybody's favorite class, remember?) I'm now teaching Adult Ed part-time in GED tutoring. Allows time for writing and banjo scratching, which I also do. Glad I was a classroom teacher and glad I ain't one now. The rewards are irreplacable, but it burns you out in a hurry. The disciplinary expectations, the performance pressure, the politics, the impact of home problems, frustrating quality decline; the emotional drag is enormous. I'm currently consoling a former associate who is now struggling thru a student suicide, and I wonder what price a caring teacher pays. Once I stopped that ride, I began to doubt I could ever get on. Fortunately there are others with greater stamina, and I'm glad to hear that some come to Mudcat.

Subject: RE: BS: How many mudcatters are teachers?
From: Frug
Date: 09 May 01 - 05:15 PM

Yea I teach 'excluded' kids at a college in the midlands. Heavy stuff so I only manage 2 days a week!!!!!!

Subject: RE: BS: How many mudcatters are teachers?
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 09 May 01 - 05:19 PM

Thanks, Dorrie, and welcome to the "Cat! I have to say I love teaching more than ever, but I also find it incredibly stressful- not to mention debilitating to my singing voice by the end of the week, which is why I do so little performing.

Subject: RE: BS: How many mudcatters are teachers?
From: catspaw49
Date: 09 May 01 - 05:27 PM

I taught high school math and auto tech at a Vo-Tech for 5 years and it was the highest and lowest points in my life.

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: How many mudcatters are teachers?
From: RichM
Date: 09 May 01 - 06:15 PM

My best wishes go out to all of you who are or have been teachers, or who are in a teacher's family.

I have a son, 21 just completed 2nd year university. I have been active in his school life both primary and secondary--so I have an idea of the pressure modern teachers (and students) encounter.

As someone here said, a student's family life has a big impact on their progress and success in school. Unfortunately, teachers are sometimes expected to make up for the lack of parental guidance.

To all of you, enjoy your summer!

Subject: RE: BS: How many mudcatters are teachers?
From: GUEST,Imogene
Date: 09 May 01 - 06:23 PM

I teach sculpture at the high school level. I am new to Mudcat and have found it helpful. My students are begging for the lyrics to a song my mother sang and I can't remember it all. Anyone know or remember: "Beer, beer, beer", said the Private, "merry, merry men are we. There are none so fair as can compare to the fighting infantry." I would appreciate any help I can get. Thanks

Subject: RE: BS: How many mudcatters are teachers?
From: harpgirl
Date: 09 May 01 - 06:33 PM

I taught undergraduate social work as an assistant professor at the University of Arkansas from 77-82. I got bored with it, though and I returned to practice after I earned my doctorate.
I now keep a CEU training license and I used to teach alot of continuing education courses in social work. Lately, though I have been spread too thin to maintain the continuing education part of my social work practice.
I incorporated last year and maintaining the contracts I have and herding my eighteen year old son keeps me too busy. I always intended to return to either CE teaching or part time university teaching at some point in the future, but my secret dream job is owning and building a radio station. I just read that the FCC is again offering licenses. I'm looking into it. harpgirl

Subject: RE: BS: How many mudcatters are teachers?
From: GUEST,emily-o
Date: 09 May 01 - 06:40 PM

aaaaaaaah!!!

no, help!

i thought i'd escaped them after i'd left the school...

i was just going back to homework right now, HONEST!!!

Subject: RE: BS: How many mudcatters are teachers?
From: Susan of DT
Date: 09 May 01 - 06:58 PM

I run the science and technology degree programs at a distance learning college for adults.

Subject: RE: BS: How many mudcatters are teachers?
From: harpgirl
Date: 09 May 01 - 07:29 PM

You are a dean, aren't you Susan?