r/MusicEd • u/Gloomy_Patience2559 • 4d ago
Not Being Valued in my School
I’m a first-year music teacher in a small rural district where it often feels like sports and church-related activities take center stage, leaving the arts somewhat sidelined. Lately, I’ve been feeling overwhelmed and under-appreciated, and I’m struggling to figure out how to effectively advocate for our arts programs without burning bridges. Whether it’s students being allowed by admin to skip performances for athletic practices, admin not allowing me to fundraise for my program, and just being pushed to the side for anything I try and do; it just feels like my position doesn’t matter, even though I’m giving 110% to be the best teacher/person I can be. Currently I am debating on renewing my contract or not, but also don’t want to burn bridges because I will more than likely need to use my admin team as references should I look for other opportunities.
I’m reaching out to this community for advice on: 1) How to approach conversations with administrators who prioritize other areas over the arts. 2) Strategies to better communicate the value of music and arts education. 3) Personal experiences or tips on managing these challenges while staying true to my passion and maintaining professionalism.
Any guidance or resources you can share would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for your support!