Today marks only 3 days left with students and soon the end of my 20th year in teaching. With the 20 year milestone looming it is difficult not to look back. So in this series of posts I will write abut my past experiences in education and how technology played a part.

My first teaching job (1987) was at Ridgewood Local Schools in Coshocton County, Ohio. I actually interviewed for the position before I had secured my degree from Bowling Greeen State University or Ohio teaching certificate. I was marching in my second local parade with the Ridgewood Generals the day I graduated from BGSU. I got my diploma in the mail.

I was a young and cockey band director taking over a waning band program. In addition to HS band I taught Jr. High Choir, Band and beginning band at 3 different locations. My second year they made me teach general music at the Elementary level in addition to my band director duties. I was too stupid to know that they were working me to death. I met my first wife while teaching in Coshocton Co.

I had never been to a marching band competition let alone marched or taken a group to a HS competition. I found out quickly that MB competition was going to be difficult for me to enjoy. I used my Apple IIgs to keep track of band rosters and played around with computer aided drill design with the first ever Pyware software. I enjoyed mild success with competitions when I decided to interview at another school that offered a position that was 100% band instruction-no general music.