Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Scrumptious Snacks and Parent Parables

Yet another dusting of snow! This is a much kinder, gentler winter day in Wisconsin than the past three. Temperatures are above zero, a balmy 16 degrees Fahrenheit, and the wind is rather mild. While I am sure the maintenance crew at my apartment complex appreciates the warmer temperature, I am positive they are less pleased with the 4-5 inches of snow forecasted to fall throughout the evening and the potential for 4-6 more on Wednesday. I sincerely hope they receive a generous year-end bonus for all of their hard work. Look at the huge pile of snow next to my car!




However, the frigid, blustery days have been good gravy making days for some of my students. Look at the fantastically artistic cookies they made for me! They made a letter A and decorated it in one of my favorite colors. How delightful!



The cookies are a product of a mother and daughter (with the help of the younger daughter, too) who take joint oboe lessons with me. This leads into my first topic series: The Parent Parables. Needless to say, parents are an ever-present force in any educational or extra-curricular setting. Whether it is school, soccer practice, or piano lessons, parents can become a teacher’s invaluable ally or obstinate barrier. Through my relatively short career I am blessed to have many positive parental experiences, yet I have had some particularly unpleasant encounters. The Parent Parables series will explore the different types of parents and their involvement, or lack of involvement, in the activities and interests of their children. Stay tuned for the first installment.

Have an experience to share? Please leave a comment or send an email (hobojabasa@gmail.com).

4 comments:

  1. I too am an oboist going back to school for teaching certification, in the form of a second bachelor's degree in music ed. I look forward to reading your posts! Maybe someday I'll be bold enough to have a blog of my own.

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  2. Oh yes, I have stories. But I try extremely hard to keep quiet about them, as my parents and students are well aware of my blog! :-)

    If you'd like to be added to my blogroll feel free to email me at pattyoboe [at] mac [dot] com

    Cheers!

    (I put my email up that way because it doesn't get "seen" as easily by those spam folks who love to find our email addresses.)

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  3. Welcome to the fun world of blogging!!
    Your world looks like ours (Western Oregon - we're more 'known' for RAIN - but currently have SNOW snow SNOW - ~ 20" or so - didn't snow today - but my car is a bump in my drive!
    I teach a bit of harp, once had a very dediated teen home schooler who was studying religions (buddhist & celtic - hence the harp) who was a breeze to teach, a few adults . . . I 'do' healing work & play around the community.

    Be well & happy yule!

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  4. I just came over from Molly's blog to say hello and welcome her sister to blogland! We had a couple of snow storms here in NY over the last week but nothing like what you've got. I'd have to hibernate if I lived in Wisconsin. I'm such a wimp when it comes to cold. My best wishes on your new blog! Serena Pia

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