When I was in undergrad and decided to add on my music education major I used to dream of what my classroom would look like.  Of course it would be brimming with instruments, colorful posters bragging the joys of music in our lives, a piano (what music room wouldn't have a piano?!) and a desk where I could put all of my pictures of my husband and myself. A plaque hanging above my door would boast my "name comma music," so everybody knew where all of the creation would take place.  The energy would be absolutely electric and music would be everyone's favorite class. 

All of that seems to be a pipe dream away because reality has set in.  I do not have a classroom, I do not even have a closet.  I teach on a cart.  My life..my classroom...is on a cart...My instruments are shoved onto a 2 by 4 space to be lugged around to 7 classes a day.  There isn't any room for posters, just one, stating the rules of music class.  My wonderful piano is a casio keyboard...so much for a high standard...

Due to NCLB and other laws that limit the creative streaks in our children, subjects such as art and music are pushed to the wayside because they have yet to be state mandated.  I am merely a push in subject, a coffee break, so the classroom teachers can recharge and begin teaching once again for that wonderful test. 

Most people think my job is simple.  Many classroom teachers think that all the kids instantly move me up to rockstar status and those pretty shows that we put on a few times a year can just be thrown together with the snap of my fingers. 

If only my job was that easy.

I lug a good 40 lbs of instruments door to door every day and create my ideal learning environment.  I think part of the reason the kids are so engaged because I am extremely passionate about what I do and what an education in the arts has to offer. 

Those test writters better realize the value of the arts because if they keep getting pushed aside, to quote Mr. Holland, "Students will have nothing to read or write about without the arts."