World of Pageantry

Next year i reallly want to be a guard instructor. I'm not really sure how to get into it though. I'm not really getting taken seriously by the people who can help me, so I'm pretty much on my own. Does anyone have suggestions on how to get started? I'm in the bay area, looking to teach middle/high school guards. thanks so much!

talk to ur own instructor and maybe they can help you achieve your goal!

You may want to check you local circuit web site. Most have classified ads for schools in need of instructors. Good luck!

My advice to you is always ask lots of questions.

1. Why do you want to do this? Who will benefit from your expertise?

2. What experience do you bring to this activity? A band director might want to know.

3. How organized are you? Do you know how to supervise a rehearsal? Can you organize a whole tournament day? Can you organize a winter guard performance day?

4. How resourceful are you? Can you find that final 5 yards of gold tissue lame material for your flags? What place has the best jazz shoes for cheap?

5. Are you willing to communicate with parents? They'll want to know who you are and what your plans are for their child. Do you have a discipline plan in place?

6. What is your rehearsal strategy? You will always be out of time. How will you maximize that time.

7. Do you understand the rules of the game? Field, Street and Winter Guard each have different and unique rules. Do you know them?

8. Are you willing to be scrutinized by a school district? They'll want to know all about you and your past if you're going to teach their kids.

Questions....do have the answers to all of them? They'll ask you plenty....parents, students, band directors, judges, colleagues. How will you respond?

ive only hade the pleasure of having horrid parents at 1 school i taught at, i am no longer there and its like the best feeling ever.

when the parents think they ar the band director, and have more control of the band then he/she does, PLEASE think about why your still there. if the kids are great stick it out...if not, u know what to do.

band directors are great, but if u run into one who doesnt know what he or she is doing...run!

-rich

my first instructing gig was actually with my alumni hs, under my instructor. the gig i'm at now i was hired on by my hs director (who has since left my high school and is teaching at a middle school).
i say use the resources around you. your instuctor, director, friends...it's the easiest way to get known. step out the box and ask other instructors, too. you may find a gig somewhere else, maybe even your rival school.

thanks so much for your help! i think i'm making progress, i'll find out tomorrow i suppose...

Best thing to do, introduce yourself to any and everyone. If you are after a particular school, ask if you can be a tech. Teaching is a whole different ball game from being a performer. You are responsible for a whole lot of things. If you have never been in an instructors shoes, teching for a guard would be a great way to test the waters.

I have been an instructor for over 8 years in the bay area. I instruct for Ygnacio Valley. The only thing is, try not to think about getting paid. Almost all the districts in the area are broke and are losing their programs fast. Being in the Benicia district, you should know that. Look for a great band director that supports their program. I heard a rumor that Antioch high school lost their guard director recently. FYI.

thanks for the info, and i'm DEFINITELY not in it for the money hehe. and i'm very excited to instruct somewhere next year, don't know where yet, because way later i'll be a band director, and it'll help my experience a lot.

No problem.