The Teacher As Music Educator: Guest Post Holly Hudson
Teachers, Covid, and Goats?!
Holly Hudson
Teaching. It’s probably one of the hardest jobs in 2020. We went to school in March, and left one day (March 13th to be exact) and have yet to return. While many think that teachers are underworked and overpaid, I can tell you from personal experience, both as a teacher and an assistant principal intern last year, that teachers are OVERworked and UNDERpaid in almost every scenario.
Working in the inner city has different challenges than working in a rural district. Teachers become counselors, nutritionists, a safe space, social workers, and are generally in loco parentis each and every day. That’s on a normal year. Enter 2020. Urban teachers are concerned not only about how their students are going to get and learn the material they need to learn, but we are worried about what our kids are eating, where they are staying, if they have what they need (internet access being a key component) to learn, if they have someone home with them or are left to their own devices, the list goes on and on. Parents during this pandemic were not always home. Some were first responders and needed to work. Some kids didn’t have what they needed. Some just fell off the radar and teachers and administrators were making trips to track down these children to make sure they were ok and healthy. Some parents were working from home and it was a delicate balance for kids and parents to both get their work done. There were just SO many issues and variables thrown into this mix during 2020. I’m not sure about what you do for a living, but I’m pretty sure there are few jobs where you go home, continue to work off the clock, and then lose sleep over whether or not you’ve done the best job you can do, because little people are counting on you.
In Buffalo, NY, we have about 33,000 students in our district. We also have a high population of refugees and ENL students. We are a district so rich in cultural diversity, and it’s one of the things I love about my job. When I was teaching high school, I think my years there taught me more than what I taught my students. I learned so much about so many cultures. However, as stated earlier, it adds another layer when you are checking in on 900 kids during a pandemic. Most teachers will have 25 kiddos all year. Music, Art, PE and the like – we see all students. My current building has about 900 students K-8. That’s a lot of precious cargo to keep track of, but we’ve been doing it, and doing it well! Kids are offered meals for the week for their household, and services are available for other needs, with the school being a starting point.
I was part of the first cohort of BALA (Buffalo Aspiring Leaders Academy) last year while getting my certification in Educational Leadership. The administration that I was working with and learning from were amazing. I was at a bilingual school, and Covid hit the fan while I was in this role. I got to see things from the other side of the coin, as an administrator would see. Everyone was navigating this pandemic and figuring out what was best, while still thinking it was a short term issue. Buffalo has not returned to the classroom to date. We are still fully remote, and kids are still getting instruction each day, meals each day, love and concern each day, and this is all made possible by educators. Teachers jumped in and (using the old Marine Corp motto….) we Adapted, Improvised, and (are still) Overcome (ing)!
I am looking forward to actually being able to see my students in person again, and share things with them. I miss playing instruments and singing with them. I miss sharing some of my passions outside of the classroom, like raising goats. As mentioned in the podcast, I brought my goats to our Saturday Academy once last year before we were all shut down. Buffalo Public Schools runs a community schools program, where we have Saturday family days held at many of the schools. It includes a hot breakfast and lunch, activities, academic help, and fun experiences. While I thought I was introducing the kids to something they might never see, it turned out I was reminding them of their home countries. One child went running right up to one of my Nigerian Dwarf goats (LunaLoveGood), and Lovey ran towards him. He said, “Miss!!! I haven’t seen goats since I left my country, I love them so much!”
I found out that meat goats (we would call them boer goats here in the USA) roam all over like cats and dogs roam here. He got to learn about the breed of goats we raise (dairy goats) and I was reminded that I will ALWAYS be learning from my students, no matter the age or where they come from. It was a beautiful moment that reminded me that we are not all so different, and we come full circle when we are open to learning about other cultures and backgrounds. Teaching in the city has a way of reminding you that your education is never really finished. When you feel that it is, it is probably time to retire.
About the Author
Holly Hudson is an educator and mentor for children on the West Side of Buffalo. She currently teaches Music to grades K-8 at West Hertel Academy (#94). She previously taught general, vocal, and instrumental music to grades 7-12 at the International Preparatory School at Grover (#198). She holds a Masters in Music Education from the University of Buffalo, and a Bachelors in Music Education from Buffalo State College. Holly holds a CAS in School Building Leadership, and she is currently finishing her second Masters at University of Buffalo, in Educational Leadership. Holly is a member of the Buffalo Philharmonic Board of Education, where she routinely has her students involved in the yearly “West Side Connection” concert. There are more than 28 languages spoken at Mrs. Hudson’s school. Her students come from all over the world as refugees. They have extremely interesting stories that Holly helps them tell through the voice of music. Hudson has also been involved in the West Side Community, most recently as a judge for the Young Miss Buffalo Pageant and a presenter for the ECMEA classroom workshop festival.
Holly is a bassoonist and you may catch her playing with local orchestras, pitbands, or chamber groups throughout the year. When not teaching or creating music, Holly enjoys spending time with her family and menagerie of animals.(Dogs, cats and 5 Nigerian dwarf goats!) Holly owns and runs Muggle Magic Nigerian Dwarf Goats, where currently all her goats are named after Harry potter characters. She resides in Alabama, NY, with her husband of 16 years (Jeremiah) and her two children, Gabriel (15) and Eleanor (7).