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truth seeker
The Living Force
Congrats Aragorn!
Wow you guys, I'm completely flabbergasted by all the responses! Reading all that made me blush...
It was interesting to notice how the interviewers for the job were impressed by my 'versatility' - actually I just presented all the different things I've studied and done in a way that gave the impression that 'all the pieces fit together'. I kind of surprised myself, because I've always thought that many things from the past, like e.g. my studies in engineering, were a negative thing - mainly because I didn't finish the studies. But then I heard me saying: "You know, since everything is handled by computers these days, I find that my unfinished studies in engineering have proved to be quite useful." To which they nodded and agreed. I was like observing myself taking over the situation! I think that this had something to do with my breathing too: several times during the interview I reminded myself to keep the breath low, to do deep diaphragmatic breathing. Well, enough said about this whole thing. I'm still curious to see if this university job will be offered to me, that would be a real shocker.
@Gonzo: I've written some thoughts about how the EE helps singers on the EE-forum, HERE. On a more practical note, concerning teaching singing, I must say that I haven't really tried to combine any EE in the teaching. I'm not a qualified teacher of EE anyway, so any serious implementation of combining EE and teaching singing will have to wait. With one pupil we have done a little bit of the 3-stage breathing (without the constriction), because I wanted to see if it would help her to keep the breath low without tensing the upper torso. But she found the whole thing confusing so we dropped it, at least for now. The EE will most certainly help singers, professionals or students, but I think that the motivation, need and interest to do the program must come from the individual himself. After all, one needs to practice EE regularly to get the benefits. But sure, if the right kind of student with the right kind of interest in these things some day comes to my lesson I will maybe try to present some ideas from EE.
For now, the benefits of EE in my teaching has more been my own development (see EE-forum thread). It's true as they say: It's easier to help others when you get to know your own machine better.
It was interesting to notice how the interviewers for the job were impressed by my 'versatility' - actually I just presented all the different things I've studied and done in a way that gave the impression that 'all the pieces fit together'. I kind of surprised myself, because I've always thought that many things from the past, like e.g. my studies in engineering, were a negative thing - mainly because I didn't finish the studies. But then I heard me saying: "You know, since everything is handled by computers these days, I find that my unfinished studies in engineering have proved to be quite useful." To which they nodded and agreed. I was like observing myself taking over the situation! I think that this had something to do with my breathing too: several times during the interview I reminded myself to keep the breath low, to do deep diaphragmatic breathing. Well, enough said about this whole thing. I'm still curious to see if this university job will be offered to me, that would be a real shocker.
@Gonzo: I've written some thoughts about how the EE helps singers on the EE-forum, HERE. On a more practical note, concerning teaching singing, I must say that I haven't really tried to combine any EE in the teaching. I'm not a qualified teacher of EE anyway, so any serious implementation of combining EE and teaching singing will have to wait. With one pupil we have done a little bit of the 3-stage breathing (without the constriction), because I wanted to see if it would help her to keep the breath low without tensing the upper torso. But she found the whole thing confusing so we dropped it, at least for now. The EE will most certainly help singers, professionals or students, but I think that the motivation, need and interest to do the program must come from the individual himself. After all, one needs to practice EE regularly to get the benefits. But sure, if the right kind of student with the right kind of interest in these things some day comes to my lesson I will maybe try to present some ideas from EE.
For now, the benefits of EE in my teaching has more been my own development (see EE-forum thread). It's true as they say: It's easier to help others when you get to know your own machine better.
Things are getting interesting! Today I received an email from the university in which they asked me to come and do a short presentation/lecture and for a short interview. I'm supposed to give three different topics from which they will choose one, leaving me some days to prepare. I'm definitely going to do this, but I'm not that experienced in giving lectures - especially not to a bunch of university people and teachers! Does those of you who have experience of the university world, from the teachers and professors perspective, have any tips or advice? Like what kind of things do they value in a presentation?
Compared to the job as a singing teacher, which I already got, this university job would be quite a challenge. But I like challenges. The salary would of course be higher, like three times higher. And at least one third of the working time can be used for research, which in my case would be researching things like 'body work' and Eiriu Eolas, I guess! Looks like I will have a hard time choosing between these jobs, if they by any chance would offer me the post.
The good thing is that both jobs would be steady (maybe the main criteria) AND give time to do other things too. And what's best, things like EE could probably be integrated to the teachings in both cases. :)
Compared to the job as a singing teacher, which I already got, this university job would be quite a challenge. But I like challenges. The salary would of course be higher, like three times higher. And at least one third of the working time can be used for research, which in my case would be researching things like 'body work' and Eiriu Eolas, I guess! Looks like I will have a hard time choosing between these jobs, if they by any chance would offer me the post.
The good thing is that both jobs would be steady (maybe the main criteria) AND give time to do other things too. And what's best, things like EE could probably be integrated to the teachings in both cases. :)
shellycheval
The Living Force
I just finished three weeks work on a hiring committee for our college--it has been a long day but off the top of my head I'd say:
prepare ahead
Learn something about the university and the department--mission, target student demographic, figure out how to showcase yourself as an asset.
Learn the job description and gear your answers to the questions and your teaching demos to fit
Practice teaching all 3 demos
Create short handouts--simple, direct, and clear, (and completely grammatically correct) that speak to the objective of the lesson--pass them out before you begin
Use multi-media in your presentation if possible--don't pass out candy!
Be prepared for questions like "What attracted you to this position?" and How do you see yourself as an asset to the department/college outside of the classroom?
during the interview
Pace yourself--if it sounds like you are speaking a little slow, you are probably just right--keep track of the time.
Showing your passion for teaching is good but it is not enough--(think about what passion alone does for relationships!) most everyone who goes into teaching has a passion for learning but not everyone has the expertise to teach. Knowing how to do something well does not mean you can explain/teach it to someone else. They will want you to demonstrate your own skills, and your ability to teach.
Think about the best teachers you had as a student and what they did that worked. Review the different learning styles and identify the different approaches you would take.
When you go into the interview think to yourself that you are in a win-win position--you already have a job in your field! This job is the gravy.
That's all I can think of at the moment--Congrats on the present job and good luck with the next! :)
shellycheval
prepare ahead
Learn something about the university and the department--mission, target student demographic, figure out how to showcase yourself as an asset.
Learn the job description and gear your answers to the questions and your teaching demos to fit
Practice teaching all 3 demos
Create short handouts--simple, direct, and clear, (and completely grammatically correct) that speak to the objective of the lesson--pass them out before you begin
Use multi-media in your presentation if possible--don't pass out candy!
Be prepared for questions like "What attracted you to this position?" and How do you see yourself as an asset to the department/college outside of the classroom?
during the interview
Pace yourself--if it sounds like you are speaking a little slow, you are probably just right--keep track of the time.
Showing your passion for teaching is good but it is not enough--(think about what passion alone does for relationships!) most everyone who goes into teaching has a passion for learning but not everyone has the expertise to teach. Knowing how to do something well does not mean you can explain/teach it to someone else. They will want you to demonstrate your own skills, and your ability to teach.
Think about the best teachers you had as a student and what they did that worked. Review the different learning styles and identify the different approaches you would take.
When you go into the interview think to yourself that you are in a win-win position--you already have a job in your field! This job is the gravy.
That's all I can think of at the moment--Congrats on the present job and good luck with the next! :)
shellycheval
I
Infiniteness
Guest
Good job, I wish the best for you! 
Just received the news that I didn't get this university job, I was a good second they say. However, I was glad to hear that I got the score 3(good teaching skills) out of 4 (excellent). It was quite a challenge for me to do a presentation with a room full of teachers and the principal. So overall it was a good learning experience and confirmation that I'm not completely lost what comes to teaching groups.
I had to wait over a week for the results, so I'm relieved to have this over and done with. Now I can concentrate on this other job and make the best of it. To be honest, teaching singing is my passion, not 'musical didactics', so I guess the universe did me a favor here! :)
I had to wait over a week for the results, so I'm relieved to have this over and done with. Now I can concentrate on this other job and make the best of it. To be honest, teaching singing is my passion, not 'musical didactics', so I guess the universe did me a favor here! :)
Gonzo
The Living Force
Gee whiz, Aragorn, a good second, wow. Nice score. Of course, second means that if the selected candidate isn't available, you would get the job. If you actually wanted the job, perhaps you shouldn't give up hope quite yet. After all, accidents can be arranged, er, I mean can happen. LOL
Sounds like you are precisely where you ought to be. So few can say they actually work withing their area of passion.
Well done. Congratulations,
Gonzo
Sounds like you are precisely where you ought to be. So few can say they actually work withing their area of passion.
Well done. Congratulations,
Gonzo
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