Welcome to Resonant Ramblings

Author: Darlene

  • Is It Worth It?

    Welcome back! As I reflect on my extensive career, I can confidently say that teaching has been a fulfilling journey for me. However, this perspective may not be as clear-cut for others. Numerous factors influence an individual’s perception of the profession, including salary, the return on investment for educational expenses, time away from family and friends during the pursuit of certification, opportunities for career advancement, and the personal value one places on working with children.



    I come from a modest, hardworking background, and as a scholarship recipient, I was fortunate to navigate my college years without the burden of looming debt. Unfortunately, not everyone has that same advantage. While student loans can provide significant support, the relatively low salaries in education often make the prospect of repayment a long-term challenge. I was also fortunate to secure my first position due to a tax levy increase in my county, which allocated funds for fine arts positions in elementary schools. At the time, I was in Alabama, where arts education was not yet viewed as a core component of the curriculum.

    I have always found great joy in working with children, particularly elementary-aged students. Their honesty, combined with their dedication and sense of humor, makes every interaction both rewarding and memorable. While teaching complex instrumental patterns, I have observed a wide range of emotions from these young learners—fear and frustration giving way to determination and pride as they persevere and succeed. During challenging times, both locally and nationally, I have witnessed the profound impact music has on our hearts and minds. For me, teaching has been a deeply fulfilling journey, making even the busiest and most trying days worthwhile.

  • Never Say “Never” Because Change IS Good

    Never Say “Never” Because Change IS Good

    This is aptly titled because, yes, this is my first blog entry! Let me give you a little background on me and my music education journey. I hope you stick around and come back for more in future entries. I felt that writing all that I have experienced over the years might help me have closure on what ended rather abruptly. (I’ll share more about that later.)

    I am fortunate to have had a supportive family. I naturally gravitated toward education from an early age. It was a logical choice, given that I am the youngest child in a large family with many nieces and nephews. Church and school activities provided substantial support from mentors and teachers throughout my journey. My career has essentially spanned two distinct phases. In Alabama, I began my public school teaching career right after college and continued for 18 years—spending 17 of those years in the same district and school. During my first year, I worked alongside my college methods instructor who taught K-2nd grades while I handled 3rd-5th grades at an enormous school. We were both waiting for the new school to finish its construction, which would allow me to start the program there from scratch! It was an incredible opportunity for me! I thrived! I attended all the professional development I could manage as my husband and I grew our family of 5. I served in many leadership positions, one of which I am most proud of: President of the Alabama Chapter of the American Orff-Schulwerk Association. I learned so much about myself through that experience.

    My sweet mom always said “never say never,” and I truly realized how profound those words were when I turned 40. I swore that I would never leave Alabama. It was my home. Then, that same year, our family moved to the Midwest, and I was terrified! My primary concern was how my own children would handle the transition—certainly not myself. I mean, I was a grown woman who could handle change, or so I thought! Fortunately, my children adjusted beautifully while I floundered for the better part of a year! I felt as if a part of me had died when I wasn’t teaching. Luckily, a job literally fell into my lap; initially as a long-term substitute that evolved into full-time employment the following year! That experience transformed my perspective—I learned that saying you will never do something is a proclamation that it WILL happen and that change IS good!