Pay It Forward: Creating a Successful Succession

• Kelsey Helton
• Posted 5/27/21
• 0 comments

The secret of change is to focus all of your energy not on fighting the old, but on building the new.

Socrates

Many of you have experienced starting a new position cleaning out the debris of our predecessors, tracking down instruments, and asking new colleagues about the music program in the school.  Instead of sorting through piles of junk, wouldn’t it be refreshing to find a binder with pertinent information about the program you are taking over? 

I agree – which is why I am Paying it Forward.  

This year I will be moving into a new position – rather than solely focusing on my transition, I plan to leave my successor the information I hope to find in my new school. When I learned that I was moving to another district, I immediately told my principal and my team.  I informed them before the district office because my leaving directly affects the staff in my building, and I did not want them to hear about my move through other channels.  Next, I started preparing for my move, including the information I will leave for my replacement.  

Here are my top tips to Pay it Forward! 

Information Binder 

Create a binder with your current schedule (or a previous year’s schedule if yours was weird this year – due to the pandemic). Include your district’s scope and sequence, a contact list including your administration, other special area teachers in your building, other music teachers in your district, and the fine arts director.  

Other ideas include: 

• Previously performed musicals and concert programs.  
• District music events (Honor Choir Programs or UIL Music Memory Contest) 
• Online resources available in the district and where to find Login & Password information.
  • Music Play 
  • QuaverEd 
• Repairs needed, anticipated replacements, or upcoming deadlines for Capital Outlay or budget items. 
• Curriculum Outlines & District Expectations 
• A letter from you about your previous program and the school (optional) 
• Your contact information (optional) 

Inventory 

Inventory everything. Remember to leave anything purchased with school funds or grants awarded to the music program in your specific school. Include this inventory in the binder so the new music teacher can quickly overview contents in their new space. 

If you have the information, you might also include the purchase year instruments.  Knowing the age of instruments will help the new teacher plan for future purchases.  

Clean your Room 

No one wants to start the year by cleaning up someone else’s mess.  Empty your desk and throw away broken instruments.  Recycle old papers – chances are if you never used something, the person replacing you won’t either. For example, there is no need to save the district’s scope and sequence from 1972 (I know this from experience). 

Stock your Classroom 

If you can replace items used in your room, like paper and colors, consider replacements. If your school has a teacher aid program, consider stockpiling items provided for the new music teacher before leaving. This could be as simple as grabbing an extra pack of paper or keeping that box of pens that you would give away. Leave supplies you think will be helpful; find a new home for everything else! 

Set-Up 

Find the furniture that should be in your room. If you know, there is supposed to be a filing cabinet, and you have previously never looked for one – track it down. Or, at the very least, let your custodian or administrator know that it is missing. 

File the work orders to repair broken ceiling tiles or holes in your walls. Write down how to work with the quirky stage light that flickers. Include the date of your last piano tuning and include the contact information for the piano tuner.  

These are all tips from someone who has been there!  Create a welcoming environment for the new music teacher.  

Consider telling your kids 

I have been in my current position for five years, which means my fifth graders have only had me as their music teacher. I want to make sure they hear that I am leaving from me so that they can ask questions and we can reminisce about our time in music together.  

This situation can look different in each position but think about how you would feel if your favorite teacher just disappeared without your knowledge. We see these kids over many years, and music teachers are a fond memory of their childhood; try to say goodbye to your classes before you start your new journey. 

Paying it Forward 

Help the profession; help the next teacher out. Your kids deserve a smooth transition, and your building will thank you. What the new teacher does is up to them, but it is always nice to start on the right foot. 

We all have the same goal. We want to teach kids about music. Make the transition a little easier so we can work on achieving this goal.