American Idol and Teaching

My daughter loves watching American Idol and so when we were in Australia I started to watch it with her. I found I enjoyed watching American Idol. (My thanks to -ehanson for this post)

Being a participant on American Idol does seem to have a lot of similarities with being a teacher which I have been for almost four decads, an EA, or a teacher candidate on a 13 week Practicum 

Being on a Practicum (or in a Classroom) is Almost Like Being on American Idol

There are challenges which can really stress you out and you start to doubt yourself.

Some days you feel like a 'Rock Star', other days you think it is 'The End of the Road'.  

There are always critics that you have to face.  

Sometimes you feel it is a popularity contest.

Those that think they are 'The Greatest' are usually mediocre at best, and those that are the most Humble, turn out to be 'The Greatest'.

The judges and the audience don't want the singers/teacher candidates to mimic someone else.  The singers /teacher candidates have to find their unique voice and be themselves.  

Sometimes the participants/teacher candidates aren't ready for the day's challenge but they are encouraged to come back tomorrow or even next year and try again.

They both teach you human nature, with lots of opportunity for comedy and tragedy.

Its not just one audition, it is a series of months (or years or decades)  of dress rehearsals and job interviews.

There is much more planning and practising than being on stage.

Sometimes you feel that you are only as good as your last performance or class.

You can never rest on your laurels.

You don't know who, how, or where your influence will end up.

You have to really want to do it and really enjoy doing it to be successful.

As the song goes: "When you find yourself in time of trouble...", take the advice from another tune: "You pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and start all over again!

You are there to educate and to entertain.

Timing is Everything!

You are the messenger.  You deliver the message in an engaging way.

When you succeed, you know all the time, work, stress, and frustrations were worth it.

And you are amazed when, down the road,  you finally get paid, that someone actually pays you to do this labour of love.