Music Educators' Energiser

Ah, the relief and pride at our son's Year 12 Graduation Ceremony. This year, he suddenly fired up motivation and excelled. My sons have taught me that maturity breeds hope. (Plus I paid him to proofread my books at fifty cents per typo!)

Watching 200+ students walk onstage to receive their certificates highlighted their varying personalities. They're all wonderful young people on the brink of exciting, successful futures, but what a range of body language shone through each 30 seconds' limelight!

Stage presentation: Some strode or leapt onstage with aplomb. Others huddled in hair. Some were nonchalant or cautious - and there's always a clown.

Handshakes: The outgoing, the coy; some seemed to eye a rattlesnake; others grasped brilliant futures with both hands.

Dress/undress: The gloriously dressy and leggy/ neat and businesslike/ arty statements (yes, my son)/the sporty casuals.

They typified clearly the FOUR TEMPERAMENTS, which feature in my How to Motivate, Retain and Inspire Students In-Service workshops:

Cholerics: tend to be outspoken, bossy, always right. They set high standards for all, make good leaders - but need tolerance. They thrive on responsibility (e.g. stage-manage /room set-up).

Sanguines: bright fun lovers who chatter in rehearsals! They enthuse others; as they'll try anything they overcommit - so easily discourage. They need praise like oxygen!

Melancholics: deep, genius prone, easily wounded; your words (both criticism or praise) will linger forever. Perfectionist and prone to procrastinate. Need sincere encouragement.

Phlegmatics are easy going, soothe troubled waters when careless choleric/sanguine words wound the melancholic. They hate to offend by saying ‘no' so instead vote with their feet. Help them commit to goals.

When we understand and enhance students' strengths and weaknesses, we can reinforce their latent talents - and lessen frustration for both teacher and students.

Free set of 10 motivational posters! (valued at $95) to the next two firmed bookings for Professional Development days. http://www.RuthBonetti.com/WorkshopsO8.pdf

New Teacher Resources at http://www.RuthBonetti.com/Teacher_Resources.pdf

You've worked hard, you deserve a refreshing break. Enjoy!