The new year brings a time for a fresh start; new ideas, new attitudes, new directions and a reflection on where we have been and where we want to go. When I sat down to write my latest quick note article, I started coming up with a few words that I felt were relevant to what I wanted to write about. Surprisingly, all ended in "ate." Maybe I was hungry? After all, the new year has brought on a diet! Seriously, the suffix "ate" means having the appearance or characteristics of. It also indicates the product of a process. Here are the words that I chose to discuss (listed alphabetically). Do you possess these characteristics? If not, the new year is a good time to consider a change for the better.

Advocate

• Do you stick up for your profession in your community, school, classroom and beyond?
• Do you stick up for students that choose to focus on music?
• Do you encourage talented musicians to consider a career in music?

Anticipate

• Do you look ahead or just "wing it" or procrastinate? (hour-to-hour, day-to-day, week-to-week, etc.)
• Do you have a solution to a problem before it occurs?
• What plans and goals do you have for next year? For five years? How will you get there?

Delegate

• Are you a control freak?
• Do you use the talents of your staff to the maximum?
• Do you develop leadership in your students through increased expectations and responsibilities?
• Do you involve your parents in ways that make them feel like they are making a meaningful contribution?

Educate

• Are you playing music that actually expands your students' abilities?
• Are you sight-reading often enough? Are you reading a variety of styles, textures, etc.?
• Are your students showing a heightened interest in band/orchestra?
• Is there a true love and desire to make music in your ensemble?
• Do your students succeed after they have moved beyond your program?

Innovate

• When was the last time you tried something new?
• When was the last time you created a new idea on your own?
• Are you willing to break up the routine and take a risk even if your idea fails?
• Do you believe there is only one way to get things done? Your way?

Motivate

• Are you motivated?
• Do you finish a rehearsal excited by the results and wishing you had more time?
• Are your kids energetic about day-to-day happenings in your classroom?
• Do you encourage students to go the extra mile (solos, ensembles, honor groups, playing outside of class)?
• Do you wait for kids to ask for extra attention, or do you offer/encourage it regularly instead?
• Do your kids come in early on their own to practice?

Relate

• Do you isolate yourself from your students and staff?
• Do you try to learn about your staff and students' interests, hobbies, likes and dislikes, etc.? In other words, do you get to know them, or are they just a kid in your class that you need in order to have a band?
• Is the selected repertoire relevant to your students? Do they find it boring?
• Do students feel comfortable bringing a problem to you or are they too intimidated?

Self evaluation is sometimes scary but also a great way to take a closer look at not only where you are but where others see you as being. These questions are just a few that came to mind in just a few minutes. There are many others that may need an answer in order for you to do a thorough inventory of where you are as the new year and a new semester begins. I encourage each of you to take a few steps back from your world and take a fresh look from the outside looking in. It can only help! Happy Belated New Year to all!