Page 12 - Voices-2021-10

COVER STORY

example, Dave said, “I had a student when he provoking: “Honor your own thinking process.

first started, no matter what position no matter As a teacher, my mission is not so much to tell
what he did, it was always the same note. He them what to think. It’s more to lead by example,
just could not change notes. I’m sure that must to honor their own independent thought, to
have been a little disheartening for him. I used make their own judgments. I just get so fired

the sandwich method with authenticity in up, when I have a student that totally disagrees
the middle, and met him where he was. So I or agrees with me on a given point. I just I love
said, ‘Wow, you have such enthusiasm for the that. If I could imbue encouragement—so often
trombone. You have fun doing this, don’t you?’ I think young people, older people, whomever—

He’d be like, ‘Yeah, Yeah, I do.’ we are bombarded with people telling us what to
‘Wow, that’s so great. Boy, what you bring think. I think a lost art is helping people to think
to the trombone is so special. I’m just noticing for themselves. And please be honest, please
that this is really an important note to you. You give evidence when expressing a point of view.

really like this note, don’t you? ‘ If you don’t give evidence, it’s proselytizing. It is
He’s like, ‘Yeah, I guess I do. It’s comfortable. not teaching. And don’t take ‘No’ for an answer. I
I like it.’ truly see the best of people. In communication,
‘You know, as great as that note is, I also get even if it’s going one direction or another, I do

a sense that you might want to try some other my best to direct it so it’s the best in us. “
notes. Is that correct?’
So then you kind of build on
that. It’s not me saying it’s bad that

you can only play one note. It’s like,
I’m meeting them where they’re at.
They’re like, ‘yeah, yeah.’ And now
they’re kind of open to how they

could improve that particular skill.
So we get them hooked, we get
them interested, get some success.
Also the eyes light up, and the big

smile comes along. And just like
any evaluation, then you end with a
motivating message.”
As our conversation came to a

close, I asked Dave one final question:
What would you like the next
generation to remember?
His reply, as always, was thought

12 ONE COMMUNITY