though he didn’ t confess that to us until a few years later – but the tone was set. There would be no room for attitude, pride, or entitlement in his eyes. Feedback would be instant, direct, and brutally honest. Praise would be earned and deserved. It’ s these principles that changed the way I learned as a student, and that continue to resonate in my teaching philosophy today.
While it’ s imperative not to break a student’ s spirit, learning is optimized when they have an accurate sense of reality and perspective. Students aren’ t necessarily used to hearing the truth, which can often be diluted within our politically correct society. But their potential for growth will improve dramatically once an open and honest dialogue has been established.
The main reason I bring my students to events like the Berklee HSJF is so they can hear what other students their age have accomplished. It’ s the same reason I play them the recording of an eighteen-year-old Lee Morgan soloing on“ Dizzy Gillespie at Newport”. The exposure opens their eyes to new possibilities, and leaves them inspired and hungry to return to the woodshed. I have each student write a reflection detailing the perspective they gained from such experiences, and then update their personal goals accordingly.