The last forum got deleted because of people getting personal, not following the rules of Smoaky and above all not staying on topic. This forum is simply just for East Texas band director changes, comments how how you think its good or bad for a program and no getting personal. If you want to fight draw a circle in the ground and fight in your little circle. This isn't the place for fights. BE NICE
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The last topic was the new Pitt. director. I think that he will be great for the program and I wish him best of luck!!

i apologize again...
so any word on the Spring Hill opening?

Its' ok, nope no info yet.

Well, drats - that was a good thread, too.

So.... for the benefit of those still looking around ~ what jobs are still open?

Last I knew of were these:

Spring Hill
Gladewater
Rusk
Big Sandy
New Boston
Queen City
Tatum
Crockett
Jacksonville
Carthage is filled I believe

Some of these may be filled already. I'm just going off of the openings on atssb right now

Jacksonville is filled.
Arp ms is open.
Gladewater is ms.
Carthage one is filled one is not.
Rusk is two positions.

Both positions at Carthage have been filled.

From what I understand, Chris Cook was supposed to come to Carthage but that fell through so Arp still has their head director. A woman from Oklahoma was hired instead. Anybody know anything about her?

Carthage hires:

Jennifer Applegate for 7th grade ~ formerly at Rusk
Gina Thompson for 8th ~ formerly at Crowley and in Oklahoma

Excuse my ignorance but whats the word on U.G. did they get everything settled?

Neither director resigned so....

Union Grove was never open

I think wat he is talking about when there was a dilemma about the band teachers wanting to teach the choir class without them giving their consent.

^ Yeah I had heard they were thinking about leaving. Just wondering how that was panning out

Neither director is leaving Union Grove.

Ok good. I really like Mr. Melton.

Yeah, me too, he has taught me a lot.

Here are some more schools that are supposedly still open:

Hooks Assistant
Trinidad
Lovelady
Chisom
Clarksville
Gladewater MS
Arp MS
Rusk (2)
Palestine (they are in the finalization process)
Westwood
Mabank
Union Hill
Big Sandy
Hawkins
Queen City

Some of these could be filled but that is what I know at this point courtesy of ATSSB, TMEA job boards and Tatum Music.

What position at Mabank? Is Jeff Dubose still there?

Who was hired at New Boston?

They are looking for someone with Guard experience. He is still there! They will take all applications but guard preference. I think its getting late in the game to be too picky!!

Thanks, tigereye12.

Anybody know about New Boston?

I just found out that Arp has filled their position with a woodwind person. Any news on Rusk anyone?

Rusk and Hooks has filled their positions! I know hooks got a girl from Michigan!!!

I heard that Gladewater got a girl from Michigan!

I know that we shouldn't hire from "the inside" (i.e. just because they're from Texas give'em an automatic hire, preference, etc.) But, if that statement is true [Gladewater hiring a girl from Michigan]. Im sure they picked the best candidate for the job and none of the other band directors (the ones looking for a job) in the area were nearly as qualified as she....just sayin'.....

Palestine has filled their job today!!! Winona hired someone from Georgia!!

It's good to see these schools to bring in directors from other areas than East Texas!!! It gives the directors a different perspective as well as the students. It also exposes these directors to the fine military bands (and corps ) in the region.

Some of you act surprised that they went outside the East Texas area to get a band director. I don't know any of these hires, but some may be returning "home" to work. In some of these cases, you have to realize, no one really wanted the jobs. A lot of schools are really struggling with keeping their programs afloat. TAKS classes, other activities, administration, budget crunches, schedules, etc., are all taking their toll on co-curricular programs. Band directors in this area know the problems within schools - they know when it's just a lousy band director or a sinking ship that has no support. Some people you just don't want to work with.

I think it's a good idea to get new blood in the area and wish them well.

I guess I should also add that not everyone from East Texas is the right "fit" with a program or the current director. There are woodwind, brass, percussion, color guard, etc., positions that have to be filled. Furthermore, by this time of year, it is hard to get out of a contract sometimes. Even though a person might have wanted a certain job, if he/she is tied to another Texas school, he/she is bound by that contract.

There are many reasons why these band directors from Michigan and Georgia and wherever else were hired. Again, welcome to East Texas and good luck!!!!

I wish them the best of luck also and I hope they will do well. Its a free country and schools are an equal opportunity employer. In my case, I'm a recent graduate and I have applied at 44 schools, 9 interviews, and I have been second on the list every time and just haven't been able to punch through. I have applied everywhere from NE Tx, ET, SE Tx, DFW, Waco area. Even though I'm a first year teacher, I have taught public school classroom bands at several ET schools including Tyler ISD. It just stinks that I haven't been able to land somewhere. I'm willing to work at any school at this point and I have felt that way from the beginning. For someone entering the job field straight out of college, I have been told by many educators that my resume is stout and I have done well to get all the experience needed to be successful. I hope it pays off soon!

Best of luck to all the new teachers out there and to those coming from out of state!!!

Best wishes to you!!! It sure sounds like you've put your resume out there!!!!!!!!!!

Wow, 44 applications. Since I know who you are, but will not devulge your name on here, I would like to say to not give up. I refuse to believe that you will not get a job. Has Mr. Castillo been able to put in a word for you?

Yeah, he has helped and so has other directors, professors, and former employers! I'm still waiting to hear back from another school and most of the others have been filled. If worst comes to worst, I will be back at REL doing the same work as I have been and finding a part time job in another field. We'll just have to see! Thanks for the encouragement!


Thanks for not posting my name on here

Arp got Chance James a sax player. Kilgore College Graduate and UT Tyler grad...Really good player, and good guy.

Wow!! Such a terrible situation there.

Yes I know! We both went to both colleges together! He's a great player and will be a great teacher! He will do great at Arp!!!! I wish him the best!

Anymore jobs open out there?????

Most jobs should be filled throughout the state now that TBA is over. Something to consider... I'm not sure who you are.. But are you certified? After talking to several directors, there was a ton out there this year applying for gigs w/ no certification. There is a new trend to graduate w/ out student teaching.....

good luck!

Yeah, I'm hoping a last minute deal will happen! I'm not certified but I'm enrolled in Region 7 so I have a probationary certification. I graduated from UT Tyler and teacher certification is not in the degree plan and the education dept doesn't communicate with the other departments to work with students trying to be teachers. With that being said, yes I'm a first year teacher but I have been teaching in the classroom at several ET schools since 2001. I figured up that I have over 6,000 hours of teaching so its not a matter that I'm not qualified. I will keep trying...I'm down but not out!!!

Thanks!

Anytime you are looking for a job in the East Texas area, check with Neil Grant, Doice Grant, David Harper, or Harvey Durham at Tatum Music Company. They are the ones in the know - with the "list."

And, if you are willing to move, there are possibly several jobs still open across the state. There usually are.

I'm a former employee of Tatum music so I know them very very well. I actually was over there today but no new news on anything. I'm willing to move anywhere in the state, but I have to complete my full certification through Region 7 so that puts a hinder on things. I will keep trying and if not, I have some other teaching opportunities that I can do until next year.

Tigereye, how much longer do you have before you complete your certification? Good luck to you! It is tough finding a job where you want to go, working with people who will actually teach you what you need to know. Whatever you do - whatever happens this year - and wherever you are a band director - best to you.

I just entered the program so I will have a full certification by this time next year. I figured up that I have over 8000 hours in the classroom so I'm hoping that will eventually help! Thanks for the encouragement! Right now, I will take just about any job! I have taught both corps bands and military bands so I have experience at both. Are you a BD? If so, good luck to you and your program this next year. If not, best of luck to you in whatever you do!

Bullard isd needs a asst. director. hope they fill the position. Just opened up on 8-17-09.

Word is they have already offered it to someone and possibly bring someone out of retirement to teach part time also. Its nearly official.

Figures!! No disrespect, but we got way too much geriatric thinking here already, we need some new blood. Same old bullard BS, just throw another flipping band-aid on it, that will get us down the road another mile or two. Gee Whiz

Yeah, supposedly they have asked a retired band director to come teach part time and if the person that the full time position was offered to doesn't take it, then the retired guy will handle the duties. It wasn't posted anywhere! I found out through the grapevine! I believe its time for some changes around here but it will have to happen through the young crew, but I'm finding out that the young crew is getting influenced by the old crew so its a never ending cycle. Welcome to ET!

I saw that TVCC has a band director job open...anyone know anything about it?

Not for sure, but you might try Canton, I think one of the positions are open.