29 Ways to Know You're a Music Teacher

1. You know you’re a music teacher if it’s totally normal to play Christmas music in October.

2. You know you’re a music teacher if you more often find yourself humming Yankee Doodle than Taylor Swift.

3. You know you’re a music teacher if you have to explain to everyone that yes, this is your real job.

4. You know you’re a music teacher if you find yourself trying to correct bad television performances. (out-of-tune national anthem broadcasts, anyone?)

5. You know you’re a music teacher if your favorite stores are Staples and the local music shop.

6. You know you’re a music teacher if your internet browser homepage is IMSLP.

7. You know you’re a music teacher if you have

an instrument repair technician on speed dial.

8. You know you’re a music teacher if you can tell stories about students and almost any kind of “bodily function”…

9. You know you’re a music teacher if everybody you meet tells you, “I regret quitting music lessons.”

10. You know you’re a music teacher if you own multiple items of clothing with music notation all over them.

11. You know you’re a music teacher if a student has hugged you after they started to cry.

12. You know you’re a music teacher if your holiday bonus comes in the form of chocolate, coffee mugs, and gift cards.

13. You know you’re a music teacher if you feel absolutely no shame about jumping around or making funny noises in front of just about anyone.

14. You know you’re a music teacher if playing with toys is a just a normal part of your work day.

15. You know you’re a music teacher if you can tell a student hasn’t practiced before he/she even begins to play.

16. You know you’re a music teacher if you have nightmares about long fingernails, sprained wrists, and braces.