"Ms. Teacher-lady?" Who? Me?

Tomorrow I have my first concert! It's the district's Night of Jazz.  The jazz band from the 6th and 7th grade school, my jazz band, the auditioned jazz band from my school, and the high school jazz band will all play before a college band plays.  I really should have said "my" jazz band; I saw them twice and pretty much just polished what was already taught.  It's going to be a great night for the kids 6-12 to see not only their peers play, but to see a highly advanced band.  The only downside is that I haven't been able to rehearse with my kids since before spring break...so here's hoping the sound check doesn't spell disaster!

Okay, so now to explain the title of this post. It's been great having my own band classes and not really having to answer to anyone.  I have two veteran teachers that I share the room with so when I have questions, the answers are easily within reach.  Maybe that's why I never feel like I'm clueless like I did when I was doing general music. I love having preps, an office with a desk, a computer that I'm always logged in on.  I feel great.  Somehow, though, all these thinsg don't make me feel like I'm a grown-up.  Yeah, I have authority in the school to call kids out in the hallway when I'm on duty or to discipline kids in my class.  Yes, I'm getting paid to do what I have worked pretty much my whole life to accomplish. But it was a funny moment when my dad told me he'd be coming to my school to visit.  

My dad is the acting supervisor of fine arts in a school district now (he's supposed to be retired!). The high school in his district is creating a band room out of what used to be a big storage room, so my dad and the high school band director are going to visit band rooms that would serve as a good model when they design the space.  The instrumental music room at my school used to be the cafeteria (the lunch service windows are still on one wall to prove it).  Since it's a re-purposed space like what they'll have in my dad's district, he'll be coming to look at it tomorrow. Last night, my dad told me about when he'd be visiting and I said that he should email the other band director and tell him.  My dad goes "Why do I have to email someone else? You're the teacher!" 

Woah.

Yeah, I am the teacher.  I already said I do understand that.  But somehow those things didn't equal me being able to make a decision like approving a visitor to come scope out the room. I guess this whole being an adult thing is an on-going identity growth issue.