Don Stinson
@donstinson.bsky.social
Music Educator & Copywriter for Music Brands | Helping Retailers Become the Obvious Choice for School Programs
Teaching is the one profession that makes every other profession possible.
Which makes how we talk about them worth rethinking.
Which makes how we talk about them worth rethinking.
January 6, 2026 at 1:12 PM
Teaching is the one profession that makes every other profession possible.
Which makes how we talk about them worth rethinking.
Which makes how we talk about them worth rethinking.
A student might not graduate because they skipped class.
They tell you the truth — and ask you to lie for them.
The other teacher? Not exactly fair.
Teachers - where’s the line?
They tell you the truth — and ask you to lie for them.
The other teacher? Not exactly fair.
Teachers - where’s the line?
January 6, 2026 at 2:04 AM
A student might not graduate because they skipped class.
They tell you the truth — and ask you to lie for them.
The other teacher? Not exactly fair.
Teachers - where’s the line?
They tell you the truth — and ask you to lie for them.
The other teacher? Not exactly fair.
Teachers - where’s the line?
I’m just trying to get down to the weight I swore I’d never get up to.
January 5, 2026 at 7:00 PM
I’m just trying to get down to the weight I swore I’d never get up to.
The best advice I ever got as a teacher:
Say the second thing that comes to mind.
The first thought is usually frustration.
The second one is who you actually are.
Most damage happens when we stop at the first.
Say the second thing that comes to mind.
The first thought is usually frustration.
The second one is who you actually are.
Most damage happens when we stop at the first.
January 5, 2026 at 1:17 PM
The best advice I ever got as a teacher:
Say the second thing that comes to mind.
The first thought is usually frustration.
The second one is who you actually are.
Most damage happens when we stop at the first.
Say the second thing that comes to mind.
The first thought is usually frustration.
The second one is who you actually are.
Most damage happens when we stop at the first.
I’ve worked in suburban, urban, rural, and Title I schools. Here’s what changed when I switched jobs:
1. The kids’ names.
2. My salary.
The kids had far more in common than people like to admit.
1. The kids’ names.
2. My salary.
The kids had far more in common than people like to admit.
January 4, 2026 at 8:59 PM
I’ve worked in suburban, urban, rural, and Title I schools. Here’s what changed when I switched jobs:
1. The kids’ names.
2. My salary.
The kids had far more in common than people like to admit.
1. The kids’ names.
2. My salary.
The kids had far more in common than people like to admit.
“I use a toilet every day. Doesn’t mean I’m a plumber.”
A parent said that to me during one of my worst weeks as a teacher.
I didn’t understand it right away. I do now.
A parent said that to me during one of my worst weeks as a teacher.
I didn’t understand it right away. I do now.
January 4, 2026 at 3:22 PM
“I use a toilet every day. Doesn’t mean I’m a plumber.”
A parent said that to me during one of my worst weeks as a teacher.
I didn’t understand it right away. I do now.
A parent said that to me during one of my worst weeks as a teacher.
I didn’t understand it right away. I do now.
The “cool teacher” ruins everything.
Mr. lets me put my feet on the desk.
Mrs. lets me swear in class.
He doesn’t care if I show up.
That’s not trust.
That’s neglect.
Students don’t need fewer rules.
They need adults who actually show up.
Mr. lets me put my feet on the desk.
Mrs. lets me swear in class.
He doesn’t care if I show up.
That’s not trust.
That’s neglect.
Students don’t need fewer rules.
They need adults who actually show up.
January 3, 2026 at 6:39 PM
The “cool teacher” ruins everything.
Mr. lets me put my feet on the desk.
Mrs. lets me swear in class.
He doesn’t care if I show up.
That’s not trust.
That’s neglect.
Students don’t need fewer rules.
They need adults who actually show up.
Mr. lets me put my feet on the desk.
Mrs. lets me swear in class.
He doesn’t care if I show up.
That’s not trust.
That’s neglect.
Students don’t need fewer rules.
They need adults who actually show up.
If everything is accented,
nothing is accented.
This year:
More time score studying.
Less time in email.
More time in front of the ensemble.
Less time at the desk.
nothing is accented.
This year:
More time score studying.
Less time in email.
More time in front of the ensemble.
Less time at the desk.
January 2, 2026 at 6:12 PM
If everything is accented,
nothing is accented.
This year:
More time score studying.
Less time in email.
More time in front of the ensemble.
Less time at the desk.
nothing is accented.
This year:
More time score studying.
Less time in email.
More time in front of the ensemble.
Less time at the desk.
Teach the kids in front of you,
not the ones you wish you had.
not the ones you wish you had.
January 1, 2026 at 8:32 PM
Teach the kids in front of you,
not the ones you wish you had.
not the ones you wish you had.
If kids don't feel safe making mistakes in rehearsal,
they'll never feel comfortable playing with expression.
they'll never feel comfortable playing with expression.
January 1, 2026 at 5:43 PM
If kids don't feel safe making mistakes in rehearsal,
they'll never feel comfortable playing with expression.
they'll never feel comfortable playing with expression.
If you're in your first years of teaching, remember this:
most overnight successes take 10-15 years.
most overnight successes take 10-15 years.
December 31, 2025 at 3:06 PM
If you're in your first years of teaching, remember this:
most overnight successes take 10-15 years.
most overnight successes take 10-15 years.
Parents are asking ChatGPT where to rent instruments.
Most local music stores never appear.
Not because they’re untrusted -
but because their answers aren’t easy to use.
Most local music stores never appear.
Not because they’re untrusted -
but because their answers aren’t easy to use.
December 30, 2025 at 1:30 PM
Parents are asking ChatGPT where to rent instruments.
Most local music stores never appear.
Not because they’re untrusted -
but because their answers aren’t easy to use.
Most local music stores never appear.
Not because they’re untrusted -
but because their answers aren’t easy to use.
Most instrument rental problems aren’t about price.
Parents decide before they call.
If the answers aren’t there yet, the decision already is.
So make sure ALL of those questions are answered on your website.
Parents decide before they call.
If the answers aren’t there yet, the decision already is.
So make sure ALL of those questions are answered on your website.
December 29, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Most instrument rental problems aren’t about price.
Parents decide before they call.
If the answers aren’t there yet, the decision already is.
So make sure ALL of those questions are answered on your website.
Parents decide before they call.
If the answers aren’t there yet, the decision already is.
So make sure ALL of those questions are answered on your website.
Music teachers:
what’s a healthy habit you wish you’d started earlier?
For me - hanging.
22 years conducting wrecked my shoulder.
This helped more than anything else.
what’s a healthy habit you wish you’d started earlier?
For me - hanging.
22 years conducting wrecked my shoulder.
This helped more than anything else.
December 24, 2025 at 4:56 PM
Music teachers:
what’s a healthy habit you wish you’d started earlier?
For me - hanging.
22 years conducting wrecked my shoulder.
This helped more than anything else.
what’s a healthy habit you wish you’d started earlier?
For me - hanging.
22 years conducting wrecked my shoulder.
This helped more than anything else.
Most adults think music careers mean performer. But today's students are asking about recording, beats, sound, and composing.
Music rooms are becoming career-exploration spaces - whether schools are ready or not.
Music rooms are becoming career-exploration spaces - whether schools are ready or not.
December 23, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Most adults think music careers mean performer. But today's students are asking about recording, beats, sound, and composing.
Music rooms are becoming career-exploration spaces - whether schools are ready or not.
Music rooms are becoming career-exploration spaces - whether schools are ready or not.
They said “No Budget.” Here’s how they got the PO anyway.
If your class needed supplies and you didn’t bother asking for them, this one’s for you. I wrote this for music retailers - but honestly? It might help you ask without getting shut down.
Link in comments.
If your class needed supplies and you didn’t bother asking for them, this one’s for you. I wrote this for music retailers - but honestly? It might help you ask without getting shut down.
Link in comments.
December 22, 2025 at 1:05 PM
They said “No Budget.” Here’s how they got the PO anyway.
If your class needed supplies and you didn’t bother asking for them, this one’s for you. I wrote this for music retailers - but honestly? It might help you ask without getting shut down.
Link in comments.
If your class needed supplies and you didn’t bother asking for them, this one’s for you. I wrote this for music retailers - but honestly? It might help you ask without getting shut down.
Link in comments.
The bad news? Your ensemble is a direct reflection of their director.
The good news?
Your ensemble is a direct reflection of their director.
The good news?
Your ensemble is a direct reflection of their director.
December 21, 2025 at 1:09 PM
The bad news? Your ensemble is a direct reflection of their director.
The good news?
Your ensemble is a direct reflection of their director.
The good news?
Your ensemble is a direct reflection of their director.
If your students only play music at their current level, they never improve.
If you only program hard stuff, they get frustrated and sound terrible.
If it's too easy, they get bored and misbehave.
There's a middle ground. It's called At/Over/Under.
Here's how it works:
If you only program hard stuff, they get frustrated and sound terrible.
If it's too easy, they get bored and misbehave.
There's a middle ground. It's called At/Over/Under.
Here's how it works:
December 20, 2025 at 2:25 PM
If your students only play music at their current level, they never improve.
If you only program hard stuff, they get frustrated and sound terrible.
If it's too easy, they get bored and misbehave.
There's a middle ground. It's called At/Over/Under.
Here's how it works:
If you only program hard stuff, they get frustrated and sound terrible.
If it's too easy, they get bored and misbehave.
There's a middle ground. It's called At/Over/Under.
Here's how it works:
Your director isn't on pitch. But it's not because they're out of tune.
Music teachers can get more instruments by pitching better.
• "Can we have $550 for a trumpet?" NO.
• "We found a trumpet for $550. That's $36/year for 45 students over 15 years." YES
One gets rejected. One gets approved.
Music teachers can get more instruments by pitching better.
• "Can we have $550 for a trumpet?" NO.
• "We found a trumpet for $550. That's $36/year for 45 students over 15 years." YES
One gets rejected. One gets approved.
December 19, 2025 at 12:53 PM
Your director isn't on pitch. But it's not because they're out of tune.
Music teachers can get more instruments by pitching better.
• "Can we have $550 for a trumpet?" NO.
• "We found a trumpet for $550. That's $36/year for 45 students over 15 years." YES
One gets rejected. One gets approved.
Music teachers can get more instruments by pitching better.
• "Can we have $550 for a trumpet?" NO.
• "We found a trumpet for $550. That's $36/year for 45 students over 15 years." YES
One gets rejected. One gets approved.
I thought I had a really good group of kids.
Turns out, they were just "ghetto."
Turns out, they were just "ghetto."
December 18, 2025 at 12:42 PM
I thought I had a really good group of kids.
Turns out, they were just "ghetto."
Turns out, they were just "ghetto."
School music outperforms youth sports as a long-term revenue market.
70% of kids quit sports by age 13. Music students often stay through high school.
That’s 4–6 more years of family spending.
Retention beats hype.
70% of kids quit sports by age 13. Music students often stay through high school.
That’s 4–6 more years of family spending.
Retention beats hype.
December 17, 2025 at 12:42 PM
School music outperforms youth sports as a long-term revenue market.
70% of kids quit sports by age 13. Music students often stay through high school.
That’s 4–6 more years of family spending.
Retention beats hype.
70% of kids quit sports by age 13. Music students often stay through high school.
That’s 4–6 more years of family spending.
Retention beats hype.
Music pros: attending Midwest?
Two tips for your time in Chicago.
Finish your conversation with one person
before looking at the name tag of another.
When you get back, teach the kids in front of you,
not the kids you "wish" you had.
Two tips for your time in Chicago.
Finish your conversation with one person
before looking at the name tag of another.
When you get back, teach the kids in front of you,
not the kids you "wish" you had.
December 15, 2025 at 12:23 PM
Music pros: attending Midwest?
Two tips for your time in Chicago.
Finish your conversation with one person
before looking at the name tag of another.
When you get back, teach the kids in front of you,
not the kids you "wish" you had.
Two tips for your time in Chicago.
Finish your conversation with one person
before looking at the name tag of another.
When you get back, teach the kids in front of you,
not the kids you "wish" you had.
Show me you were alive in the 80s.
I'll start: my mom put a Walkman on layaway at Service Merchandise.
I'll start: my mom put a Walkman on layaway at Service Merchandise.
December 13, 2025 at 12:42 PM
Show me you were alive in the 80s.
I'll start: my mom put a Walkman on layaway at Service Merchandise.
I'll start: my mom put a Walkman on layaway at Service Merchandise.
Low-income schools rely on Title I funds to buy instruments and music materials that support learning. Title I still exists, but future funding is uncertain and cuts are being debated, and the move from the Education Department to the Labor Department may change how funds are managed.
December 11, 2025 at 1:05 PM
Low-income schools rely on Title I funds to buy instruments and music materials that support learning. Title I still exists, but future funding is uncertain and cuts are being debated, and the move from the Education Department to the Labor Department may change how funds are managed.
Most adults still think music careers mean “performer.”
Teenagers know better.
Band rooms are becoming career-exploration spaces — recording, live sound, DJ work, composing.
When retailers help teachers show these paths ( with simple tools or connections), they become real partners, not just stores.
Teenagers know better.
Band rooms are becoming career-exploration spaces — recording, live sound, DJ work, composing.
When retailers help teachers show these paths ( with simple tools or connections), they become real partners, not just stores.
December 9, 2025 at 12:42 PM
Most adults still think music careers mean “performer.”
Teenagers know better.
Band rooms are becoming career-exploration spaces — recording, live sound, DJ work, composing.
When retailers help teachers show these paths ( with simple tools or connections), they become real partners, not just stores.
Teenagers know better.
Band rooms are becoming career-exploration spaces — recording, live sound, DJ work, composing.
When retailers help teachers show these paths ( with simple tools or connections), they become real partners, not just stores.