Joanne Nelson
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joannenelson.bsky.social
Joanne Nelson
@joannenelson.bsky.social
Music teacher, NBCT, oboist, mom, cookbook lover, avid reader, nerd.
I’m an Old and I loved your book, too!
December 4, 2025 at 1:31 AM
I went to a music festival by myself and had a great time. I could really feel how much better off I was than the year before.
Do something that you’ll enjoy, with whoever you enjoy. You’re going to be OK.
December 3, 2025 at 1:22 AM
Once when I told a date that I teach music and play in an orchestra on the side he told me that it was nice that I had a hobby as a break from my real job.
I don’t think he thought teaching was a real job, either.
December 2, 2025 at 12:27 PM
I’ll wait until it’s quiet.
December 1, 2025 at 10:23 PM
Middle/high school band director. I get asked the same question all the time. It’s hard to explain the amount of work that goes into learning to play so many instruments well enough to teach them. People don’t believe that it’s not “talent,” it’s an enormous amount of work and time.
December 1, 2025 at 10:20 PM
Also, giving teachers time to read, think, discuss, do things would put highly paid consultants out of a job. The ones who leave teaching for admin and then admin for consulting.
It also requires people to trust us.
December 1, 2025 at 4:23 PM
I think the lack of respect for the profession from policymakers leads to us being stretched too thin and micromanaged in a way that wastes our time. A request for unstructured time to meet with colleagues for PD is often rejected b/c “if we let you do it, we’d have to let everyone.” (Is that bad?)
December 1, 2025 at 4:23 PM
Your book about her is fantastic.
December 1, 2025 at 3:56 PM
I would read that.
November 30, 2025 at 2:06 PM
The guy who owns my local indie bookstore has told me directly that he orders extra copies of books that I and other customers order if they look interesting.
November 29, 2025 at 9:53 PM
I’m always looking for books for my 13 year old.
November 29, 2025 at 8:56 PM
I’ve never heard that in the Berkshires.
November 28, 2025 at 11:10 PM
Good luck!
November 28, 2025 at 11:04 PM
Pre-lit fake tree. Pretty twinkling with 2% of the effort. Unless swearing at lights is nostalgic for you.
November 28, 2025 at 10:59 PM
My oldest beginning oboe student was 75. When I asked her what made her decide to take lessons she told me “I’ve wanted to play the oboe since I was a little girl and I decided it was time.” The best message I could have received in my 20s.
November 27, 2025 at 4:17 PM
Goals.
November 27, 2025 at 3:46 PM
Not a saint, just a cook who wants a break at the end of the day and is going to lose it if an adult thinks it’s ok to sit and watch football while someone else does more of the work.
November 27, 2025 at 3:35 PM
There were a pair of older ladies laughing their guts out during the SpongeBob trailer yesterday. One of them gasped and called out to all of us “I’m sorry, it’s just so stupid it’s funny.” Now I kind of want to go see it when they go.
November 27, 2025 at 2:34 PM
And keep the cook’s glass full. Also make sure the cook is relaxing with the beverage of their choice after dinner while everyone else does the dishes.
November 27, 2025 at 2:31 PM
There was an article in the local paper in the Berkshires that someone dumped garbage in the same area as it happened in the song a few days ago. The perpetrator is still at large.
November 27, 2025 at 12:41 PM
Outstanding work by Tim Curry. He really kept up with the Muppets.
November 26, 2025 at 6:19 PM