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My Happy Teaching Life

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A Letter to My Students

A Letter to My Students

To All My Students, You aren’t perfect.  If I’m being honest, sometimes you got on my nerves. I probably got frustrated with you at least once or twice – for some of you it was quite a bit more than

megthorup May 28, 2020May 28, 2020 Happier Teaching Read more

Redefining Your Identity

Redefining Your Identity

I never intended to teach Spanish. I got a minor in Spanish just because I wanted to improve my language abilities, yet here I am ten years later still teaching Spanish. I’ve learned a lot from teaching both Spanish and

megthorup April 4, 2020April 4, 2020 Happier Teaching, Orchestra Tips Read more

Beyond Surviving

Beyond Surviving

I recently heard a story about people in London. Public transportation there is used by the majority of residents in the city. At some point there was some construction done and many of the normal routes were closed or changed.

megthorup March 18, 2020March 18, 2020 Happier Teaching, Orchestra Tips Read more

Making Gratitude Work

Making Gratitude Work

Teaching has a tendency to become a negative profession. I’m sure you’ve heard it in the halls, the teachers’ lounge, or your own classroom. Teachers complaining about disrespectful students, uncaring admin, or ignorant legislators. Negativity spreads quickly and is frightfully

megthorup March 3, 2020March 3, 2020 Happier Teaching Read more

What True Self-Care Is For Me

What True Self-Care Is For Me

Lately I have seen and heard a lot of people talking about self-care. Burnout is real and rampant, and many people are looking for a way to combat that. According to most of the people writing and talking about self-care,

megthorup February 15, 2020February 15, 2020 Happier Teaching Read more

There’s Always Too Much To Do – And That’s Great

There’s Always Too Much To Do – And That’s Great

Today is a snow day for me. It was a little strange because I woke up to a light dusting of snow on the grass, not nearly enough to cancel school. I got up and started going through my morning

megthorup February 3, 2020February 3, 2020 Happier Teaching Read more

Choosing to Stay

Choosing to Stay

As I wrote in my very first post, I didn’t always love teaching. I went weeks and months where I thought about quitting almost every day. After a lot of soul searching, I chose to keep teaching. I chose to

megthorup February 1, 2020February 3, 2020 Happier Teaching Read more

Finding Your Why

Finding Your Why

At the beginning of every week, I write a quote on the whiteboard in my classroom. The quotes aren’t necessarily related to music or education at all. I just like quotes and they often generate discussions in my classes. This

megthorup January 26, 2020February 1, 2020 Happier Teaching Read more

Why I’m Here

Why I’m Here

Three years. For three years I thought about changing careers almost every single day. For three years, I struggled with almost constant anxiety and at times, going days, weeks, or even months wondering if I’d ever be happy again. I

megthorup January 20, 2020February 1, 2020 Uncategorized Read more
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Recent Posts

  • Warmups for Orchestra Part 5: Improv Practice

    Warmups for Orchestra Part 5: Improv Practice

    March 15, 2025
    As a classically-trained violinist, I didn’t learn improvisation at all until just a few years …Read more
  • Maximizing Rehearsal Time: Keeping Students Engaged When You’re Working with Another Section

    Maximizing Rehearsal Time: Keeping Students Engaged When You’re Working with Another Section

    February 16, 2025
    Every music teacher has been there—you’re working with one section of your ensemble fixing a …Read more
  • Giving People an A

    Giving People an A

    January 19, 2025
    I’ve been reading a book called The Art of Possibility lately, and in the book, …Read more

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Contact Info

  • Meagan Thorup
  • Email: megthorup@gmail.com
  • Website: happyteachinglife.com

Recent Posts

  • Warmups for Orchestra Part 5: Improv Practice

    Warmups for Orchestra Part 5: Improv Practice

    March 15, 2025
  • Maximizing Rehearsal Time: Keeping Students Engaged When You’re Working with Another Section

    Maximizing Rehearsal Time: Keeping Students Engaged When You’re Working with Another Section

    February 16, 2025
  • Giving People an A

    Giving People an A

    January 19, 2025
  • Using Accountability Partners in Your Ensemble

    Using Accountability Partners in Your Ensemble

    January 18, 2025
  • Make a Class Composition that You Can Perform at Your Next Concert!

    Make a Class Composition that You Can Perform at Your Next Concert!

    January 4, 2025
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