Thanks to all of you for your response and comments. If you have any more...please feel free. You guys have helped a lot!

I would say not to take the two years off. Insted you could just not teach high school for those two years. Go to the 7th graders to get there respect. But rember because you dont do it they might get someone else to do it in your place.

I started teaching at my old high school when I was asked to come back as a snare/quad/pit tech. I never had much trouble cause I was friends with most of the line and we all got a long.

But there can be those times that you'll have to tell a junior or senior that you know pretty well that they are doing something wrong and they won't wanna listen to you. Just be firm and let them know you are an authority figure over them. The more respect you show, the more you will earn.

i guess i was fortunate to come back almost a year after (came back for the indoor season, not the following outdoor season). I knew some people on the line then, but everyone understood I knew what I was doing with a pair of sticks, so I had respect. I suppose I was lucky that there were a bunch of rookies then, but really, if you've got the confidence and the right drive for a teaching gig, then you'll be successful. You have to be open minded and patient, and willing to compromise (or look at other ways of approaching said tasks) when you're a younger teacher.

Good luck.

Oops... I replied in the wrong thread.

I was asked back right away by my bd to be assistant instructor. The first day of rehearsal I was told to work with the snares as this was my area of expertise. The new senior and section leader immediately said "you can just **** right off" as I approached. I didn't know what to do at this point. For the next couple of weeks I stayed with the pit and helped do some other tasks like equipment repairs, etc. However at the end of camp a few weeks later he came up to me and said "I'm sorry I acted like that, thanks for all that you have done". I knew that he wanted to have the spotlight as section leader now, because he is a drummer, and drummers can be like that, especially in hs. I also know this because I was like that and might have reacted in a similar fashion being so young still! As I recall the rest of the year was fine and I became head instructor a year later and am still there. Of course I know for certain that some of my line does not care for me, but they can either deal with it or hand in their drum...know what I mean.

Like others have said just be fair, equal, and make sure the new seniors/leaders know you are not their to steal their thunder...sit down with them personally if you need to.

Sit down with the older kids right off the bat, especially if you were just in the line recently, but either way, its a good thing to do. Let them know you're here for them, you're doing things for a reason (and don't be afraid to explain those reasons) and that it's a team effort.

I graduated from my HS and went right into teaching. The first year was hell, because I got no respect. The second year was a little better, as the kids knew me less. The third was a littler better than second, as it was the same group from before, so we were a little tighter and experienced. This year, all of my "problem kids" that I had been in the line with are gone, and I'm getting a lot more respect.

The number one thing I've learned? Talk to them, explain things. They don't know your reasons, so explain them. Be thorough. I made it abundantly clear for the last two years that I am a resource for them, but in the end, it's their buns on the field. I can give them the tools to build a mansion, but if they don't pick them up and work with them, they're going to end up in a shanty.

Also, don't hang out with them. Stick with the staff. If you hang out with them, you're going to be percieved as being "one of them", and respect will dwindle.