This week, I welcome a colleague who shares my crusade of teaching teenagers to be the best they can be through choral music. Jimmy Robertson is a veteran teacher from Garland, TX. In this episode we discuss the ways in which being a teacher can, at times, drain us of our joy. We both love our jobs, but it takes intentionality, and sense of community to feel fulfilled in our careers.

Jimmy offers his insights on our tendency to “burn out” from overwork, unsupportive administrators, lack of connection with colleagues, our OWN need to prepare for the job, and possibly the greatest dragon of them all: the comparison game. “Do I measure up to other choir teachers?” Be sure listen, comment, and share your related experiences.

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Mr. Jimmy Lee Robertson III, aectionately known by his students as “Mr. Rob”, is one of five children and a native of Longview, TX. He is in his fourteenth year of teaching currently serving as Head Director of Choral Activities at Naaman Forest High School in Garland, TX.
Robertson holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from Stephen F. Austin State University, and a Master’s in Choral Conducting from Texas Tech University.

His passion for choral music is infectious in that several of his former and current students are All-Region Members, Texas Music Scholars, State Solo and Ensemble Qualifiers, and/or Texas All-State Choir Members. Students under Robertson’s tutelage have gone on to pursue music education at some of the finest music institutions in the country.
Robertson’s professional memberships include Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity, TMEA, TCDA, ACDA, SWACDA, and the Texas Music Adjudicators Association .

When not in the choral classroom, Robertson is in great demand as a UIL
Contest adjudicator, Festival Guest Conductor, All Region clinician, music education advocate, and soloist for weddings, church services, and (most recently) the Dallas Mavericks, performing the Star Spangled Banner there December of 2021.
Robertson is excited for his upcoming Carnegie Hall debut conducting Faure’s Requiem in June of 2025. He looks forward to joining his passion with other like-minded musicians all throughout the world. This choral podcast is dedicated to music education, and choral teachers all over world.

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