College prepared us to teach music — to conduct, to program concerts, to build curriculum. But it didn’t prepare us for the hardest moments: the phone call about a student’s suicide, the lockdown drill that suddenly isn’t a drill, or the quiet grief that walks into rehearsal with no warning. In this session, we’ll have an honest, compassionate conversation about the emotional and logistical challenges music educators face when real life intrudes on the classroom. Learn strategies for responding to crisis, supporting your students (and yourself), and navigating the complex role we play in students’ lives far beyond the music stand. This session is about preparing for the moments we hope never come — and how to lead with care, clarity, and resilience when they do.