My personal teaching philosophy is grounded in the belief that all students have a right to explore their potential as musicians and engage in meaningful musical experiences, regardless of socioeconomic status, physical, or intellectual abilities. Music provides a medium for students to develop not only their musical abilities, but also their skills in collaboration, discipline, and patience. I intend to foster a musical environment that empowers students, through active learning opportunities, to not only harvest these skills, but to maintain a sense of curiosity for the world around them.
Effective musical instruction includes creating a flexible and individualized, student-centered learning environment, responding to the needs of students both as a whole and individually in order to achieve success for each student. Each student enters the classroom carrying a unique set of musical and life experiences with them. It is my job as an educator to produce experiences that respect students’ personal backgrounds and needs, through the cultivation of relationships with my students. With careful thought and creativity, I will make choices in literature that will accommodate and support these needs in a culturally responsive and appropriate manner.
In my classroom, I strive to deliver clear expectations and behaviors, consistent support, and opportunities to practice succeeding with high standards, providing mentorship and feedback considering students’ differences. It is important that students leave my classroom with strong foundational skills in musical literacy and sound production, practicing these skills in concurrence with learning to be more patience, respectful, and diligent in their everyday lives. Regardless of talent level, all students deserve to have the same opportunity to experience joy with music and grow as both a musician and human.
I view music education as a means to provide students with skills they will take with them beyond the classroom. By giving students achievable and individualized goals, opportunities for practicing patience and consistency, and letting them face adversity head-on, I aim to create a well-rounded human. Additionally, Music should be something students feel drawn towards for the rest of their lives, whether it is performing, observing, or advocating for. As a band director, I am committed to ensuring that my students have a lifelong appreciation for the arts, feel comfortable to make mistakes and grow, and maintain curiosity for the world around them.