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What attracted you to teaching music? What kind of teaching would you most like

to do?

For my sixth birthday, my parents gave me a piano. I started piano lessons that

year and have continued them since. Once I was old enough, I began singing in choirs in

my middle and high school. It was during my times in high school choir that I realized

this was the environment I wanted to thrive in through my profession. Through my K-12

education, I experienced a large range of teaching styles and behaviors that assisted in my

learning. I connected most with my music teachers, as I saw the passion and drive they

outwardly expressed every day in the classroom. Music has a remarkable way of

influencing students despite their differences in learning, backgrounds, and interests. This

ability to include all students through a medium I felt comfortable with created my desire

to teach. I see myself in an elementary school general music classroom teaching young

children ready to absorb any knowledge thrown at them. These classrooms are the

beginnings of a student’s journey through music, and I hope to create a solid framework

for my students to take in whichever direction they choose. I also enjoy the choral

classroom, and would be equally passionate in a high school choir setting. Older students

have different ranges of music aptitude and interest, which makes teaching a challenge. It

is my hope to give every child a music experience whether or not they wish to continue

their music career. In high school, I had a strong relationship with my high school choir

director. I looked up to her as my mentor, and I was grateful for the opportunities she

gave me. This included being a teacher assistant, accompanying the choir and having the

chance to conduct a piece my senior year. The choir director knew my interest in

continuing my music education and willingness to help with tasks small and large. These
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opportunities lead me with insight into the profession, sparking the idea to become a

music educator.

What are the most important dispositions for music teachers? Are any of these

dispositions a strength or weakness for you?

The idea that all children can learn is a disposition I believe to be essential in

teaching. A teacher should not lose hope in a student because of little music experience,

poor behavior, or lack of interest. It is our job as educators to not condone a student, but

rather put in every effort with every tool in our tool box. As a music teacher, it is

important to strive for the success of all students, despite their backgrounds or abilities.

Another important disposition to me is the idea of having compassion for students. Every

child needs to feel like someone cares for them and their achievements. Without this care,

an educator has a lack of motivation to help students on a day to day basis. The drive to

help the students is assisted through the passion of music. Music teachers have the

difficulty of being an elective, which leads to underfunding and lack of support from the

school systems. The disposition of approaching teaching with enthusiasm, energy and/or

a sense of humor is equally as important, as one must enjoy the subject they are teaching

to put the passion into teaching it to the children. A teacher with professionalism,

maturity and work ethic is very important to be successful, but to be effective one must

also put the passion and drive into teaching. Going “the extra mile” is something only a

few educators will do, but as a music educator it is key that we emphasize the importance

of our role in the educational system.

What is the purpose/worth of music education? What do you hope music students

will gain from studying with you?

Music education has an equal worth in a student’s schooling as any other subject.

School systems constantly undermine the worth of the arts, and therefore we are

constantly struggling to upscale our part in a child’s rounded education. These students

spend every day going through the same core subjects in the same classroom. One time a

day, and one day a week for each activity are children allowed to tune their brains in a

different matter. People sometimes will say they are turning their brains off when

participating in these artistic and extracurricular activities, but it is more as if they are

tuning on their brains to a different dimension. Once in these classrooms, whether it be

art, library, music, or any of the others, these students are able to explore their minds and

create their own opinions. We as teachers serve a very important role in setting down the

soil for these children to build and create from at the same time as they are analyzing and

learning.

As a music educator, I wish to be this “planter” that will lay the essential nutrients

down for these children. There must be structure in a classroom, and lessons will involve

challenging aspects, yet there will be another level to the typical classroom setting. There

will be room for creativity, for the mind to be engages through exploring, and for the

students to form their own opinions on different music and styles. In my classroom, I

wish for everyone to be seen as an important individual equally. As the teacher I will pay

attention to each child and their needs and wants. I will form a structured environment

where learning is possible; yet, it also gives the students a sense of freedom to explore all

sides of music and how it can affect others and themselves in similar and different ways.
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In what ways do you expect to grow professionally prior to student teaching? How

will you accomplish this?

Student teaching is drawing near, and I hope to continue to improve and grow each day

until then. As I edge closer to the professional world, I hope to gain more relationships

and connections with my professors and colleagues. Professionalism is one of the most

important core competencies, and I believe these experiences in and out of the classroom

through my music education classes will help me establish this. Creating relationships

with teachers, parents, and students is vital and I hope to learn how to maintain these

relationships in a professional way.

I also want to gain as much knowledge as possible through these experiences. In

my observations at a variety of schools, I will be able to see different environments and

teaching styles. I can then base my own pedagogical philosophy from these encounters

and establish them in my own teaching. This knowledge will help me teach effectively

and assist in my professional growth. I also hope to continue showing my drive and

passion for music education for the remainder of my time here at James Madison

University. I am eager to take in the knowledge and opportunities my professors give to

us as students. This knowledge will further shape my dispositions in teaching. My

preparedness for the professional world will also improve, and with that so will my

confidence in the classroom. All of these improvements will come from the experiences I

encounter through my education. Observing and teaching children of different ages in

various environments will create a well-rounded view into the role of a music educator. T