Philosophy of Education

Although this isn't even close to what my entire philosophy will be, it is a good start.

Teacher of the year award
Teaching isn’t just about making sure your students know the facts and hoping they will memorize the information just so they can spit it right back at you or onto a test. It isn’t only conversing about a single subject. Sometimes I feel that we are so wrapped up in the technical things that we forget about life experience. In my experience, kids cannot learn that way- well they can, but not in a way that is beneficial to them and the community.
As a teacher, I want to show my students the passion I have for music and teaching. I want to help them realize they can have that passion for anything- it doesn’t even have to be in music. All that matters is that they become passionate about something they love. That passion can lead them to places they never thought they could go. I want them to dream big and follow those dreams. However, I also want them to realize that dreams change. One day they may want to be this big time pop start and the next they may want to be a doctor or a pilot or a teacher. There are so many possibilities and I want them to find their own spot in life and in the community.
In my classroom, I want the kids to be able to think outside of the box, want to think outside, and not be afraid to share their opinion after doing so. Many students, especially in the high school setting, are afraid to be different than their peers. When I was in high school, I had a teacher who pushed me to have my own opinions and be the “real” me- no regrets. Although it was pretty difficult, I found me. My music was the center of this and I knew that was what I wanted to do. As I became more confident in myself and what I was performing, I was able to be myself. I didn’t care what other people thought of me- all that matter was what I thought of myself. I want my students to feel that way. I want to help them realize that they shouldn’t base the way they act and who they are on the opinions of other people. They should be able to say what they think and not be afraid to be silly. Once they become themselves then they can achieve so many amazing things for themselves and the community.
I constantly say that I want my students to be involved in the community, but after a few years I realized that if you want your students to, you need to be the example. Actions speak louder than words, so do what you preach and they will follow.
I also want students to learn about other cultures. By picking pieces that are from a different part of the world, it gives the students and me a chance to learn about a people foreign to us. Other countries know so much about us, why don’t we know anything about them? Culture is something that everyone can learn from. There are so many amazing ideas and traditions out there; so why are we hesitant to learn about them?
I’m sure you are probably thinking- “So, are you actually teaching our kids something?” The answer is yes. I strive to help them be better people that have feelings and are interested in what is going on in the world. In return, I hope those ideas translate into the music they are producing. Singing isn’t just about reading the notes and the words on the page; it’s about connecting with the audience (the community). Music is so powerful; more than most people realize. It has the power to change lives. I can think of many instances when pieces have helped someone grieve or realize that it will all be okay in the end. I think that is so powerful and I hope that my students can convey that power in and outside of the choir room.