Semester Reflection

Through my classes and experiences this semester I have realized how many
possibilities there are in the music education field. Our music education class this
semester was focused more on general music education. Through the experiences I had in
this class I realized that I wasn’t stuck teaching band for the rest of my career. I also
realized that I don’t have to teach one area for the rest of my life. By exploring different
fields, I have the ability to follow different career paths in the music education field. I
have the ability to teach other courses that involve choir, strings, general music, and even
technology. This semester especially, in addition to my desire to teach children, has
shown me there are other possibilities for my career, such as Elementary general music,
or Elementary band. Within this field I see myself teaching different grade levels of
children, with varying amounts of knowledge. I also know that in this position I can
teach choir and singing to my students because of the knowledge I gained in my Vocal
techniques class. Before this year I thought I was limited to teaching instruments, but
through my classes I have gained the ability to teach different levels of singing. I can use
the knowledge I’ve gained through practicum, and discussions with Alice Hammel to
work with students with special needs. I know now that there are ways to create lessons
that engage students with special needs, and include them in classroom settings. I have
the tools to create meaningful experiences for my students, and engage them in activities
instead of just teaching concepts to them. For the duration of my career I want to
continue to explore teaching other areas of music besides instrumental. I have
opportunities in the upcoming semesters to take general music classes that will help me
become more confortable teaching in an Elementary general music classroom. I want to
find opportunities to strengthen the skills I have learned over the semester, so I can
continue to become comfortable before I am in a classroom. I can also explore the music
and human services field and take classes that will give me more strategies about helping
students with disabilities. For the rest of my time at JMU I want to make the most out of
my classes so I can be the best teacher for my future students.
Over the course of the semester I have had lots of opportunities to observe and
participate in events that Music Education students have put on. A big project this
semester involved Ukulele. Throughout the semester we wrote lesson plans, and created a
Ukulele tutorial video. It was challenging because it presented a different way for us to
teach that wasn’t in a classroom. We had to develop ways to assess and adapt a lesson to
make it more accessible to everyone. Technology was also one of my struggles during
this process because I had never created a tutorial video before, so I had to learn how to
use more technology. I enjoyed this experience because it gave me the chance to teach
someone a subject that I wasn’t comfortable with, in a completely different setting than a
classroom. In addition to this, we all helped plan an event to teach Ukulele, and hold a
jam session that was available to anyone who wanted to learn. One of the biggest
challenges for me was learning to play the Ukulele because I had never played it before
this semester. It took a while to become comfortable enough to teach other people, but it
challenged me to think outside the box, and even work with people who had more
knowledge on a subject than I did. With the JMUke event I helped at the one in Rose
Library on campus, there was a variety of knowledge among all the participants. I was
able to assist students who had never touched a Ukulele before, as well as, jam with
people who knew more than I did and were able to help me learn more about the Ukulele.
This opportunity made me realize that as a teacher I am still learning, and there will be
things that students know more about, and can teach me about. At the end of the semester
the whole class a planned 19-day Ukulele curriculum. What was difficult about this was
how specific a curriculum plan has to be, so it involved a lot of editing and rewriting.
However, it was a nice introduction to something we’re going to have to do throughout
our career. Another opportunity we had this semester involved observing classes at an
Elementary school. We were able to explore a classroom that included students with
disabilities as well one that was self-contained. Before this semester I hadn’t had much
experience with students with disabilities besides the reading, and the classes gave me
more of an idea of what it was like to work with them. This assignment made me
confident that I can teach students with disabilities if they are ever in my classroom. I am
thankful for all the opportunities and experience this semester because they have
challenged me and opened my eyes to more possibilities in the field of Music Education.

Pedagogical Principles
A teacher should:

 Be knowledgeable on whatever subject they are are teaching.

I think to be a good teacher; you must have background knowledge on subject. A
teacher who is unprepared won’t provide the best experience for their students. Have a
good set of knowledge means that you can answer any questions that students may have,
and be able to explain what the class is learning.

 Be adaptable (to changing climates, and philosophies).

With new presidents and leader in office times are changing. As teachers we might not
have as many resources as we used to and we have to adapt to that and find a way to still
be the possible instructor for our students. I think this also means adapting your
classroom and teaching styles each year for your students so they have the best
experience possible.

 Be patient and willing to listen to students (questions, concerns, feedback).

I think it’s important to be make students feel comfortable to discuss any problems they
may have, whether it is about the class you’re teaching or something personal. As
teachers we shouldn’t be someone students see every other day in class, but also an
authority figure they feel ok with coming to.

 Provide experiences that can transfer to other aspects of student’s lives.

I think this means providing a structured curriculum and lessons that they can take and
teach their friends or use in other non-music aspects of their life. For example, teaching
them music technology is something they can use in other classes.
 Facilitate opportunities for students to lead during class.
As early as possible, we should let students get up in our classroom and lead warm-ups,
songs, dance, etc. in front of the class. This will allow them to get more comfortable
speaking up, leading and interacting with their peers.

 Motivate students to always complete work to the best of their ability.

In our classrooms we should give homework and projects that are meaningful to
students, instead of work that they just feel they need to complete each week. If
students like the work they are completing, they are more likely to complete it to the
best of their ability.

 Provide a safe environment for students to feel comfortable in.

As a teacher I believe my classroom should be a safe space for students. If they don’t
feel comfortable talking about it at home, or going to the counseling office, they
know they can come to me. I also think that the classroom should be a place where
we can open discussions about anything students might need to talk about.
 Incorporate technology into music classrooms.
We live in a world where students are constantly engaging in technology. As way to
meet students half way and engage them in their world in addition to bringing them
into ours, we should implore more technology in the classroom.
 Incorporate many different styles in their classroom to reach all different learners.
As an instructor you shouldn’t stick to the same strategies for teaching in each year.
You should using different modalities, visual aural and kinesthetic, to engage each
and every learner in your classroom. You can use different technology, exercises, and
strategies in each lesson to ensure that every student is being engaged in the best way
for them.
 Challenge students in every aspect of their learning.
In your classroom students should never be bored. Not every student is going to
respond in the same way to your lessons, so it is your job as an instructor to cater
your lessons and exercises to appropriately challenge each and every student.