Mackenzie Webster

Philosophy of Teaching

When it comes to the reason why I want to teach, it is mostly due to how I enjoy helping
people. I want to help students find their passion for music, or any passion they have through my
class. I want to help students make connections with their emotions and teach them what they are
able to gain through music, even if they do not continue playing eventually. With how
specifically, I just want to use the most effective way that my students personally learn. This can
vary from year to year, class to class, week by week, or even day by day, but as a teacher it is our
job to find what way works best for the students at that particular time. That is how I want to
teach.

How I will accomplish this is by always trying my best and continuously learning. I
cannot expect my students to give more than what I am giving, so I feel holding all of us to a
high standard will be the recipe for success. I want to show my students compassion. I want them
to feel safe in my classroom and feel welcome. I want this so that they will be comfortable
communicating with me so I will be able to get to know each of them well. I want to provide
multiple methods for learning. Visual examples, audible examples, and hands on examples. This
for me seems easily managed because music is a visual, audible, and hands on subject. I feel for
my particular subject; informal testing is best. I feel it allows the students to show what they
have learned in a low stress environment, which for a lot of people allows them to better
succeed. This is a way I can evaluate both the students and myself. If only a few students are
having trouble I can help hem each individually to do better, but if multiple students are having
an issue, not only can I help them, but it will also make me have to look back on how I am
teaching the material.

When it comes to how I can improve my teaching, there are multiple options. One way I
will be able to expand on my knowledge is to continue to take classes and go to conferences
about my subject. Another way is to have guest conductors come into my classroom as well and
shadow other teachers in their own classroom. Being open to constructive criticism is important
to growth, so I will always be open to people coming in to observe my classroom to give me tips
and pointers. I have the ability to get along with basically anyone and see at least one good
quality in every person. This would help me keep positive relationships with students and
parents. I am able to stay calm in stressful situations and am always able to see both sides of a
story. I want to always send out monthly or bimonthly newsletters to parents to keep them and
the students informed about what is going on. On that, there would also be a way to contact me
with any questions or concerns one might have.

Overall, I want my students to have fun while getting to learn, play, and make music. I
want this as a way for them to escape the daily struggles and stressors of life while still trying
their best. Not only will I teach them music, but I will also teach them skills that they will be
using throughout their entire lives.