My Philosophy

Music education is a crucial component in the school curriculum. According to the No Child Left Behind act, music, along with other arts, is a core academic subject. Music enables students to become more socially aware of other cultures, including their own. Students learn material in the music classroom that they can’t learn anywhere else. Leadership skills, cooperation, group participation, creativity, freedom of expression, patience, teaching skills, and so on are only a few skills obtained that make up individuals who are excellent contributors to our society. These are the people who make the next great inventor, the next best CEO, the next successful president, people who try to enhance our society. Without such skills, developed in the music classroom, there is little room for improvement amongst us.

A professor once told me, “Teaching is the highest level of learning.” As I embark on my own path to teaching, that quote is always in my head. I ask myself, what can I do to improve my skills as a teacher? How can I do this? Why do I want to do this? 

Something I found was stronger than my love for music was my love to teach music. At first I wanted others to feel the same way about music as I did, but then I realized that I enjoyed teaching others how to discover the intricacies in music. That wonder and curiosity I was able to ignite in others is what compelled me to choose this career path. I get to do what I love for a living, something only a few privileged people can say.

 Once this curiosity has been placed in my students I plan on developing it. I embrace “sound before sight before theory.” I want to make the music process significant and effective for each of my students. They might come from different backgrounds and experiences, but they can all be musicians. The National Standards for Music Education are an excellent way to create a well-rounded musician, which is one of my goals at the end of the day.

Students need to learn how to apply what they learn in the music classroom into the real world. I also want them to perform material that exposes them to other cultures, styles, and eras. Such repertoire should also highlight other subjects like math, history, language, and science.

I believe that in order to have a successful music program I need to have support from many people. Parents, school administrators, other teachers, and the community as a whole should be active participants in the students’ musical activities. This not only encourages them to improve on their instrument and music in general but also improves their self-esteem and gives them the confidence they need to be successful in other areas in life. From here I will find my advocates for music education and those who are willing to fund and support it. Creating a network of support is necessary to ensure a sound future not only for myself as a music teacher, but for my students, future music teachers, and future musicians.

 I want to profoundly impact my students. Even if they don’t continue music as a career, I want to make certain they will develop a deep respect and appreciation for the art form. They need to see music as a necessity, not a luxury. Music is a universal language more powerful than any other form of communication; it is the binding factor between race, gender, ethnicity, and beliefs.