Teaching Philosophy

My philosophy on being an outstanding teacher is absolute dedication and passion for educating your students. Though I am a music educator, my number one priority is teaching students how to use music education as a tool to be lifelong learners and make a positive impact in the world around them. I am a teacher first, then I am a music teacher. In order to teach through music education, I must have the dedication and passion to educate my students and wish them success in all areas of their lives. 

As a current music educator, my philosophy of teaching reinforces the idea that music is a language anyone can learn. Music impacts our society each and every moment of our lives, through emotions, academics, socialization, and different cultures. Therefore, it is imperative that music educators uphold music’s importance and provide their students with meaningful instruction. I believe that music education should be taught for the students, not to the students. Music is a gift that should be shared with the world, but this can only be done if students understand how to make music, rather than knowing music. As society matures and changes, teaching styles change as well. My philosophy of teaching music surrounds the idea of always growing and learning the best approaches to teaching music to my students. In the current 21st-century approach to music education, provides students with endless opportunities to explore their classmates’ cultures and gain a greater appreciation for cultures outside of their own. It is my role to foster this celebration of diversity within my lessons and classroom for my students. In addition to celebrating diversity within my music classroom, it is my goal to provide accessible music education to all of my students. Because music is a language that every student should be able to learn and understand, it is critical for my classroom to be student-centered and have scaffolded lessons where each student can succeed. In addition, it is imperative that I am flexible in my teaching strategies and adapt to my student’s needs. 

Music can be a very personal experience for students, but it can also be an experience that opens up the opportunity to connect with others. As such, it is my firm belief that music education should be tailored to each student and that each student should be given the tools to succeed in music later in life. Even if music does not become an active part of my student's lives in the future, I will provide each student with the skills to be musical and share music with those they love. I wish for my students to grow through music and use it to become lifelong learners. I want them to become musical human beings, but more importantly, understand how to use music to benefit themselves and make a positive impact on the world around them. I am a teacher dedicated to fostering lifelong learning through the discipline of music. 

My philosophy of music education is going to change and update as I gain more experience and gain a further understanding of exactly what my students want and need to be successful in their own ways. But one thing will remain constant: I will continue to share my passion for music and music education with my students because all students should be given the gift of music. My teachers shared their love and understanding of music with me at a young age, and it is my role as an educator to do the same for my students.