My core philosophies about my students is that all students are capable of learning, all students are capable of succeeding and all students are capable of being leaders. My core philosophies about my attitude as an educator is that I want to be my students biggest fan rather than their biggest critic, that I should seek first to understand before being understood, and that it's my job to make music fun and accessible for all my students.
Stating that all students are capable of learning is an undeniable fact, we start learning from the point of conception and on throughout life. Everyone learns differently, requires different tactics, approaches, etc. to succeed, and are ultimately capable of learning and growing. This truth avails itself to all aspects of life, including music. Learning reaches its pinnacle when your student is able to graduate from student to teacher. Success, therefore, is defined by the students ability to take their knowledge and teach others what they know. In doing so they can contribute to and facilitate others' learning in the learning environment. Now students aren't simply participants who receive an education but they can teach and mentor other students. That's how you produce leaders.
My philosophy for myself as an educator is that I am to be my student's biggest fan, rather than their biggest critic. Rita Pierson once said, "Every child deserves a champion, an adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connection, and insists they become the best they can be." I believe in my students and want to encourage them to believe in themselves. The philosophy to 'seek first to understand and then be understood' demands that I approach teaching and my students from a place of humility versus pridefully assuming I have all the answers or that I know what is going on in my student's lives. Finally, my role as an educator means I'm setting my students up for success and enabling them to access and enjoy making music.