Principled Practioner
As a principled practioner, I am committed to being attentive to how my students are learning and adjusting my strategies based on their needs. I'm prepared to provide learning opportunities of all kinds, providing my students with a broad education that covers many disciplines. I am open-minded and inclusive of new methods of learning, letting go of uneffective approaches and holding onto the most worthwhile plans for my students. I am knowledgeable of and grounded in the core principles of teaching, and I am eager to expand these ideas to bring students to their fullest potential and highest success.
Katie Ta's Sanctuary Project
In order to promote a more safe and welcoming environment in her music classroom, Katie Ta organized the Sanctuary Project. For this project, Ta ventured outside the norms of music education to explore other disciplines, and relate them back to music. Each student conducted a research project about their individual culture, or a culture in which they showed signficant interest. Students presented their findings to the class in engaging and informative ways, and while conducting their research, they were also writing a group musical composition to be shared at an upcoming concert. Overall, Katie Ta broadened her students' understanding of the world, teaching them that there are worlds of experience outside of their own, while keeping them engaged in musical activities. She inspired a culture of creativity and acceptance. I love her ideas and would be very interested in incorporating a similar project in my classroom, making positive changes in curriculum and mentoring well-rounded musicians.
Direct Instruction Lesson Plan
Direct instruction is one of the most traditional methods of education. In this lesson, I prepared a lesson based on "Sarasponda" through direct instruction, but used direct instruction to still create a valuable learning experience. I involve students in the learning process through discussion and and responding activities.
Personal Metaphor Project
I believe that a classroom is like a science lab, where students are free to experience the process of trial and error and make mistakes. My classroom will be a space for experimentation and discovery, and I expand on this idea in my reflection below.