Elementary General Music

I began teaching general music at the elementary level in 2008. My first experience in public schools was as an itinerant music teacher; with the opportunity to work in five schools in my first year, I had the benefit of observing and learning from veteran teachers every day. This foundation was extremely beneficial in my early teaching career as I was consistently learning strategies to implement a rigorous music curriculum.

My next position included general music classes for an alternative high school program. I was able to collaborate with my mentor at that time to plan lessons and learned the strength in rapport with students and their families. It was this teaching position which reminded me of the power of music and what it can bring to young people each day.

I returned to elementary music when I was hired at the Sunset Ridge Academy of Arts and World Languages (2010). I had the unique opportunity to help build this performing arts theme-based school through arts integration, collaboration and co-teaching with Language Arts, Science, Social Studies and Math teachers (please see Music Integration page). I know from the level of engagement from students and the vitality of lessons created through collaboration that the Teacher Artist Collaboration (TAC) lessons were a great success. It was also during this time that I taught Production Companies as part of our extended school day. These included:

Choral Music - grades 4-6; African drumming classes (djembe, krinyi, sangba, dundun); Piano Keyboard lab; 'Rapper's Delight' - writing in rhythm and rhyme; Acoustic guitar class

I am presently teaching in the West Hartford district at Aiken Elementary School, teaching general music grades K-5 and directing the grades 4-5 Choir.