My TEACHING Philosophy
Arts Integration
I am wholly invested in providing a progressive and innovative education experience for your child. Arts Integration is a 21st-century concept that is being embraced by schools to further improve learning for children. Here is why I am a supporter:
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As much as we are alike, we are all different and have different needs. This absolutely applies to learning. Arts integration can provide the opportunity for a child to see a core subject through a different lens -- one that could make a seemingly difficult subject much easier to understand. Where there was no lightbulb or "A-ha!" moment, now there is the opportunity.
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The Arts promote collaboration. This transfers to developing group work skills, leaning how to work efficiently with others to create, solve problems, compromise, present, and perform.
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The Arts lend themselves to abstract thinking.
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For many students, arts classes are their "fun" classes. This gives them intrinsic motivation and promotes a fun and exciting learning environment.
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I am a firm believer that teachers should be well-equipped in appealing to visual, aural, and kinesthetic learners. The arts naturally lend themselves to this, providing a higher success rate for all types of learners.
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Students are given the chance to express themselves and step out of their comfort zone. They are constantly thinking out of the box and exploring new thought processes and ideas.
My go-to phrase in regards this is "Integration with Integrity." While I am a music teacher and fully intend on teaching my subject, I will always look for the opportunity to organically make those connections between the arts and the core subjects for my students.
It is my belief that music is, and should be, accessible to everyone. All of my students, regardless of background, are given the opportunity to discover that innate potential through formal music instruction. I believe that everyone has the potential to embrace their creativity, and I hold myself responsible for opening those doors to creativity for my students. Music is so visceral -- we can all connect to and embrace it; it is a personal and truly unique experience for every individual. It is also a pathway for learning life lessons; it can be used to teach students lessons about collaboration, respect, dilligence, individuality and responsibility, as well as many other valuable life skills. I hope to foster a lifelong love of music in all students, and to encourage positive growth in a nurturing environment where all students will feel that they can succeed.