The Elementary Music Teacher Podcast: Music Education

This episode comes directly from the "Start the School Year Off Right" challenge that I hosted earlier in the month.  If you missed the challenge and want to be a part of the challenge next summer or this coming Winter, be on the lookout on the podcast for announcements about when those are coming. In this episode, we'll talk all about classroom management, setting up your classroom, and mindset as you head back into the school year.  We discuss ways to approach these ideas whether you're teaching in your classroom, virtually, or on a cart. If you want to join the free Facebook group, you can do that here. You can also download a free classroom management guide here. Join the HARMONY waitlist so you're the first to know when doors reopen. I'd love for you to leave a rating and a review of the podcast on I-tunes, be sure to share the podcast with any music teacher friends who would find it helpful and be sure to tag me on Instagram or Facebook.

In this episode, Justin Mclean and I have a conversation all around intentional bridge building in music classrooms.  You'll find out what building bridges really means, why it's so very important, and ways to connect with your students on a deeper level.  Justin Mclean is currently the Percussion Director/Assistant Director of Bands at Hightower HS and Lake Olympia MS Band in Fort Bend ISD. Mr. McLean is a Texas native raised in Rosenberg, Texas a humble community right outside of Houston. Justin’s love of music began at an earlier age and was heavily influenced in church through both gospel and secular artists/musicians. His ambitions propelled him to strive for excellence not only in his personal aspirations but also in his academic/professional life and to his wife Brittany and 3 beautiful children Lennox, Blaise, and Cairo.  He received a bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Prairie View A&M University in 2011 and has had the pleasure of educating and training young musicians as a band director and percussion instructor for the past 9 years in HISD and now Fort Bend ISD. He is also a devoted music director and student minister in his local church and currently pursuing a Masters Divinity degree through Reformed Theological Seminary. You can connect with Justin here: Facebook Instagram Twitter Connect with The Score podcast here: On Apple podcasts On Instagram I'd love for you to leave a rating and a review of the podcast on I-tunes, be sure to share the podcast with any music teacher friends who would find it helpful and be sure to tag me on Instagram or Facebook.

In this episode, my sister Jeralyn and I have a candid conversation about all things education.  She's taught in the general classroom, has taught in 3 different states, and now is the ESL coordinator at her school.  Since it's July, I wanted to have a lighthearted conversation about: What classroom teachers wish music teachers knew and vice versa What it's like teaching during COVID while also being a parent How to help special needs learners succeed Ways to still bring music to your students, even if teaching virtually I'd love for you to leave a rating and a review of the podcast on I-tunes, be sure to share the podcast with any music teacher friends who would find it helpful and be sure to tag me on Instagram or Facebook.

If you're feeling a bit overwhelmed heading into this school year, or you have no idea what to expect with all the uncertainty about going back, this episode is for you.  This audio comes from a recent Facebook live I did.   I talk about mindset you might be struggling with, where the overwhelm is coming from, and how to move forward with letting go of what you can't control.  I'd love for you to leave a rating and a review of the podcast on I-tunes, be sure to share the podcast with any music teacher friends who would find it helpful and be sure to tag me on Instagram or Facebook.

Autumn Shurley, Justin Stanton , and Lauren Larson are three music teachers who are apart of my HARMONY membership site.  They came on the podcast to talk about their experience with joining HARMONY, what their teaching life was like before they joined, and the reasons they choose to stay a member month after month. Download a FREE HARMONY lesson plan pack sample right here. We'd love to have you join us!  Enrollment is open until Tuesday, June 30th at 10pm CST.  You can join HARMONY here.

Joseph Tagnipes and Ashley Hawk are two music teachers who are a part of my HARMONY membership site.  They came on the podcast to talk about their experience with joining HARMONY, what their teaching life was like before they joined, and the reasons they choose to stay a member month after month.   Download a FREE HARMONY lesson plan pack sample right here. We'd love to have you join us!  Enrollment is open until Tuesday, June 30th at 10pm CST.  You can join HARMONY here.

One of the greatest pleasures of being an elementary music teacher is being able to pour into the lives of your students each and every day.  But, one of the hardest parts is when they leave you and move on to middle school, high school, and beyond.   In this podcast episode, I get the opportunity to talk to one of my former students Ralph.  He talks about his experience in going from elementary school to being a full time worship pastor and pursuing music as a career.  We also talk about his experience as a black student with white teachers and those times he felt like he was unseen by certain teachers   One thing Ralph says that I love is how teachers don't know how many seeds you're planting in the lives of your students right now.  You don't know the fruit that those seeds will bear one day either.  The teachers he remembers the most are the ones who took the time out to form relationships with him, gave him understanding, and didn't just teach the content.   Ralph Edwards is a professional musician and creative in the Central Arkansas area. Originally from Tulsa, OK, he developed a passion for music and the arts at an early age, leading him to a full time career in music today. He serves as the Worship Pastor at That.Church in Sherwood, AR. You can connect with Ralph here: Facebook Instagram Email Register for the upcoming FREE 5 day "Start the School Year Off Right" challenge here I'd love for you to leave a rating and a review of the podcast on I-tunes, be sure to share the podcast with any music teacher friends who would find it helpful and be sure to tag me on Instagram or Facebook.

Is navigating parenting and working from home a challenge for you right now?  I know transitioning from the classroom to the virtual world is a game changer. I’ve been asked and have seen so many questions around working from home, so I wanted to give some tips and tricks that have worked well for me as I've been doing this for the last 4 years.  I hope you’ll find this information helpful as you navigate this work from home journey. This presentation was originally given for the Music Education Summit Series.  The main points I talked about are: Give yourself grace Let your kiddos know when you need to work (if they’re old enough to understand) Plan activities ahead of time for your kids to do while you’re working Know that there will be a lot of interruptions Work when your kids aren’t awake Stay consistent and be patient Your workload will look different each day Let go of that parent guilt Be clear about your expectations with others Set a schedule Communicate with your spouse (if you’re married) what you need Find quiet time for YOU Work in a quiet spot and get creative Read the parent and work from home blog post here Register for the upcoming FREE 5 day "Start the School Year Off Right" challenge here Find out more about the HARMONY membership site here I'd love for you to leave a rating and a review of the podcast on I-tunes, be sure to share the podcast with any music teacher friends who would find it helpful and be sure to tag me on Instagram or Facebook.

In this episode, Katie Holbrook and I talk all about imposter syndrome, finding your people, and leaning into communities as a music teacher.  This conversation was so good and we discuss all the things that will help you gain forward momentum if you're battling any of these things.   I also always say that if one music teacher is dealing with something or has a question, it means someone else does too.  Katie shares some great ideas and strategies and I know you'll walk away from this conversation feeling refreshed and ready to go into next school year feeling a bit better.  Katie isn't a veteran teacher, but is a second generation teacher so it's in the blood.  She's active online in the teacher community and is an advocate for equitable music education. You can connect with Katie here: 130music.com On Instagram at onethirtymusic On TPT at 130 Music Register for the upcoming FREE 5 day "Start the School Year Off Right" challenge here Find out more about the HARMONY membership site here I'd love for you to leave a rating and a review of the podcast on I-tunes, be sure to share the podcast with any music teacher friends who would find it helpful and be sure to tag me on Instagram or Facebook.

White music teacher friends.  This episode is all about my experience working in a school with a high demographic of black students.  I talk about what I learned in the process and my hope is that you'll hear my words and will learn from them.   If I can be honest, I’ve been stewing on whether or not to record this podcast episode for days now.  I even told one of my best friends I have so much to say, but I don’t want this to be about me or to offend anyone with my words at all.  That is never and will never be my intention. But, with so much stewing in my heart, I knew I had to get my words down in the hopes of helping other white educators.  After praying about it, I knew it was time. I pray those of you hearing this episode can see and hear my heart through my words.  Because, that is the only way I’m coming at you is with a completely loving and open heart to learn and also share with you today. You can read the blog post that goes with this episode here. Register for the upcoming FREE 5 day "Start the School Year Off Right" challenge here I'd love for you to leave a rating and a review of the podcast on I-tunes, be sure to share the podcast with any music teacher friends who would find it helpful and be sure to tag me on Instagram or Facebook.