The Elementary Music Teacher Podcast: Music Education

This episode is about how to have a successful first year of teaching music.  Bethany Johnson and I talk about: Her experience going from student teaching to her own classroom What it's like to team teach Advice from her heart to new music teachers Why it's important to give yourself grace when you're just starting out Bethany grew up in Richmond, VA, earned my bachelor's degree in Instrumental Music Education from George Mason University, and completed her first year of teaching in Northern Virginia in 2019.  She team-teaches approximately 1,000 K-5 students per week now. You can follow Bethany on Instagram at missgeneralmusic 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.

Reflecting on the beginning of the school year is so important, so you're able to move forward into the rest of the year with success.  When you reflect on the start of the school year, you'll feel renewed and ready to keep teaching music like a rock star!  In this episode, we talk about: -Doing a mid-year reflection -Looking ahead towards the rest of the school year -Goal setting and writing a mission statement We'd LOVE for you to join us in HARMONY!  You can enroll 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.

Have you wondered what all the fuss is about when it comes to the HARMONY membership?  Why are so many music teachers enrolling and staying around every month?   Not only do members get monthly done for them lesson plans, lesson plan packs, and implementation lessons, they get bonus resources, monthly coaching calls, and Facebook lives where I answer questions submitted to me or posted in the group each month.   Download a FREE HARMONY lesson plan pack sample right here. This is your opportunity to listen in to one of the Facebook lives I did with the members so you can hear what it's like.   We'd LOVE for you to join us in HARMONY!  You can enroll 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, I'm recapping every episode from 2019.  I give a short synopsis of every episode and break down what you'll learn by listening to each one.  Then, you'll be able to identify what you're needing and will be able to gain momentum before heading into 2020.  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, I talk with Matthew Stensrud, better known as "Mister S Orff" about the responsive classroom and movement ideas in the music room.  He shares so many amazing ideas that are easy to implement and that I know you'll gain so much value from.   If you're unfamiliar with what the responsive classroom is, then this episode will help you out so much.  You'll find out how to connect with your students better, ways to include movement and to get them involved in the learning process, and how to really make your music classroom your own.  Matthew Stensrud is an award-winning Elementary Music and Movement Teacher and currently teaches PK-4 music and movement at Sidwell Friends Lower School in Washington, DC. He received his Master of Music Education from George Mason University and Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, is an Orff Schulwerk approved Teacher Educator of Movement, and teaches Movement Levels Courses in South Carolina and Oregon. Matthew is also on The Orff Echo Editorial Board and was a key content contributor to the book Responsive Classroom for Music, Art, PE and Other Special Areas. He present workshops internationally and is well-known on social media as @MisterSOrff. You can connect with him here: His website: www.mistersorff.com On Instagram here On Facebook 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.

This time of year can feel so stressful.  You've got holiday parties, performances galore, and oh so many gifts to buy.  But, it's also possible to find joy in this season too.   In this episode, we'll discuss how even though this is the most overwhelming time of the year, it is possible to beat the holiday stress while still teaching music to your students.  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.

This interview is all about how to turn the negative parts of teaching music into positive ones.  Every day of being a teacher won't be all sunshine and rainbows, and in this episode we explore what to do when you feel like it's all just too hard. Traci Stewart is an elementary music teacher from Alabama who LOVES her school and LOVES her students  She has been married for 20 years and has 2 teens, both in the high school band, for which she is lead chaperone coordinator.  She also teaches a group fitness class as a Revelation Wellness instructor. You can find Traci on Instagram at elementarymusicmatters and revelatefitnessandpraise 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.

I honestly can't believe it's been 3 years since I started The Domestic Musician website.  Those years seriously flew by so fast.  In this short but sweet episode, I'm going to let you know why I'm thankful for each and every one of YOU.  I'm thankful for your support and for every listen of the podcast, read of the blog, and kind message I've received.  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, we'll talk about how your background makes you the teacher you are today.  Think about your childhood...how did you grow up and how does that make you relate to your students?  Also, think about your background with music and how to communicate that with your students.  How did you become a musician and in your childhood, how did you know you wanted to pursue playing an instrument or singing?   All of these things from your childhood experiences, the way you grew up, your highs and lows from your childhood, and how you connected with music will help you form connections with your students.  Mentioned in this episode: "How Your Background Makes You a Better Music Teacher " blog post Episode 35- Forming a sense of community in the music classroom Valentine's Day activity Episode 42- Bringing your musicianship into your classroom Episode 61- How to build relationships with your students 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.

This episode with Bryson Tarbet is seriously so good.  He talks about his experience working with students on the autism spectrum and how to work with several other types of special learners in the music classroom.   Bryson Tarbet is an elementary music educator just outside of Columbus, Ohio. Between two buildings, he serves nearly 700 students, Kindergarten through 6th grade. Bryson received his Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Ohio Wesleyan University and is currently pursuing a Masters in Music with Kodály Emphasis from Capital University, where he has also completed Kodály level one. In addition to his "traditional" music education responsibilities, he also serves students with exceptional needs in self-contained music classes. Regardless of the situation, Bryson strives to create successful music-making experiences for all students. Bryson is a proud Cat-Dad and loves to wear silly socks and share them with his students each day. This blog post "Music Speaks Autism" gives some reasons why music helps autistic learners so much.  You can connect with Bryson here: His Website  Instagram Facebook Here are some links Bryson wanted to share as well: Music Education for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder Music for Little People Wee Sing Dinosaurs Coast Music Therapy   Free PDF that shares my top 5 ways to better serve exceptional learners! 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.