The Elementary Music Teacher Podcast: Music Education

If you’re as pumped as I am about organization, then you’re in for a treat. You know I’m all about sharing my tips on staying organized in the chaos of life, lesson planning, and teaching. And today, we’re diving into a game-changer: the power of brain dumping. Now, if you’re scratching your head, wondering, “What on earth is a brain dump?” Fear not! I was in your shoes until I realized it’s not just my quirky phrase; it’s a legit thing, backed by countless blog posts. So, let’s demystify this and explore why brain dumping is your new secret weapon for staying organized. Read the full blog article on this episode, The Power of Brain Dumping for Organization - Jessica Peresta- The Domestic Musician Sign up for the Curriculum Design Workshop Grab your free ⁠⁠⁠Simplifying Lesson Planning guide.⁠⁠ Get your copy of ⁠⁠⁠⁠Make A Note: What You Really Need to Know About Teaching Elementary Music⁠⁠

In today's episode, we have a fascinating conversation with the talented Emi Ferguson, a versatile musician and author. Get ready to be inspired as we dive into the topic of inspiring the next generation of composers. Teachers, you're in for a treat – this conversation is filled with valuable insights to bring back to your students. Emi Ferguson shares her journey as a musician, from being a trained flute player to composing and singing. The conversation highlights the diversity within the musical world and challenges the notion of specializing as a contemporary construct. Drawing inspiration from legendary composers like J.S. Bach, the discussion encourages a holistic exploration of music. Connect with Emi: Website: www.emiferguson.com Instagram: @emiferguson Youtube: @emiferguson Facebook: @emifergusonmusic _____________________ Read this episode's blog post here Sign up for the Curriculum Design Workshop Grab your free ⁠⁠⁠Simplifying Lesson Planning guide.⁠⁠ Get your copy of ⁠⁠⁠⁠Make A Note: What You Really Need to Know About Teaching Elementary Music⁠⁠

Today, we're diving into the world of parent-teacher conferences and how, as the music teacher, you can strike a chord that resonates with both parents and students. We know every school has its unique rhythm, so let's explore how you can contribute to these conferences with these handy tips. Check out this episode's blog post here Grab your free ⁠⁠⁠Simplifying Lesson Planning guide.⁠⁠ Get your copy of ⁠⁠⁠⁠Make A Note: What You Really Need to Know About Teaching Elementary Music⁠⁠

Do you remember the days when you first stepped into the classroom as a music teacher, full of enthusiasm and a passion for sharing the gift of music with your students? Every lesson felt like an opportunity to inspire and connect with your young learners. However, as the years go by, it's easy to fall into a pattern of burnout and "Sunday night panic lessons," as one experienced teacher, Anna Jo, aptly put it. Anna Jo's journey as a music educator, like many others, has had its ups and downs. She, too, experienced moments of overwhelm and fatigue. But she also found a way to rediscover her love for teaching and, most importantly, her why. Anna Jo Knight has been teaching for 30 years now. She's currently an elementary music teacher at Abernathy Elementary School, Texas. _______________ Read this episode's blog post here Enroll in the HARMONY membership ⁠⁠⁠⁠here.⁠⁠⁠⁠ Sign up for the Reflect and Renew challenge right here. Grab your free ⁠⁠⁠Simplifying Lesson Planning guide.⁠⁠ Get your copy of ⁠⁠⁠⁠Make A Note: What You Really Need to Know About Teaching Elementary Music⁠⁠

Now, let me be the first to say, I am not a minimalist in my life. I love to keep things organized, clean out my closets, and constantly give things to goodwill. But in the music room, I want to talk about minimalism because it can bring simplicity, clarity, and joy to your teaching. So, let's dive into the world of minimalism and discover how it can transform your music classroom. Check out the episode's blog post here Sign up for the Reflect and Renew challenge Grab your free ⁠⁠⁠Simplifying Lesson Planning guide.⁠⁠ Get your copy of ⁠⁠⁠⁠Make A Note: What You Really Need to Know About Teaching Elementary Music⁠⁠

In this engaging episode, I'll take you through three creative ways to naturally integrate technology into your music classroom. As a passionate music teacher and educational technology specialist, I'll share insights on streaming content directly from your computer, embracing student Chromebooks, and the magic of Spotify playlists. I encourage educators not to be overwhelmed by technology and instead find the right balance that resonates with their teaching style and enhances the learning experience, all while keeping the joy of music at the heart of every lesson. Read the blog post that goes with the episode here Sign up for the Reflect and Renew challenge right here. Grab your free ⁠⁠⁠Simplifying Lesson Planning guide.⁠ Get your copy of ⁠⁠⁠⁠Make A Note: What You Really Need to Know About Teaching Elementary Music⁠⁠

In this podcast episode, we are joined by Ashley Cuthbertson, an expert in culturally responsive music education. Ashley shares her insights and experiences, providing valuable information for music educators looking to make their teaching more culturally responsive. Let’s explore how to make music education more inclusive and relevant for diverse learners. Key Conversations: Introduction to Ashley Cuthbertson: Ashley introduces herself, her background as a former music educator, and her mission to make music education culturally responsive. The Early Struggles: Ashley reflects on her initial challenges as a music educator and shares a pivotal moment when she realized the importance of understanding her students beyond their names. The Need for Culturally Responsive Teaching: Ashley emphasizes the need for teachers to go beyond just teaching and make learning contextualized and relevant for their students. First Year Teachers and Culturally Responsive Teaching: Ashley provides insights into how first-year teachers, and educators in general, can start incorporating culturally responsive teaching practices into their classrooms. Overcoming Pushback: Ashley addresses common pushback from educators and the underlying fear that often leads to resistance. She encourages teachers to believe in the power of what they do. The Power of Music Education: Ashley highlights the transformative power of music education and how it can impact students' lives in profound ways. Ashley Cuthbertson, M.Ed, NBCT (she/her) is the Founder & Principal Consultant of A. Cuthbertson Consulting, LLC, an educational consulting firm that partners with schools, school districts, and organizations to help music educators develop the knowledge, skills, and dispositions to deliver instruction that is culturally responsive & relevant to the diverse and ever-changing needs of today's learners so that all students have an equitable pathway to success in music. Described as an "engaging and charismatic" teacher educator, Ashley has delivered over 100 professional development sessions through her school district and organization partnerships, serving hundreds of music educators across the U.S. and internationally with 95% of attendees highly recommending her sessions. Additionally, she provides instructional coaching services to a small number of music educators each year. A Nationally Board Certified Teacher, Ashley holds a Master's in Education, as well as certifications in the Kodály approach and Arts integration. Ashley has over thirteen years of experience in education as a general music & choral educator, a band educator, a K-12 musicianship instructor, a private lessons instructor, lead teacher, new teacher coach, adjunct professor, curriculum writer, speaker, and consultant. A passionate advocate for music education, Ashley additionally serves the National Association for Music Education as a member of the Repertoire Diversity Task Force and the Virginia Music Educators Association as chair of the DEI Council. Learn more at https://ashleycuthbertson.com/about-us/ Connect with Ashley through: Instagram: @ACuthbertson10 (https://www.instagram.com/acuthbertson10/) Facebook: @ACuthbertsonConsulting (https://www.facebook.com/ACuthbertsonConsulting/) Twitter: @ACuthbertson10 (https://twitter.com/ACuthbertson10) Resource: "Happy Birthday, Dr. King!: A music unit to celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr" - Blog post & free resource download (link) __________________________ Check out our blog post about this episode here Sign up for the Reflect and Renew challenge right here. Grab your free ⁠⁠⁠Simplifying Lesson Planning guide.⁠⁠ Get your copy of ⁠⁠⁠⁠Make A Note: What You Really Need to Know About Teaching Elementary Music⁠⁠

Hello, dear educators! I'm thrilled to be back with an episode that's sure to ignite your teaching efficiency. One question I get asked a lot is, "How do I batch lesson planning?" You might be thinking, "Is it really possible to plan all my lessons for the month in just four hours?" Well, I'm here to tell you it is absolutely possible. In this episode, we're going to delve into the fascinating world of batch lesson planning and show you how to streamline your teaching preparation. So whether you're a seasoned pro or someone who often finds themselves scrambling on a Sunday night, I've got you covered. Check out the full blog post about this episode here. Sign up for the Reflect and Renew challenge right here. Grab your free ⁠⁠⁠Simplifying Lesson Planning guide.⁠⁠ Get your copy of ⁠⁠⁠⁠Make A Note: What You Really Need to Know About Teaching Elementary Music⁠⁠

In this episode, we have a special guest, Starr Loutsis, who is here to discuss the transformative power of sharing your personal story with your students. Music teachers often grapple with the question of how much of their own experiences to reveal to their students. We'll explore why sharing your story is essential, what aspects of your story to share, and how it can benefit both teachers and students. So, let's dive in! Starr Loutsis is an author and a business publisher at Aligning Purpose Publishing. She helps aspiring authors publish their books without the anxiety and the hassle. Read our blog about this episode here. Grab your free ⁠⁠⁠Simplifying Lesson Planning guide.⁠⁠ Sign up for⁠⁠⁠⁠ teacher coaching ⁠⁠⁠⁠or ⁠⁠⁠⁠business coaching⁠⁠⁠⁠ with Jessica. Find out more about the Curriculum Design Roadmap course ⁠⁠⁠here.⁠⁠⁠ Get your copy of ⁠⁠⁠⁠Make A Note: What You Really Need to Know About Teaching Elementary Music⁠⁠

Join Dr. Philip Tacka as he discusses effective questioning strategies in the music classroom. The podcast explores the importance of capturing what students hear, engaging young learners through movement and song, and the value of reading, writing, and improvisation. Discover innovative methods to deepen students' understanding of music.