Unlock Your Teaching Potential

Have a question for the show? Text us here!Hello, everyone! I know when you went into education, you had a passion for shaping young minds, creating community, and so much vision for how your work would impact this world. But sometimes those days can feel like they're behind you. Because today, there are so many stressors that leave you feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, and frustrated. And you might not even have anything left to give to the students that you care so much about. But I'm here to tell you that it doesn't have to be like this. In fact, the love of teaching never really went away. But it absolutely needs transformation. Welcome to The Take notes Podcast. I'm Jen Rafferty, former music teacher, mom of two, and Certified Emotional Intelligence Practitioner. I know you want to feel relaxed, abundant, and have time for yourself and the things you actually love to do. And I'm here to light the way for you. It's time to unlearn that toxic culture of selflessness in education and relearn that the most generous thing you can do for other people, is take care of yourself!So, in this podcast, you'll hear conversations that will help you reconnect with your purpose, create new boundaries, how to truly make generational change for our kids by shifting the paradigm away from the perpetual stress and overwhelm, and into a life of joy and fulfillment. We'll be covering topics like creating a juicy vision, emotional intelligence, financial and physical health, metacognition, conflict management, shifting your identity, and how to advocate for what you need. This is education 2.0, where you become a priority. Shift how you live your life, and how you show up both at home and at work. So, take a sip of steamy morning coffee, grab your notebook, it's time to take notesStay empowered,Jen Let’s keep the conversation going! Find me at:Click here to learn all the ways you can work with me: Jen Rafferty | Instagram, YouTube, Facebook | LinktreeInstagram: @jenrafferty_FaceBook: Empowered Educator Faculty Room Stay empowered,Jen Let’s keep the conversation going! Find me at: empowerededucator.com/resources Instagram: @jenrafferty_ Facebook: Empowered Educator Faculty Room

Have a question for the show? Text us here!Scott Sheehan is the current NAfME National President-Elect.A nationally recognized advocate and leader for the advancement of music education, Scott is the Director of Bands and Music Department Chairperson at the Hollidaysburg Area Senior High School in Hollidaysburg, PA. He was a finalist for the 2019 GRAMMY Music Educator Award and is an Educational Clinician for Conn-Selmer. Scott is also a consultant for strategic planning and association development. nafme.orgwebsite: jenrafferty.comFB & IG: @jenraffertymusicClubhouse: @jenraffertyCover Art: https://goodneighborart.com/Stay empowered,Jen Let’s keep the conversation going! Find me at: empowerededucator.com/resources Instagram: @jenrafferty_ Facebook: Empowered Educator Faculty Room

Have a question for the show? Text us here!On this week’s podcast I spoke with Abigail Blair and Kathryn Finch who are elementary school music teachers in the suburbs of Chicago and coauthors of Full Steam Ahead and Everyone Loves a Story, two books on transformational teaching strategies in your music classroom. By using student-centered techniques and the maker-space philosophy Abigail and Kathryn have created music classrooms that allow their students to take the lead in their own learning experiences. It was great to talk with them about how they created the BlairFinch project to keep pushing music education forward in new directions. blairfinchproject.wixsite.com/samrPonderingsfromafinch.comBuildingmusicalminds.comKathryn: @singingfinch1 twitter & instagramAbigail: @Abigailsblair  on twitter @musicwestmoore on instagramwebsite: jenrafferty.comFB & IG: @jenraffertymusicClubhouse: @jenraffertyCover Art: https://goodneighborart.com/Stay empowered,Jen Let’s keep the conversation going! Find me at: empowerededucator.com/resources Instagram: @jenrafferty_ Facebook: Empowered Educator Faculty Room

Have a question for the show? Text us here!On this week’s episode I talk with Randy Ward who started his career as a professional cello player for a number of orchestras throughout the southwest United States as well as and Washington Metropolitan Philharmonic. He earned his Masters degree in Music Pedagogy and began teaching in Fairfax County in Washington D.C. He is now working on his Ph.D. at George Mason University with a focus on classism in beginning instrumental repertoire. One of the most important takeaways for me from our conversation was about the moments of meaning in our teaching career. These moments are pivotal for us and shapes the way we move forward. We talk about Randy’s moment of meaning as well as the importance of both culturally responsive teaching and cultural competence.Randy Ward on LinkedInEmail randycello@gmail.comwebsite: jenrafferty.comFB & IG: @jenraffertymusicClubhouse: @jenraffertyCover Art: https://goodneighborart.com/Stay empowered,Jen Let’s keep the conversation going! Find me at: empowerededucator.com/resources Instagram: @jenrafferty_ Facebook: Empowered Educator Faculty Room

Have a question for the show? Text us here!David Knott is a professional percussionist, educational leadership advocate, and professional conductor. He currently serves as a member of the instrumental music faculty at the sweetest band gig on earth, where he coordinates and directs all Middle Division Band activities at Milton Hershey School in Hershey, Pa. In 2020 Mr. Knott joined the summer music faculty at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia where he developed and instructs a class on Tactical Integration of Trauma Informed and Social Emotional Learning Strategies for Music Education.Mr. Knott’s previous work experience also includes directing the percussion studio and teaching courses on Percussion for Music Education and Percussion for Music Therapy at Elizabethtown College and Messiah University.As a leadership advocate, he founded the Central Pennsylvania Wind Conductors Society, whose mission is to provide a forum to elevate individual music educators through mentoring, professional collaboration, and performance opportunities for student ensembles.Mr. Knott earned his Bachelor of Science in Music Education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and a Master of Music Degree in Percussion Performance from Michigan State University. He has also studied with Jack Stamp, John Whitwell and various workshop clinicians to gain extensive conducting background.You can connect with Mr. Knott on Twitter (dekconductor) and LinkedIn.dekconductor@gmail.com"Everything I do I believe will challenge the status quo, I believe in thinking differently. I put students first, placing them in a safe and rigorous environment and provide the tools to allow them to reach their fullest creative self. I just happen to use band instruments to get there. My mission in one word: #Elevate “website: jenrafferty.comFB & IG: @jenraffertymusicClubhouse: @jenraffertyCover Art: https://goodneighborart.com/Stay empowered,Jen Let’s keep the conversation going! Find me at: empowerededucator.com/resources Instagram: @jenrafferty_ Facebook: Empowered Educator Faculty Room

Have a question for the show? Text us here!Elizabeth Peterson has devoted her life to education and to reaching out to other teachers who want to remain inspired.  A former music teacher and current elementary general ed teacher, Elizabeth loves to bring artistic and creative experiences into her classroom.  An arts integration specialist, she is the host of www.theinspiredclassroom.com providing inspiration to other educators who know the value of arts in learning through informative articles, workshops and professional development opportunities. Elizabeth is the creator of SEAL, Social-Emotional Artistic Learning, a unique method of integrating the arts with SEL that empowers teachers to truly reach and teach their students.Mrs. Peterson has a BA in Music and a BS in Elementary Education.  She holds an M.Ed. in Education, “Arts and Learning” and a C.A.G.S. degree with a focus in “Arts, Leadership and Learning.”Elizabeth is the author of Inspired by Listening, a teacher resource book that includes a method of music integration she has developed and implemented into her own teaching, and Studio Days, a resource filled with information and Common Core aligned lesson plans for bringing creativity into the classroom. Elizabeth prides herself in teaching workshops and courses on the integration of the arts into the curriculum and is the host of the annual Summer and Winter Teacher Art Retreats.Elizabeth believes there is a love of active, integrated learning in all children and from their enthusiasm, teachers can shape great opportunities to learn.https://theinspiredclassroom.com/https://theinspiredclassroom.com/seal/IG: https://www.instagram.com/theinspiredclassroom/FB: https://www.facebook.com/theinspiredclassroomwebsite: jenrafferty.comFB & IG: @jenraffertymusicClubhouse: @jenraffertyCover Art: https://goodneighborart.com/Stay empowered,Jen Let’s keep the conversation going! Find me at: empowerededucator.com/resources Instagram: @jenrafferty_ Facebook: Empowered Educator Faculty Room

Have a question for the show? Text us here!Dr. Renee Duncan talks about methodologies, pedagogies and theories outside of music education to better inform how we teach music to our students. Dr.  Duncan holds a B.A. in Multi-Instrumental Performance, an M.A. in Music Education: K-12) from New York University, and Ed.D. in Music Education from Teachers College, Columbia University. With over a decade of teaching experience, Renee has taught in Australia for the Queensland Young Conservatorium of Music’s pre-college program and for the Queensland Department of Education as a 5th through 12th grade instrumental and general music teacher. Her primary areas of research are in K-12 instrumental and general music curriculum, instruction, and technology integration. She has also been an augmenting player for the Queensland Wind Orchestra on both clarinet and alto saxophone. Renee currently teaches middle school at Columbia Grammar and Preparatory School. Email: rduncan@cgps.orgIf you enjoyed this episode, subscribe and share with a friend!Have a question? Want to suggest a topic for the show? Email me at music@jenrafferty.comwebsite: jenrafferty.comFB & IG: @jenraffertymusicClubhouse: @jenraffertyCover Art: https://goodneighborart.com/Stay empowered,Jen Let’s keep the conversation going! Find me at: empowerededucator.com/resources Instagram: @jenrafferty_ Facebook: Empowered Educator Faculty Room

Have a question for the show? Text us here!Guy Michel is a marital artist and well-known professional cellist. He began his music career at the age of 5 in his native country, Haiti. He believes that music goes beyond Bach and Beethoven, or simply playing complex notes to showcase an individual’s talent. It is a form of self expression; A vehicle in which to awaken and stimulate the imagination and inspires others to discover it. He loves exploring new possibilities on the cello with a repertoire ranging from easy listening to Hip Hop and EDM...so cool!https://www.guymichelmusic.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/guymichelmusic/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/guymichelmusicYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/guymichelmusicTiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@guymichelmusic?lang=enIf you enjoyed this episode, subscribe and share with a friend!Have a question? Want to suggest a topic for the show? Email me at music@jenrafferty.comwebsite: jenrafferty.comFB & IG: @jenraffertymusicClubhouse: @jenraffertyCover Art: https://goodneighborart.com/Stay empowered,Jen Let’s keep the conversation going! Find me at: empowerededucator.com/resources Instagram: @jenrafferty_ Facebook: Empowered Educator Faculty Room

Have a question for the show? Text us here!Laurie Orth's book, Rocket Recorder: Volume One is an innovative music workbook for recorder students that combines the contrasting disciplines of music with space exploration (shifting STEM to STEAM). She currently teaches on her YouTube channel, Laurie Orth Music Teacher. Laurie also serves as the Vice President of Aerospace Education for the Savannah Air Force Association, is a Teacher Liaison for the Space Foundation and is a NASA Social Media Influencer...it's out of this world!https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7hD_CrMpfCUeXplmOp66MQhttps://www.laurieorth.com/Email: laurie@laurieorth.comhttps://www.facebook.com/LaurieOrthMusicEducatorClubhouse @lauriesteamIf you enjoyed this episode, subscribe and share with a friend!Have a question? Want to suggest a topic for the show? Email me at music@jenrafferty.comwebsite: jenrafferty.comFB & IG: @jenraffertymusicClubhouse: @jenraffertyCover Art: https://goodneighborart.com/Stay empowered,Jen Let’s keep the conversation going! Find me at: empowerededucator.com/resources Instagram: @jenrafferty_ Facebook: Empowered Educator Faculty Room

Have a question for the show? Text us here!Dr. Derrick Fox is the Director of Choral Activities and Assistant Professor of Music at the University of Nebraska-Omaha. He launched The Derrick Fox Choral Series with Music Spoke to publish works by and about marginalized people, & created the Diversity and Inclusion in Action workshop which focuses on outlining personal & systemic bias, methods that support varied lived experience, and actionable steps that support Diversity, Equity, Access, Inclusion & Belonging...so importanthttps://www.drderrickfox.com/If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe and share with a friend!Have a question? Want to suggest a topic for the show? Email me at music@jenrafferty.comwebsite: jenrafferty.comFB & IG: @jenraffertymusicClubhouse: @jenraffertyCover Art: https://goodneighborart.com/Stay empowered,Jen Let’s keep the conversation going! Find me at: empowerededucator.com/resources Instagram: @jenrafferty_ Facebook: Empowered Educator Faculty Room