Philosophy to Rock

As a pragmatist, I realize that music education is not merely to entertain aesthetic purposes. I am more interested in assuring our community and educational institution that my students will be likely to have music as a driving force which will carry out throughout their lifetime and will transfer to other facets of their life in positive ways. My objectives as a music educator are: 1) to give students an opportunity to be successful in life through the expression of music, 2) to insure that the classroom environment is both safe and conducive to critical thinking amid varied learning styles, 3) to build upon each student’s prior knowledge base in an individual way, and 4) to allow students to discover facts for
themselves rather than simply repeating what I have instructed them to say.

As a behaviorist, I will insure that my classroom is inviting to discussion as well as a healthy display of order. Oftentimes, discussions may seem a bit chaotic in the work of Lucy Green entitled Informal Learning, and the School: a new classroom pedagogy (2008). However, these very times, when a teacher drops his or her inhibitions and allows the students to creatively solve problems, can be some of
the most rewarding times for both teacher as well as the student(s) involved.

I believe that the effective teacher is one who is eager to use new ideas in formatting the lesson plan from day to day. Evaluation and research are part of a lifelong quest for excellence in teaching. I am happy to work with my peers in professional conferences and daily interaction in order to afford my students with the most technologically-cutting edge education that they could possibly have.

In conclusion, I believe that a lifetime of music can be had if one is able to learn a disposition toward music-making, has times in his or her education to be acculturated in music and acquiring listening skills, is treated with value, and is respected for the music which they produce as an individual. The best way to assure that a musician can thrive is to allow that musician the freedom to do so within a certain framework or structure. Most of all, this process requires educators who are willing to learn of their students at a one-on-one approach within the context of a music classroom or studio.