I know many music teachers are in the trenches, feeling overwhelmed with the demands of the profession. Sometimes it’s nice to take a moment, breath, and remember exactly why we were drawn to this profession. I am teaming up with some amazing music education bloggers this week on a series called #whyiteachmusic. We’re all sharing why we love what we do and hosting a giveaway as well, because, who doesn’t like free stuff?
Teaching Chose Me
I can tell you with all honesty, I did not choose teaching. It chose me. I always loved working with children, but I also loved music. I loved playing, practicing, and performing on my flute. My undergraduate degree was in flute performance. My senior year, I took a class called Early Childhood Music. All my friends took the class their junior year and every one of them loved it. “Go sing with the babies!” “It’s the best class ever!” So I enrolled in the class to fulfill the final 3 credit of my degree. It changed my life forever.
Every Child Is Musical
In that one little class, I learned that every child is musical. Every child has an aptitude for music. There isn’t a person alive without the capacity to learn music. I learned that every child can sing, chant, move, and play, but it was up to me find that access point in the child and move them forward. What I learned in that early childhood music class never left me. It was such a powerful experience that instead of going to graduate school for flute performance, I went to school to get my teacher certification.
Twenty-one years later, I’m still using everything I learned in that class each and every day. Every child that enters my room has the potential to learn music. I simply have to find their access point.
That One Thing
I love finding that one thing a child loves musically, and helping them to grow and see themselves as musicians. The best thing is that I get to champion children who may be lost in the shuffle. The child who struggles in the classroom is the best drummer in my class. The child who is the outlier in her classroom shines as a singer in my class. The disabled child who is non-verbal hums along to every tune in my class. Every child has music aptitude. Every child has music in them and I get to bear witness to that development each and every day. Why I teach music? Because it chose me and I cannot do anything else.
So want to win some amazing prices? Enter our giveaway! Here’s what you need to do:
- Comment on my blog post!
- Share your inspiration on social media using #whyiteachmusic
- Share my blog post with your friends on social media so they can enter too!
- Share every day until Monday, November 21st
Every blogger is giving away a different prize. You can win a copy of my Differentiated Recorder Bundle! It’s a fantastic resource to help every student in your room!
Make sure to enter the giveaway below! And leave me a comment! Good luck!
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I believe this so strongly myself! I've always made it a point to ask students, "what is your favorite way to do music?". Everyone has some way they can fully engage with music, and once they find it, the whole musical world opens up! Thank you so much for sharing your #whyiteachmusic . The Recorder resource looks amazing- I'm excited about this giveaway!
I love your comments about how the children who struggle in the classroom emd up being the best drummers or singers. Music is so very powerful! Great post!!
I love how those kids who struggle in their regular classes often have so much potential in music!
I have used my early childhood training throughout my teaching, also. I haven't been brave enough to start a class for mommies and kids, but I use the strategies in my primary classes. Thanks for sharing your story!
I'm always heartened by the stories I hear of how people find their callings in life! Thanks for sharing.
Absolutely! I really believe it's my responsibility to help each child find their voice in music!
Thanks so much Aimee! I love advocating for my kids who so often struggle in other areas. We all need a champion!
Isn't that the truth Linda? We have to advocate for those kids in other academic areas. Every child deserves to shine!
I think the strategies used in early childhood music are essential for building a strong musical foundation for our lower elementary students! I love seeing my Kindergartners and first grade develop into musicians in front of me! 🙂
I also think it's great to read that there are many avenues to finding your passion – just like you!
For the past few years I have taught in schools where a high percentage of the population is learning English as an additional language. I love how the repetition of songs and chants gives language learners a chance to engage with the English language.
One class in particular became attached to Yellow Submarine, and sang it all day (I'm still not sure if they all knew what a submarine was, but they sang with gusto all day according to their classroom teachers)
I love hearing about students that continue our classroom work on the playground and at home! Frequently, my strongest musicians are the ones that struggle in other rooms. The movement and the music clicks with their brains and the music room becomes a highlight of their day!
I just love children and making music, so this has been a welcome career choice for me!
I always knew I'd be a teacher, then I discovered making music… I'm so grateful to have a career that I love!
I definitely agree with teaching chose me! I wanted to be a broadway star but fell in love with elementary music. I love seeing The lightbulb that goes on in their eyes when they master a new concept. My kiddos feel so proud and accomplished when they do something they could not do before
I've always felt the pull to teaching…started teaching my pre-K brother to read every day when I came home from school (as a 2nd grader). It was in high school that I started thinking seriously about elementary music (or teaching private music lessons). I teach with a goal to reach…students who are looking to find their voice, who can discover their unique potential and value, who can find the joy of music and who can realize their creativity.
[I've had your Differentiated Recorder file on my wishlist for a long time! It looks fantastic.]