MUSIC 23241: MUSIC TEACHING AS A PROFESSION
Mr. Marcus L. Neiman, Assistant Professor
Kent State University School of Music
Fall, 2011
CRN: 200910 – Section number: 001 – Class Days: TR 7:45a – 8:35 am - Classroom: SOM E202
Office: Band Office - 330.672.2965 - Telephone: 330.672.2965 (Kent Campus) - E-mail: mneiman@kent.edu
Office Hours: TR 9:00 – 9:55 am (Additional hours available by appointment)
BlackBoard and Text Readings
Submitted by: Emily Young
Submitted for: Mr. Marcus L. Neiman, lecturer
Date: September 15, 2011
Kantorski, Vincent J. Some characteristics of excellent teachers.
Triad, Pages 40-43.
We have all had good and bad teachers, but what are the qualities that make a teacher excellent? Dr. Vincent J. Kantorski’s article in Triad magazine shows that there are many different qualities that some of the best teachers possess. These qualities include things such as eye contact, knowledge of their field, organization, enthusiasm, love of children, challenges students, and having a sense of humor. Some of the smallest things can make a huge difference in the life of a child. Being an excellent teacher doesn’t always come naturally, so teachers must practice these skills every single day.
It is difficult to find a great teacher who possesses all of these qualities. No two teachers are quite the same; all have different ideas and teaching styles. It is the teacher who sets the atmosphere and mood for the entire classroom. Excellent teachers most definitely make for excellent students. I know that teachers can sometimes struggle with finding the right balance of teaching their students well, while also creating a healthy relationship with their students. If the teacher is successful, the students will leave their class with more knowledge than they expected to have.
In my opinion, enthusiasm is the most important quality in a good teacher and it is something I, personally, strive for every day. You can’t expect your students to appreciate what you are doing if they don’t see that you appreciate it. Teachers must remember that the students are watching them all the time and see every little thing that they do. I agree with all the other qualities Kantorski described as well. Being an educator is a huge responsibility that should not be taken lightly.
Again more great comments here.
ReplyDeleteSee comments on the Leonard article about the second paragraph. While you make some great comments, it would be good if you could expand those to include specific examples that you can think of in your musical experiences. For example, you mentioned that no two teachers are the same, and some teachers do not possess all the qualities Kantorski mentions. Did you have a teacher, music or otherwise, that did not possess all of those? How did that affect you and your classmates?
Having specific examples like this and how they affected you and those around you will only serve to strengthen your arguments and the points you make here.