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
Leonard, Mark. (2004). The qualities that make some directors outstanding.
The Instrumnetalist, (August), Pages 13-15.
When educators get their first teaching job out of college, they probably don’t really know what to expect. It can take a lot of time and practice to develop the skills that teachers use every day. Mark Leonard is a new music teacher who discusses some of the challenges he and others have faced in their first few years of teaching. He gives several suggestions that can make the job a lot easier. Teachers should remember to set limits, get to know their students, learn to deal with parents, delegate authority, be prepared, and have a plan.
The job of a music teacher can be very busy and stressful. With all the tasks and preparations that need to be done, one can easily get overwhelmed. Having students and parents to help with these tasks can make a huge difference. I know it can be easy to forget why one would enter the challenging and exciting field of music education. It is important to be prepared for what is coming to avoid these doubts that may occur. No one starts off as a perfect teacher; as with everything it requires hard work.
I think all of the teaching skills leonard discusses are very important for every teacher to strive for. I think the best advice I have heard thus far in my career, is to let others help me with tasks. I could see myself easily getting overwhelmed and stressing over the millions of things I will have to do. I also sometimes forget that as a teacher, you must also deal with parents. Leonard has definitely made me think about ways I can prepare for handling issues that the parents may bring to me. Overall, I think this article was very insightful and a good look into the future of my career.
Great comments here! In looking at your second paragraph, you have some great statements. Can you think of an example in your past experiences where you have seen these qualities played out? Did your school's music program have a parent organization? How about student helpers in the classroom? Being able to relate these ideas to what you have seen in your experiences, and how it has helped or hindered, can greatly affect your thoughts on the authors statements.
ReplyDeleteGreat succinct and yet detailed writing here.