The Elementary Music Teacher Podcast: Music Education

Have you felt stuck or supported as a music teacher? In this episode, I brought in Taylor Middleton to talk about her journey as a music teacher and how she's found the support she needs.  What you need won't look the same as any other music teacher and it's important to identify what that looks like for you.  As you listen in today, you'll hear Taylor talk about what has worked for you...

In this episode, you'll hear from 15 music teachers who all have different stories to share.  That's what so cool about meeting elementary music teachers... everyone's story is different.  You'll hear what struggles each teacher faced and what they've gotten from being in the HARMONY membership.  While listening in, you'll be able to connect with a story you hear.  Come to the...

Do you view professional development as only earning PD hours and enough credits just to get by?  What if I told you it was about so much more than that.  In this episode, let's talk about how you can reframe the way you view professional development and what my favorite way to do that is.  Read the blog post that goes hand in hand with this episode right here. Come to the "Back to...

Planning out the first month of school can seem a little daunting.  There are so many decisions to make and things to think about before you teach a single lesson.  In this episode, I'll break down the "how to" behind planning for back to school and will walk you through some deciding factors to consider while you're making your plans.  Come to the "Back to School Planning Workshop"...

You’ve probably accumulated so many lesson plans from different workshops, trainings, levels courses, friends, and resources.  It gets so overwhelming knowing what to do with each lesson plan and how to find what you need when you plan each week. Today, I want to talk about a simple way to keep your lesson plans organized. Want to take a deeper dive into this topic? Register for the "Organizi...

Determining how to structure your class time in the music room can be tricky.  You see your students on average for 45 minutes once a week and want to use your time wisely with each class that comes into your in person or virtual music room.  In this episode, we'll talk about how to structure what happens in the music room so the time you see your students is used efficiently and effecti...

Did you learn in college that classroom management was only about the rules and about being strict?  Yeah, me too... But, classroom management is about SO much more than that.  In fact, forming relationships is the KEY to classroom management.  In this episode, I'll be talking about what classroom management is and isn't to help you move forward with making a plan that works for you...

So, now that the school year is over, what do you do now?  You’re probably thinking… umm Jessica, absolutely nothing is the answer to that...right?  In this episode, we'll talk about how the most important thing you can do is to take a break and then do something fun before you even begin to think about going back to school.  Then, begin to process through last school year and what...

Maybe you're teaching music full time, but you've had the desire or passion to pursue something else as a side hustle too.  Thinking about doing this can be intimidating and overwhelming.  There are a lot of questions to think about like, "what would I pursue" or "but there are already so many people doing what I want to do."   The thing is that there is only one you.  So, that...

Have you had thoughts about quitting teaching?  What do you do with these thoughts and how do you move past them?  In this episode, we'll talk about not only identifying where these thoughts are coming from, but what you need to do in order to keep moving forward in your teaching career. Links mentioned in this episode: "Make A Note: What You Really Need To Know About Teaching Elementary...

The end of the school year is inching closer and closer and up goes the energy of your students.  Maybe you have guilt about what you haven't done or what you should've done, but haven't really taken the time to appreciate the fact that you've almost taught an ENTIRE school year during a Pandemic. In this episode, I'll address some mindset stuff you may be feeling, but will also share some pr...

Self care is more than a buzzword.  So many times, we hear phrases like "just take care of yourself" or "find the one thing that works for you" or even "pencil in time to get that pedicure." But, self care isn't the same as self soothing.  In fact, it's about the daily, mundane, and boring stuff that will help you to feel better every single day that matters.  In this episode, Beth...

No two schools are the same.  The way you teach at one school won’t be the same as the way you present the same exact lesson at another school. Funding is different, relationship building is so important, you'll need to adjust and adapt what you do a lot, some of your students are dealing with a lot, and you won't have as many resources to work with at times.   In this episode, you'...

The word inclusive means, "aiming to provide equal access to opportunities and resources for people who might otherwise be excluded or marginalized, such as those having physical or mental disabilities or belonging to other minority groups."  Every student can and should have the opportunity to receive a quality music education.  There are not ifs, ands, or buts about it.  Unfortuna...

In today's episode, Casey Hall came on the podcast to talk about culturally relevant music education.   We discuss:  what culturally relevant music education is why it's so important why forming relationships with your students is so important understanding the culture of your students researching what music your students like Mr. Casey Hall is a Fine Arts Education Program Specialist at...

Implementing instructional software in elementary music can be a bit tricky or even overwhelming.  In this podcast episode, I share 3 ways you can easily do this with with your students. I'll discuss: Drill and practice Tutorials Simulations Read the blog post that goes hand in hand with this episode right here.   Find out more about and sign up for the HARMONY membership waitlist here....

I'm so excited for you to listen in to this episode with Eric Young.  We talk a lot about how to connect elementary music to secondary music and why it's important for it to be a seamless transition for students.  But, Eric also talks about his love for Orff Schulwerk and how it easily transfers to what he does in secondary music as well as what technology he has used with his students a...

A formal music education is so important.  But, it's not the end all be all to learning.  It’s not that having a music degree doesn’t matter, because it does. It just means that although you have your degree, never stop learning from others, growing as a music educator, thinking outside of the box, and not staying stuck in your ways.  In this episode, I talk about what a formal musi...

In this episode, Lori Burke and I discuss her story as a songwriter and how you can help your students write songs with ease.  She gives so many actionable steps including choosing a topic, using music to write a story, changing up the words to a familiar melody, and so much more.  We also discuss the importance of music education and music teachers and how music can be used as a tool in...

This episode is an interview with JoEllyn Sumner of The Tuneful Teacher.  She, like a lot of you, shifted to virtual teaching both as an elementary music teacher and in her parent child music classes.  We talk about how parents and teachers are looking for creative ideas to do with their children while you're at home more than you usually are.  JoEllyn stresses the importance that p...

It’s March which means it’s officially music in our schools month!  Your students may have heard you mention this, but aren’t quite sure what exactly it means.  First of all, talk about why music in our schools month exists.  Of course you’re teaching music all year long and not just the month of March.  The first National Music in our schools month occurred in 1973 in New York...

Advocating for your music program can come in many different forms.  In this conversation with Rainy Barton, we discuss ways to advocate for yourself with your administration, the families of your students, and in the community.  You'll hear so many awesome tips and get some new ideas that you can begin trying right away.  Rainy Barton graduated from the University of Florida with a...

This episode is with the amazing Katie Wonderly of Ms. Wonderly Makes Music.  I LOVED this conversation and we talked about so much including using technology, teaching during a Pandemic, how to use social media while still being you, and letting go of imposter syndrome.  Katie is so real and authentic and this episode will feel like you're a part of a conversation with a friend.  T...

February is Black History Month and celebrating the amazing black musicians, musical artists, and styles of music from black culture is so important.  But, celebrating black history all school year long is equally important and in this episode we'll talk about why. Consider these questions throughout the school year in your music room: What do you have posted on your walls? What books are you...

In this episode, I give you ways to talk to your family and friends about what you REALLY do as a music educator and how to explain to them why you need their support now more than ever including:  Explain what you do  Tell them why you’re tired  Show them a sample lesson you’ve recorded  Be proud of yourself and share your work  Tell them it’s changed so much since they w...