ELEMENTARY CLASSROOM...
Sharing Advice: Advice From a Veteran Vanessa Miner, MMEA Elementary/Elementary Vice-president
I’d like to take credit for my best teaching ideas. But I can’t. Some of the best teaching ideas I have had come from other music teachers. My best advice is to listen to other music teachers. Go to their concerts. Listen to their stories. Attend their clinics. Surround yourself with people who fill you up.
A music teacher that has inspired me for many years is Rene’ Spencer, who currently teaches in the Mount Vernon School District. Through her kindness, sweet spirit, Rene’ graciously agreed to give her best advice for the beginning of the year. Renee has many years of teaching experience from elementary through high school and college.
Advice From a Veteran by René Spencer
When Vanessa asked me to contribute with advice to young teachers or those that may need to recharge their batteries, I began reflecting on my career as a music educator. What ARE some of the things that really helped me in my teaching? Why do I still love teaching? My advice is pretty stock information that many would give, but reflects some of the reasons that I still LOVE teaching. (1) Find a mentor or group of teachers that are positive and encouraging. Avoid the teachers’ “lounge” where teachers are more likely to gather and complain. Dur- ing my years of teaching in Miller, a group of kind, up- beat teachers chose to men-
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tor me. They encouraged me, applauded me public- ly, corrected me privately, let me bounce ideas off of them, answered questions about policy and helped me problem-solve. They were, and are, dear friends that I will forever hold close to my heart.
(2) Take classes! One of my better decisions came when I suggested to my student teacher that she take class- es in her area of teaching and then offered to go with her. After I went home and discussed it with my hus- band, who supported my desire to take classes,
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took Kodaly levels courses and never looked back. By taking classes in my cho- sen field, I recharged my teaching, gained new skills, and viewed my classroom through a different per- spective. Those classes im- proved my classroom man- agement, increased the enthusiasm and skills of my students and streamlined my lesson planning skills.
(3) Have a simple, but consis- tent classroom manage- ment plan. Mine includes five simple rules (every- thing under the sun seems to fall under them.) 1. Lis- ten. 2. Follow Directions. 3. Do your best. 4. Be kind. 5. Have fun! I have learned that kids love music class when they listen, follow directions (the first time), put effort into learning,
and treat others kindly and respectfully. Have simple, natural consequences, and rewards that include enjoy- able, appropriate on-task activities and games.
(4) Don’t waste time on non- educational games in class. We don’t get nearly enough time with our students to squander our time. Games are great, as long as they support learning in the classroom.
(5) Find an enjoyable activity that you love. Paint, bike, sing or play in an ensemble, be a “soccer mom”, become active in your church. This is an area where I have often fallen short. My tendency is to work, work, work, and take my children to activi- ties and performances. I am learning, as my daugh- ters are growing up, that it is time for me to pick up those hobbies and pas- sions. Those activities work well to relieve stress from our daily routines.
(6) Smile. Say encouraging words to others. Put oth- ers’ needs before your own when possible, but don’t neglect yourself. Love un- conditionally. Does that sound a bit like the Golden
MISSOURI SCHOOL MUSIC
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