Kim (Cowell) Warger Elementary/Early Childhood Vice-preident


Lifelong Learning is a Mindset


Sitting down to write this article forced me to realize that we are now looking at only three months left in the school year. I find myself asking “Am I accomplishing what I need to with my students this year? Are my students learning from me and am I learning from them? Am I personally invested in my students learning? Am I personally invested in my learning?” When I reflect on each of these questions I am reminded that the teaching profession keeps my brain young. Although my body may not feel young on many days, my brain continues to learn new things all the time. Just like my students I am on a journey as a lifelong learner. Teaching is a job that encourages us to grow because to do it well requires our own continuous education. (Wolpert-Gawron, 2009, p.1)


Scott Hayden says, “Teachers should have three loves: love of learning, love of learners, and the love of bringing the first two loves together.” Modeling our love of learning to our students only encourages them to become lifelong learners. Continuing to hone our craft keeps us on the cutting edge of our profession. After all, don’t you want a doctor or attorney who is knowledgeable in the latest medicine or law practices? Our students deserve the same from us in the music classroom.


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The most obvious example of a lifelong learner these days is the teacher who embraces technology in the classroom. How many of us started our teaching career without a single computer? According to Gerard Fischer, director of the Center for LifeLong Learning & Design at the University of Colorado Boulder, the pace of the 21st century is “so fast that technologies and skills to use them become obsolete within 5-10 years.” Once we become comfortable with the newest technology something new is beginning to replace it. Those teachers that adopt a lifelong learning mindset are not intimidated by technology in their classrooms. They are willing to learn about technology from their students and fellow teachers and adapt their teaching practices to meet the demands of their 21st century students. The bottom line: Being prepared to teach in the 21st century automatically equates to being a lifelong learner in the 21st century. (Edudemic Staff, 2015, p.1)


I challenge each of us to be lifelong learners. A good teacher continues to be a student. This could mean you continue to be a student in a graduate class or maybe you will think outside the box and investigate teacher- training opportunities often available during the summer


months. Consider one of several opportunities available to music educators. • Orff-Schulwerk Teacher Training - http://aosa.org/ professional-development


• Kodály Teacher Certification - http://www.oake.org/ education-programs/


• World Music Drumming - http://www. worldmusicdrumming.com


• NAfME’s Teaching Guitar Workshops - http://www. guitaredunet.org/


If you are not able to attend one of these professional development opportunities, find a local Kodály or Orff Chapter. Workshops are offered year round and give educators learning opportunities with master teachers from around the country. Missouri is fortunate enough to have three Kodály chapters located in Kansas City, St. Louis and Springfield. We have two Orff chapters located in Kansas City and St. Louis. You do not need to be a member to attend workshops and these workshops are sure to provide development far beyond what is often offered within our schools and districts for music educators.


We are also very fortunate to have a state music organization that provides excellent professional development for members. MMEA


MISSOURI SCHOOL MUSIC | Volume 71, Number 3


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