Student Teaching Essay

I have had the dream of becoming a music teacher since I was in the fourth grade.
I of course had no idea what being a music educator really meant at that time, nor do I
now fully know what being a music teacher is. I have had various experiences that have
shaped my ideals of the music education world, but I am still learning.
While I was in high school I tried to be in every music ensemble possible, I was a
member of: The Greater Miami youth Symphony Orchestra, The Hamilton high school
Symphony Orchestra, Chamber orchestra, Marching Band, Jazz Band, The Concert band,
pep band, The Indoor Marching Percussion Ensemble, and Show choir. I played the cello
(which is my main instrument,) the trumpet, the French horn, the Bass guitar, and the
piano while in high school. Having been in all of these ensembles gives me a perspective
that not many music students or educators get to have and that is being involved in
multiple music fields.
Throughout my time at Miami University I have had various field experiences
where I have observed and taught in many different grade levels. This has given me the
opportunity to observe and experiment with many different teaching styles.
Currently, I am teaching in the Hamilton city school district: private cello lessons,
and the front ensemble of the Indoor Marching Percussion ensemble. What I have
learned while teaching these students is not something that can be taught in a college
classroom, it is experience. Experience in my opinion is one of the most valuable things
you can have in the music education world. While in my last stretch of time at Miami
University I am going to soak up the most experience that I can, hopefully most of which
will come from student teaching.
One of the most memorable learning experiences I have had while at Miami was
going to The OMEA conference. This conference is wonderful because it is full of
information. They have seminars ranging from world music, to electronic music, and
everything in between. While being there I got to socialize with other music educators
and learn from their years of teaching experience. I look forward to working daily with a
music educator and learning from them in a more direct manner.
I have always had a strong work ethic, because I have had a job since I was
fourteen years old. All of these years of work experience have given me a stronger idea
of what making a career truly means. I will not be surprised of how much work it takes
to teach a class, or how much time is spent outside of the classroom planning for each
class.
I am a strong candidate for student teaching because of the experiences that life
has handed me. I have always been mature for my age; I am constantly planning,
preparing, and hoping for a brighter future. Because of these traits I am constantly
thinking about how things will affect me and I know that his student teaching experience
will be something that affects the rest of my life so I am ready to make the most of it.