My Personal Philosophy Statement

Improvisation, pattern recognition, and a developing sense of pulse, tempo, and

pitch are all abilities that students gain from music education. As a music educator,
it is my responsibility to continually support these and many more reasons to
promote music education. My job as an educator is first and foremost to meet my
students where they are. I am also responsible for setting the standard for my
students and developing goals for them to aim for and achieve.

I strive to set a standard for myself before I set one for my students. So each week,
I have my lesson plans ready to go. Having a set weekly schedule helps to provide
stability for my students where they otherwise might lack it. In helping my students
set goals for themselves each week, month, and year, I aim to facilitate in them the
skills necessary to achieve all of their goals while they are in my classroom, and
outside of it in the real world. The absolute end goal is to bring my students to a
point in their career as a lifelong learner where they no longer need me to guide
them through their goals. I am always teaching toward the day when my students
surpass me; when I can learn something from them.

I always want to help my students learn in the environment best fit for them. Every
child is different and learns at a different rate than their peers might. Each child has
a different attention span, retention memory, and skillset. This is why I always aim
to meet my students where they are. I will always do what I can to provide excess
materials, music, and instruments for all of my students, absolutely free of cost. I
also aim to devote equal resources and time to my students individually, in
sections, and as a whole depending on which areas need more work. Meeting my
students where they are intellectually should always be matched with the goal to
still be able to challenge them. I always try to end a lesson by tying together
multiple concepts that we have learned over the past week or month before we
move on to the next concept.

Making music can be a sensitive activity when students expose themselves through
their music making. This is why I provide a safe, comfortable learning atmosphere
in which all of my students can grow. I seek to provide an atmosphere of
 inclusivity and approachability for anyone who enters my classroom. Clear
communication and set goals and standards help my students to know what I
expect, and for me to understand what my students expect from me as a teacher.

My job as an educator is first and foremost to meet my students where they are,
provide a safe atmosphere in which they can learn, and facilitate them to be
lifelong learners. I also strive to teach them the advantages of music in their lives,
both musical and nonmusical.

“Music expresses that which cannot be said and on which it is impossible to be

silent."
- Victor Hugo