Philosophy of Education

Abbigayle Quinn

Northern State University

EDFN 338: Foundations of American Education

 As an educator, I believe that I have one of the largest responsibilities of anyone in the

world. I have the privilege to help shape young minds. These minds will be our future. I believe

that teaching is a way in which I can serve others and my community.

I believe that every student has a capacity to learn, and that every student has a capacity

for music. According to Music Learning Theory, developed by Dr. Edwin Gordon (2022),

“Musical ability is often viewed in all-or-none terms: some are blessed with “talent,” others must

do without. Recent research, however, reveals that music aptitude, like all human characteristics,

is normally distributed in the population. All persons have the potential to achieve in music.”

(GIML, 2022) All students do not learn the same, but can learn effectively in their own ways,

utilizing different methodologies and strategies. It is up to me to create conditions in which

everyone can learn.

I believe in using elements of multiple different music methods/approaches to reach

every student. Some of the main approaches include Orff, Kodaly, Dalcroze, and Gordon.

Different strategies within these methods can be used with all different age groups, from

kindergarten to high school and beyond. For example, Kodaly expresses the importance of

singing, as everyone has a voice that they can share.

I aim to set high expectations for each student that steps into my classroom. It is

important to convey confidence in your students. This is only if one believes every student has a

high capacity to learn. In believing that each student has a high capacity for learning, I also

believe that no two students learn the exact same way. Expectations should be differentiated for

each student. If a teacher sets low expectations, that is will they will achieve. They rarely will go

above and beyond to achieve something more. Setting high expectations gives them something to
reach for, something to grow towards. Setting high expectations tells your students that you

believe in them and believe that they can achieve their best version of themselves.

I believe that one of the most important things that an educator can do is create a safe,

welcoming classroom environment. I will do this in multiple different ways. First, I will build

positive relationships with my students. I will get to know them, engage with their community

and family, and model as much empathy as possible. Students will be affirmed if they are doing

something correctly and well. This doesn’t have to be extensive, but a quick “well done” or

reassurance can make all the difference. I will also make it my personal mission to encourage

learning opportunities. Mistakes are not negative. They are teachable moments. We can learn

from every mistake that we make. My college choir once told me if you make a mistake, “make

it loud and make it proud”, that way we had the ability to learn and fix it. I will also set specific

rules and expectations for my learning environment! Structure provides a sense of stability and

safety. I want to ensure that my students feel safe and encouraged to take risks and express

themselves as individuals.

I believe that the diversity of all students should be celebrated and honored. Our

students come from all walks of life. Culture can take all sorts of forms: arts, religions, music,

food, clothing, etc. Whether students are diverse in race, religious affiliation, sexual orientation,

gender, or anything else, they deserve our utmost love and care. Every student should feel

welcomed and appreciated. There are many ways, especially in music, that we can utilize

resources around us to cater to all our students and their cultural backgrounds. No student should

feel that they are alienated by their cultural backgrounds.

So much more can be learned in a music classroom other than music. Dr. Bridget Sweet

(2016) in her book Growing Musicians, states that “character development is as important as
music development” (p. 145) I believe that music enriches lives. It is a universal language and

can bridge gaps between cultures. Music has the capability to provide opportunities for

connection. Music can connect to different moods, emotions and feelings, this can be absolutely

crucial in a social emotional learning-centered environment. According to the National

Association for Music Education, “Students of music can be more emotionally developed, with

empathy towards other cultures They also tend to have higher self-esteem and are better at

coping with anxiety.” (NAfME, 2014) Music can also be extremely effective in teaching

discipline and grit. For students to improve and get better, they have to engage in daily practice

and exercising of their own skill. There are so many other ways that music classrooms can

benefit students. I will make sure to inform my students, parents, and other members of the

community of these benefits and consistently be a reinforcer of them.

Most importantly, my goal as a music educator is to be an open-minded and adaptive

educator who develops musicians, life-long appreciators of music, and kind and compassionate

stewards of good citizenship. Overall, as a teacher, I want my students to be good human beings.

I will push my students to achieve and be good examples of all different kinds of character,

whether it be fairness, trustworthiness, responsibility, ability to care, respect or anything else that

makes them a better-rounded human being. Educators have the biggest job in the world, and I

believe the most important job in the world. Being an educator is a privilege and it should always

be treated as such.
 Works Cited

The Gordon Institute for Music Learning. (2022). Music Aptitude. GIML. Retrieved from
https://giml.org/mlt/aptitude/

National Association for Music Education . (2014, July 21). Important benefits of music in our
schools. National Association for Music Education (NAfME). Retrieved from
https://nafme.org/important-benefits-of-music-in-our-schools/

Sweet, B. (2016). Growing musicians teaching music in Middle School and beyond. Oxford
University Press.