Rebecca Negro

Teaching Philosophy

Last Edited Fall 2023

As a music educator, I find that there is importance in prioritizing the growth in my

students rather than my own benefit. I continually strive to provide students what they need to

succeed, putting my own pride aside. My mission is to create an environment that is inviting,

creative, engaging, and professional, so that my students feel as though they are in a safe space

for them to grow and learn. Whether or not my students choose to continue music after they take

my class, they will be able to feel a sense of belonging and gain a joy for music in some way.

Education is important because it gives young students knowledge that they can use in

their future endeavors, no matter what they are. Education can build upon the interests of

students and create new experiences for them to grow and develop in their careers and as people.

As an educator, I create those experiences in my music classroom by exposing my students to

music of different cultures and genres to build up their musical knowledge. This is important

because music is more than just what we see within our own bounds. Educating students on

music from other cultures is valuable and important to their musical education and beyond.

I also continue to grow in many areas in my own teaching. I value seeking resources and

workshops to continue to grow me as an educator. The times change, and so must my teaching

style. I strive to accommodate the students in every step of my career, regardless of any kinds of

circumstances.

My classroom environment is structured, inviting, and professional. Structure enforces a

sense of similarity in procedures each day and creates patterns of discipline throughout the

course of the year. The environment is inviting because students should feel the freedom to
express themselves, contribute their own ideas, and be the best version of themselves that they

can be. My students feel like they can be who they are, but still have discipline and good

behavior in class. The professionalism instilled in my classroom encourages my students to think

towards their future and develop etiquette and professionalism that will benefit them in their

endeavors inside and outside my classroom.

Music is important because it is all around us in our daily lives. Music is an art form, and

a way for people to express themselves when sometimes, they do not know how. Exposure to the

art should create intrigue for us to learn more. As a music educator, I strive to make sure that my

students love music, so much so that they will want to know more. I emphasize these things in

my classroom because music is a subject matter that is completely different from the common

core. It is a form of expressive art that students can show creativity and emotion that the common

core does not provide. My classroom makes that difference clear, so that students feel freer to be

expressive in a different way.

My classroom environment will be structured, inviting, and professional. Structure

enforces a sense of similarity in procedures each day and creates patterns of discipline

throughout the course of the year. The environment will be inviting because students should feel

the freedom to express themselves, contribute their own ideas, and be the best version of

themselves that they can be. My students should feel like they can be who they are, but still have

discipline and good behavior in class. The professionalism instilled in my classroom will

encourage my students to think towards their future and develop etiquette and professionalism

that will benefit them in their endeavors inside and outside my classroom.

I am sure to make my classroom an inclusive classroom. I respect all my students, no

matter their race, gender identity, sexual orientation economic status, or religious beliefs. I am
dedicated to making any student who walks through my classroom doors feel included, loved,

and sought-after. If anyone leaves my classroom feeling left out, unheard, or disrespected, it is

evident that I am not doing my job well. No matter who my students are, I am dedicated to

meeting their needs in any way that I possibly can.

In short, I strive to provide the most quality education possible for my students and also

provide them opportunities outside the classroom to learn and grow in their own musical

journey.
Heidingsfelder, Lauren. “The Slogan of the Century: ‘Music for Every Child; Every Child for

Music.’” Music Educators Journal 100, no. 4 (2014): 47–51.

http://www.jstor.org/stable/43288870.

Higgins, Kathleen M. “Connecting Music to Ethics.” College Music Symposium 58, no. 3 (2018):

1–20.

https://www.jstor.org/stable/26608534.

Shuler, Scott C. “Music Education for Life: Five Guiding Principles for Music

Education.” Music Educators Journal 97, no. 3 (2011): 7–9.

http://www.jstor.org/stable/23012573.