If you’re as pumped as I am about organization, then you’re in for a treat. You know I’m all about sharing my tips on staying organized in the chaos of life, lesson planning, and teaching. And today, in this blog post and on episode 271, we’re diving into a game-changer: the power of brain dumping. Now, if you’re scratching your head, wondering, “What on earth is a brain dump?” Fear not! I was in your shoes until I realized it’s not just my quirky phrase; it’s a legit thing, backed by countless blog posts. So, let’s demystify this and explore why brain dumping is your new secret weapon for sta ..read more

On episode 270 of The Elementary Music Teacher Podcast, I have an awesome conversation with the talented Emi Ferguson. We dive into the topic of inspiring the next generation of composers in your classroom. Teachers, you’re in for a treat – this conversation is filled with valuable insights to bring back to your students. Emi Ferguson shares her journey as a musician, from being a trained flute player to composing and singing. The conversation highlights the diversity within the musical world and challenges the notion of specializing as a contemporary construct. Drawing inspiration from legend ..read more

Today, we’re diving into the world of parent-teacher conferences and how, as the music teacher, you can strike a chord that resonates with both parents and students. We know every school has its unique rhythm, so let’s explore how you can contribute to these conferences with these handy tips. Oh yeah, and be sure to listen to episode 269 of The Elementary Music Teacher podcast where I explore this even more. Sitting in Conferences First things first, if you’re asked to sit in on conferences, give your classroom teacher a friendly heads-up. It’s like a musical prelude – setting the stage for co ..read more

Do you remember the days when you first stepped into the classroom as a music teacher, full of enthusiasm and a passion for sharing the gift of music with your students? Every lesson felt like an opportunity to inspire and connect with your young learners. However, as the years go by, it’s easy to fall into a pattern of burnout and “Sunday night panic lessons,” as one experienced teacher, Anna Jo, aptly put it. In this blog post, and on episode 268 of The Elementary Music Teacher podcast, we’ll explore one teacher’s journey as a music educator and how she moved away from Sunday night lesson pl ..read more

Now, let me be the first to say, I am not a minimalist in my life. I love to keep things organized, clean out my closets, and constantly give things to goodwill. But in the music room, I want to talk about minimalism because it can bring simplicity, clarity, and joy to your teaching. So, let’s dive into the world of minimalism and discover how it can transform your music classroom in this blog post and on episode 267 of the podcast.    Starting from Scratch Perhaps your journey as a music teacher started like mine, in a school where resources were scarce. You were thrown into a class ..read more

As someone who holds a master’s degree in educational technology and juggles the roles of being not only a music teacher, but also an educational technology specialist, I’m here to share how you can naturally infuse tech into your music lessons. In this blog post, and on episode 266 of the podcast, let’s roll up our sleeves and explore how to integrate technology into your lessons. 1. Creating Lessons from Your Computer Sure, streaming directly from your computer sounds like a no-brainer, but there’s a world of creative possibilities here. When you sit down to plan your music lessons, think ab ..read more

Today, we are diving into an essential topic in the world of education: culturally responsive music education. In this blog post, detailing the key takeaways from podcast episode 265, I’m joined by Ashley Cuthbertson, a seasoned educator and consultant in the field. Let’s explore how to make music education more inclusive and relevant for diverse learners.   The Power of Culturally Responsive Music Education One of the key takeaways from Ashley’s discussion is the profound impact of music education. It’s not just about teaching notes or instruments; it’s a transformative force that can ch ..read more

One question I get asked a lot is, “How do I batch lesson planning?” You might be thinking, “Is it really possible to plan all my lessons for the month in just four hours?” Well, I’m here to tell you it is absolutely possible. In this blog post, and on episode 264 of The Elementary Music Teacher Podcast, I’m going to delve into batch lesson planning and show you how to streamline your teaching preparation. So whether you’re a seasoned pro or someone who often finds themselves scrambling on a Sunday night, I’ve got you covered.   Choose Your Planning Days The key to effectively batch lesso ..read more

In this post and on episode 263 of The Elementary Music Teacher Podcast, Starr Loutsis and I discuss the transformative power of sharing your story with your students. Music teachers often grapple with the question of how much of their own experiences to reveal to their students. In this blog post, we’ll explore why sharing your story is essential, what aspects of your story to share, and how it can benefit both teachers and students. So, let’s dive in!   Know Your Audience Starr emphasizes the importance of understanding your audience when sharing your story. For music teachers, your pri ..read more

When it comes to music education, we often find ourselves immersed in the melodies, harmonies, and rhythms of our favorite songs. But have you ever thought about how to ask questions in the music classroom? It’s a topic rarely discussed, yet it plays a profound role in shaping the musical journey of students. Join me on a captivating exploration of Dr. Philip Tacka’s innovative strategies that illuminate the path to a deeper understanding of music in this blog post and on episode 262 of The Elementary Music Teacher podcast.   A Journey Through Music Education Dr. Tacka’s remarkable journe ..read more