Blog
Music is so much more than notes and rhythms. Music is something that activates parts of our brains in truly unique ways.
My first course I took in my master’s program was a music psychology course. I was instantly hooked, and loved being able to dive further into how...
What can we do to combat teacher burnout?
That's what I chatted with James Robinson, II about on this week's episode of That Music Podcast.
Unfortunately, burnout is a very real problem within the teaching profession as a whole. Add on the fact that music teachers are often...
As the beginning of the school year gets closer and closer, I find myself looking for inspiration in all sorts of different places. After a whole summer of not thinking about school, I want to gently ease myself back into the teaching mindset instead of trying to dive in on...
I am getting ready to move to a new classroom. This will not be my first time setting up a classroom space however, this time I have a lot more information to consider as I set up my room. Over the last 6 years, I have worked hard to understand how trauma can impact the...
I think we should all take a collective sigh of relief: The 2020 school year is finally over! We made it! I don’t think I’ve talked to a single teacher who isn’t glad to put this year behind us. Pandemic teaching is something none of us ever expected,...
Happy summer, teacher friends! I hope you are finding time for yourself and enjoying activities that help you recharge. For many of us, relaxing includes curling up with a good book, whether that’s on your couch, at the beach, or anywhere between. If you’re...
Want to quickly spike the heart rate of a music teacher? You might be able to do it with just one of three phrases: MacGAMUT! Norton Anthology of Western Music! Back to School!
Although many of the texts that are popular in undergraduate studies...
At the end of a school year, most teachers are dreaming of the days when alarm clocks do not have to be set and coffee can be drunk in a leisurely fashion. But, just as we dream of summer, many of us are also guilty of planning and preparing for the next year long before...
In this episode I share a conversation I had with Lesley Schultz about the fate of our teenagers after they leave our classrooms.
Lesley shares her experience with teaching general music at the secondary level and how we as...
Sometimes I feel like super sleuth! I spend a fair amount of time scouring different places for awesome ideas and resources. I am always particularly looking for resources that can help make my mainly traditional folk music repertoire more current, authentic and...
When we enter the world of special education as teachers, we are told of some standards which are “set in stone,” for our students. Every student is entitled to a Free and Appropriate Public Education. Every child who qualifies for special needs services...
What is the first thing you say when you meet someone new? For me, it’s usually something along the lines of “Hi, I’m Rachel! I’m a music teacher - what do you do?” Our identities constantly circle around being teachers, especially in...
