Episode #97: Dear New Teachers

-

 

In this episode, Tanya and Carrie share advice for new teachers who are in year one or two of their teaching career.

Main Theme

1. Find your inspiration
  • Craft your mission statement or philosophy.
  • Find and follow teachers who resonate with your philosophy.
  • Be inspired by the musical literature you are using with your students. Choose things you love!
2. Seek out professional development
  • Attend local workshops (Kodály, Orff, Dalcroze, etc). They are well worth the time and money.
  • Attend summer training if you are ready. Don't pile on too many trainings in one summer!
  • Attend state/county conferences and network with local music educators.
3. Find systems that work for you
  • Are you a digital or paper planner?
  • Where and when do you plan best?
  • What are the sustainable routines you can establish now for your classroom and for yourself?
4. Learn to scaffold and break things down
  • How can you break down activities into meaningful and accessible chunks for younger learners. 
  • Remember to keep the minutes of an activity equitable to the age of the learner (1st grade learners = no longer than 6 minutes in a lesson segment). Also, use the grade level of the learner as a guide for how many directions you can give at once (4th graders = no more than 4 directions at once)
  • Don't blame the students when things go wrong. What can you do better next time?
5. Pace yourself
  • Focus on your students and your career before starting a "side hustle" or trying to become a teacher of teachers.
  • You don't have to be a TpT seller, IG influencer, YouTuber or blogger to have a fulfilling life and career! Don't burn yourself out!
6. Ask for help, but know how to do so tactfully
  • Use Google and the search function in Facebook groups before posting questions that have already been answered.
  • Have appropriate timing and expectations when reaching out to mentors. Ask specific questions and don't expect an immediate answer.
  • Be thankful! Maybe offer buying your mentor a coffee or beer for their time. Remember, we have a "buy me a coffee" button on our website! Or you can just click this button below:



Know Better, Do Better

Carrie discussed the song "Fire in the Mountain" which can be found on the list "Songs with a Questionable Past" as compiled by Lauren McDougle. This conversation brought up the importance of doing your own research. Carrie also mentions the song "Jim Along Josie." Check out episode #69 if you want to learn more about that particular song.

Work Smarter, Not Harder

Tanya shared a great free tool called Classroom Screen, where you can post photos and videos, open a writing space (including a staff tool!), project QR codes, use timers, and many other great tools for teaching. 

Coda

Carrie recommends attending the OAKE Western Division VIRTUAL Mini Conference on Saturday, October 23, 2021. Tanya will be presenting! Find more information and register here.

Tanya recommends the Van Gogh Alive interactive art experience if you can find one in a city near you!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Episode #57: Sample Lesson Plans in a Kodály-Inspired Classroom

-
Image
In this episode , Carrie and Tanya share 2 sample lesson plans based off of their long-range planning as mentioned in Episode 56.   Tanya shares a Kindergarten lesson focusing on steady beat and high/low.  Carrie shares a 4th grade plan focusing on ti-ta-ti (syncopa) and high do.   Songs and Activities mentioned in this episode: *Clap Your Hands* Looby-Loo with percussion Hop Old Squirrel Here's a Nest for Robin Here's a nest for robin, Here's a hive for bee, Here's a hole for rabbit, And here's a home for me! Two Little Puppets Two little puppets, one on each hand, Isn't she lovely, isn't he grand? Her name is Bella, his name is Bo, She says "Good morning" (or afternoon), and he says "Hello!" "Personages with Long Ears" from Carnival of the Animals by Camille Saint-Saens *Old King Glory*   The Ants Go Marching  Illustrated by Dan Crisp
Read more

Episode #139: Back to School: Tried and True vs. Mixing It Up

-
Image
Music Teacher Coffee Talk · MTCT #139: Back to School: Tried and True vs. Mixing It Up Upcoming Events: Carrie will be presenting for the Utah Fellowship of Local Kodály Specialists (UFOLKS) on 8/19/23 from 9:00-3:00 in American Fork, Utah. Find info and registration here! Carrie will be presenting for the Sierra Nevada Association of Kodály Educators (SNAKE) on 9/9/33 from 9:00-12:00 in Sparks, NV. Find info and registration here! Main Theme: Back to School! Tried and True vs. Mixing It Up Tanya and Carrie are headed back to school! In this episode we talk about our favorite tried and true back-to-school plans and activities and some of the ideas and things we are doing to mix it up and try something new. Things we mention in this episode: Past Music Teacher Coffee Talk episodes about Back to School: #117: Setting Up the Music Room #118: Setting Students Up for Success #45: Back to School Planning for the Year #46: Planning For the First Weeks of School #47: Building Relationships #2
Read more

Welcome!

-
Image
Welcome to the Music Teacher Coffee Talk podcast Show Notes blog!  We will share all show notes and episode information here. You can access the show notes from episodes 1-55 by visiting tanyaelementarymusic.blogspot.com Thanks for listening!  Don't forget to rate and review on your favorite podcast player to help others find our show!  Like our content? Buy us a coffee by clicking the button below!
Read more