Music Teacher Coffee Talk

Music Teacher Coffee Talk · MTCT #185: Music as a Vehicle, with Ashley Cuthbertson Main Theme: Music as a Vehicle with Ashley Cuthbertson In this episode, Carrie and Tanya chat with Ashley Cuthbertson, the author of Music as a Vehicle: A Practice Guide to Implementing Culturally Responsive Teaching in Today's Music Classrooms . We read Ashley's book for our 2025 summer book club, and it was so great to be able to ask her some follow-up questions in response to our reading. You can learn more about Ashley and her work at AshleyCuthbertson.com . Coda Ashley is enjoying Beyonce's Cowboy Carter album and was able to see her concert in Chicago Tanya is enjoying the movie Sinners Carrie is enjoying the album What Did the Blackbird Say to the Crow by Rhiannon Giddens and Justin Robinson Did you enjoy this episode?  Consider buying us a coffee to thank us for our work.  Monthly Memberships are also available! Click the button below!

Music Teacher Coffee Talk · MTCT #181: 2025 Summer Book Club, Part 2 Summer Fun! Carrie gave Tanya this Bob Dylan trivia quiz. Main Theme: 2025 Summer Book Club, Music as a Vehicle, Part 2 This summer we are reading Music As a Vehicle: A Practical Guide to Implementing Culturally Responsive Teaching in Today's Music Classrooms. In this episode, Carrie and Tanya discuss our thoughts about Part 2: Setting the Stage for an Affirming Music Learning Environment. We invite you to  purchase the book  and read along with us! Coda Tanya recommends the Handsome Podcast Carrie recommends the book  Starter Villain by John Scalzi Did you enjoy this episode?  Consider buying us a coffee to thank us for our work.  Monthly Memberships are also available! Click the button below!

Music Teacher Coffee Talk · MTCT #180: 2025 Summer Book Club, Part 1   Main Theme: 2025 Summer Book Club, Music as a Vehicle, Part 1 This summer we are reading Music As a Vehicle: A Practical Guide to Implementing Culturally Responsive Teaching in Today's Music Classrooms. In this episode, Carrie and Tanya discuss our thoughts about Part 1: Developing a Mindset for Equity in Music Education. We invite you to purchase the book and read along with us! Things we mention in this episode: Ashley Cuthberton's Website Ashley Cuthbertson's Blog Post on Understanding Cultural Proficiency Coda Tanya recommends the Petty Crimes podcast Carrie recommends the book Secret Place by Tana French Did you enjoy this episode?  Consider buying us a coffee to thank us for our work.  Monthly Memberships are also available! Click the button below!

Music Teacher Coffee Talk · MTCT #165: Realizing Diversity with Karen Howard Main Theme: Realizing Diversity with Karen Howard In this episode, Carrie and Tanya have a powerful conversation with Dr. Karen Howard about issues and ideas around diversity and culturally responsive teaching in music education. About Karen: Karen Howard is Professor of Music and Director of Graduate Studies in Music Education at the University of St. Thomas. Karen is the author of multiple articles and books related to diversifying music education through dispositions, repertoire, and pedagogical practices. She is a frequent national and international clinician supporting music educators in their journeys toward developing equitable teaching and learning environments. Karen is also a faculty fellow with the Office of Diversity Equity and Inclusion, she is the founder and editor of the World Music Initiative series through GIA Music (in which all musics are considered “world” music”), and is President Elect...

Music Teacher Coffee Talk · MTCT #159: Starting the School Year: Putting First Things First Announcements and Upcoming Events: We have an article published in the Summer 2024 OAKE Envoy titled "2024 OAKE Conference Reflection: How OAKE is Evolving and Changing." You can check out the Envoy here . All articles and past editions are available for OAKE members. There is one free article in each issue available for non-members. Upcoming workshop: Northern California Association of Kodály Educators (NCAKE) Saturday, August 17, 2024 9:00-1:00 pm Burlingame United Methodist Church In-person, Zoom, and Recording options available! Register here! Main Theme: Starting the School Year: Putting First Things First As we head back into the school year, we are considering Habit #3 from the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey . Habit #3 is to "Put first things first." We are considering our "big rocks," or priorities, and making sure to put the most tim...

Music Teacher Coffee Talk · MTCT #150: What To Do When You Have "That Class" Upcoming Event! Virginia Organization of Kodály Educators February 10, 2024 9:00-1:00 Carrie and Tanya will present "Work Smarter, Not Harder" at Shenandoah University in Winchester, VA Main Theme: What to do when you have "That Class" Things we mention in this episode: Restorative Practices PBIS Alfie Kohn Tanya's Music Money system: If you are interested in getting a copy of Tanya's Music Money template, leave us a review on iTunes and then email us at musicteachercoffeetalk@gmail.com and she'll send it your way! Tanya's Rhythm Tracing Worksheets Know Better, Do Better Tanya talks about the concept of narrative vs. counter-narrative when considering music to present to your students. This is a concept that Brandi Waller-Pace presented at a resent workshop for the Rocky Mountain Chapter of AOSA. This is a great reminder to include under represented musicians who...

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...

Music Teacher Coffee Talk · MTCT #133: Teacher Appreciation   Past Episodes about End of the Year Activities and Tips: #111: Wrap It Up! #90: Your Future Self Will Thank You #15: Closure Main Theme: Teacher Appreciation In this episode, Carrie and Tanya remember their favorite teachers from the past and the qualities of those teachers that have affected and influenced us. Here are some of the qualities we have noticed from our favorite teachers: Putting students first Playfulness and joy Fostering passion and creativity Importance of solid pedagogy Kind and caring Importance of research about child development If you would like to show your appreciation for any teachers you know (maybe even us), we encourage you to give back to organizations that benefit teachers such as the Organization of American Kodály Educators. We encourage you to give to OAKE's 2023 Giving Campaign. OAKE is an organization that has greatly impacted us as educators, so if you appreciate the ideas and advice...

Music Teacher Coffee Talk · Episode #124: Check-In: Culturally Responsive Teaching and The Brain Main Theme In this episode, Carrie and Tanya revisit some thoughts regarding our 2022 Summer Book Club selection Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain  by Zaretta Hammond. Things we mention in this episode: YouTube videos: " Culturally Responsive Teaching" lecture by Zaretta Hammond " Culturally Responsive Teaching 101" interview with Zaretta Hammond Note Knacks Know Better, Do Better Tanya recommends following the work of Ashley Cuthbertson . Ashley is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to culturally responsive music education. She offers workshops, online PD, a blog, and has an active social media presence with lots of live videos. Work Smarter, Not Harder Carrie recommends investing in a mailbox system (like a choir folder organizer) where students can store Chromebooks or iPads when they are not in use. Coda Tanya is enjoying the audio book Inside Voice: My...

Music Teacher Coffee Talk · MTCT #118: Setting Students Up for Success in the Music Room Main Theme: Setting Students up for Success in the Music Room In this episode, Carrie and Tanya talk about setting students up for success in the music room through routines and procedures that are explicitly taught and practiced through musical activities. Consider routines and procedures for the following: Assigned seats Making a circle Finding a movement partner Instruments - passing out and putting away Instrument rest position Attention signal Bathroom/drink signal Question signal Turn and talk partners Lining up/line leaders Consider creating a check list where you can keep track of your procedures and process in which you will teach them. Here's a copy of ours that you can edit and use for your own classroom. Know Better, Do Better Tanya reminded us of the importance of using culturally inclusive picture books and songs in your classroom, even if your student population is predominantly...

Music Teacher Coffee Talk · MTCT #116: 2022 Summer Book Club Part 3 Fun Summer Quiz: What Type of Teacher Are You? Main Theme: 2022 Summer Book Club, Part 3 This summer we are reading  Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain  by Zaretta Hammond  and in this episode, Tanya and Carrie discuss Part 3 (chapters 8 and 9). We hope you are reading along with us! Be sure to check out our Instagram and Facebook pages where we will post discussion topics. We'd love to hear your thoughts!  Coda Tanya recommends watching The Bear (on Hulu). Carrie recommends watching Stranger Things (on Netflix).

Music Teacher Coffee Talk · MTCT #114: 2022 Summer Book Club Part 1   Fun Summer Quiz: Buzzfeed Gen X Quiz Main Theme: 2022 Summer Book Club, Part 1 This summer we are reading Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain by Zaretta Hammond  and in this episode, Tanya and Carrie discuss Part 1 (chapters 1-4). We hope you are reading along with us! Be sure to check out our Instagram and Facebook pages where we will post discussion topics. We'd love to hear your thoughts! Here is the estimated schedule of our Summer Book Club episodes:     Part 1: June 19     Part 2: July 3     Part 3: July 17 Coda Tanya recommends the album Hounds of Love by Kate Bush Carrie recommends the book Nothing to See Here by Kevin Wilson, specifically the audio book Did you find this show entertaining or helpful? You can thank us by buying us a coffee! Click the link below!

Music Teacher Coffee Talk · MTCT Episode #107: Increasing Student Engagement Main Theme In this episode, Carrie and Tanya discuss some strategies for increasing student engagement in the music room. We encourage you to read this article, "How to Ensure Students Are Actively Engaged and Not Just Compliant," by Katrina Schwartz . In the article, Schwartz shares a list of qualities from John Almarode, associate professor at James Madison University and co-director of the school's Center for STEM Education and Outreach, that promote student engagement. Through his research, Almarode has observed students demonstrating cognitive engagement 84-86% of the time when at least 3 of these qualities are observed in a classroom. These 8 qualities are great to keep in mind when planning. Look for opportunities to purposefully plan at least a few of these engagement strategies into each of your lessons or : Does the activity, strategy, task, or idea allow for the student to personaliz...