Whether you’re a veteran educator or just beginning your career, there are many music teacher resources available to help you excel. Below we’ve compiled some of our favorites to make them easy for everyone to find.
These resources include blogs to follow, newsletters to read, podcasts to listen to, and much more. If a valued resource is not listed, please let us know on Twitter or on Facebook.
Blogs
- SmartMusic: smartmusic-com.go-vip.net//blog
The SmartMusic Blog focuses on giving ensemble directors clear, actionable advice. Articles are written by educators around the country. - NAfME: www.nafme.org/category/news/music-in-a-minuet
The National Association for Music Education (NAfME) advocates for music education at every level. Educators who are longtime members write short articles on everything from warm-ups to job searches to fundraising on the “Music In A Minuet” blog. - Elisa Jones: MusicEdMentor.com
Elisa’s great blog is about improving the daily professional life of music teachers. She offers tips on grant writing, advocacy, and avoiding burnout. - Band Directors Talk Shop: banddirectorstalkshop.com/
Band-focused, often instrument-specific advice. - We Are Teachers: www.weareteachers.com
General education articles, not music-specific. Topics include curriculum planning, classroom management, and handling unusual situations. - Orchestra Classroom: orchestraclassroom.com/blog.php
Angela Harman takes a deep dive into everything strings — bowing, tuning, and more. - On and Off the Podium: www.onandoffthepodium.com/blog
Wendy Higdon is an experienced middle school band director who has written for several of the blogs on this list. Her best stuff is here on her own blog, including the best recruitment checklist ever. - Be Part of the Music: www.bepartofthemusic.org/
Everything (we mean everything) you need to know about recruitment and, more importantly, retention. Grow your program with these resources! - Midnight Music: midnightmusic.com.au/blog/
Katie Wardrobe focuses on music education technology with the clear tips and articles on her blog.
Technology
- TI:ME: ti-me.org
The Technology Institute for Music Educators is a non-profit focused on helping music teachers get and use technology in their classrooms. - Noteflight: www.noteflight.com/login
Free, simple web-based music notation software – with lesson plans! - SmartMusic: smartmusic-com.go-vip.net/
A web-based music education platform that connects teachers and students. - MusicFirst: www.musicfirst.com
An entire package of classroom tools for composition, practice, and more. - Ableton: www.ableton.com/en/shop/education
Not just for budding DJs, Ableton gets students practicing, creating, and making music. - Technology in Music Education: techinmusiced.wordpress.com/
Chris Russell’s blog includes many product reviews. Also, ukeleles! - MusTech.net: mustech.net
Joseph Pisano and Amy Burns, two technology all-stars, write about music education tech here. - Midnight Music: midnightmusic.com.au/start-here
If her blog and podcast don’t get you using technology more efficiently, Katie Wardrobe also offers workshops and a community page.
Social Media Groups
- Music Teachers: www.facebook.com/groups/musicpln
Wide-ranging group that supports music educators of all kinds. - I’m a choir director: www.facebook.com/groups/128901670510020
Self-explanatory title. Choir dorks unite! - Band Directors Group: www.facebook.com/groups/banddirectors
Engaged moderators mean this group has great questions and better answers. - Network of Positive Orchestra Directors: www.facebook.com/groups/positiveorchestradirectors
Orchestra teachers supporting each other on Facebook. - #musedchat on Twitter, run by @jguarr
Join this Twitter chat on Monday nights! Weekly topic, 4 questions. Be part of the conversations.
Materials and Lesson Plans
- TI:ME: ti-me.org/index.php
Technology focused lesson plans, broken down by type of tech. - NAfME: www.nafme.org/my-classroom/lesson-plans
Large lesson plan library restricted to NAfME members, but you should already be one of those. - Teachers Pay Teachers: www.teacherspayteachers.com
Etsy for teachers – buy lesson plans and materials from teachers who know they work! - NEA: www.nea.org/tools/LessonPlans.html
Not all music focused, but the National Education Agency has lesson plans that meet standards. - We Are Teachers: www.weareteachers.com/category/free-downloads
Not music focused, but a large inventory to check out. - On and Off the Podium: www.onandoffthepodium.com/materials
Wendy Higdon’s materials also include recruitment and instrument fitting day supplies. - Orchestra Classroom: orchestraclassroom.com/store.php
Theory exercises, whole pieces, and more materials for the orchestra classroom!
Podcasts
- MusEdCast: www.amusedcast.org
A long-form podcast (some episodes are more than an hour long) with tips for music educators of all levels. - After Sectionals: aftersectionals.com
The band directors at Stiles Middle School in Leander, TX, have nothing but real talk about the challenges and triumphs of being a music educator. - Music Tech Teacher Podcast: midnightmusic.com.au/music-tech-teacher-podcast/
The most technology-focused podcast on this list, with occasional episodes focused on general tips.
Organizations
- NAfME: www.nafme.org
You should belong to NAfME, the premiere music education advocacy group in the United States. - ASTA: www.astaweb.com
The American String Teachers Association provides support, industry discounts, and an annual conference for string teachers in the United States. - MEAs – various
Your state probably has a Music Educators Association. These groups are likely your first, best source of local support. Get involved! - TI:ME: ti-me.org
The Technology Institute for Music Educators is a non-profit focused on helping music teachers get and use technology in their classrooms.
Professional Development
- NAfME: www.nafme.org/my-classroom/professional-development
NAfME’s professional development resources are recognized for official credit in most states. - TI:ME: ti-me.org/index.php/courses.html
TI:ME’s professional development courses teach you how to better implement technology in your classroom while also offering credit toward most state PD requirements. - State MEA conferences
Attending your state’s MEA conference sessions will likely earn credits toward any professional development requirements your state board of education may impose. Check ahead of time!