the music educator blog

Like many people across the United States and the world right now, I find myself tasked with the challenge of supervising the learning of my children while working full-time from home.

“The only constant is change.”—Heraclitus, Greek Philosopher

There’s a lot of change taking place throughout the world, all at once.

Continuing to teach music during school closure is a challenge, no doubt about it! Here’s a quick video activity you can put together for your students as a learning module.

The past few weeks have undoubtedly been stressful for you as a teacher as you navigate trying to decipher if or when your school might be shut down, wonder whether you or your students have been exposed to a virus, and balance the ever delicate relationship between work and home life. 

Stop what you are doing. Turn off the news. Notice your breath. Is it shallow? Tight? Relaxed? Are you holding your breath?

We are currently in a situation that is unprecedented—schools closing for weeks, people confined to their homes, and expectations that learning continues online.

In this unprecedented time it has been incredible to see so many teachers quickly jump into action and embrace online teaching! 

As more schools are closing due to COVID-19, music teachers are looking for options to keep the learning going. SmartMusic is one way performance ensemble teachers are helping their students continue to practice.

To all my fellow orchestra, band, chorus, and music teacher colleagues,

In preparing ourselves for school closures in the midst of COVID-19, as a dedicated middle school orchestra teacher, I have wondered what support I can offer my students during this crazy, strange and utterly “scary” time.

Expect the unexpected. Teachers are resilient by nature. We deal with curveballs everyday in the classroom and somehow find a way to adapt, revise, and make fantastic lessons and experiences for students.