Student Interview Reflection
For my student interview project, I chose to interview Nikole, who does not consider herself a musician, and Geleela, who does. I asked them nearly the same questions, but got quite different answers. I was surprised when I heard some of their responses.
Nikole mentioned that she grew up in a household where she was surrounded by music, but she does not enjoy creating music. Meanwhile, Geleela mentioned that she is the only one in her family to create music. I found this interesting, because I assumed that being exposed to music at a young age would increase your interest in it, while not being exposed to it very much as a young age could decrease your interest in it. For both my teacher and I, we were exposed to music at a young age which resulted in us loving music ever since. Therefore, I find it interesting that Nikole, the “non-musician”, was exposed very young, while Geleela, the “musician”, did not have the same experiences at home.
Something that I found interesting is the similarities between Nikole and Geleela. Even though Nikole does not consider herself to be a “musician”, she interacts with music multiple times a day. Both Nikole and Geleela mentioned that they continuously listen to music during the day; while walking, showering, etc. Even though Nikole does not consider herself to be a “musician”, she is very involved with music. I would consider her a musician because of her interest and passion for music. Although she does not create music, she is very involved with it and surrounded by it in her life.
One of the main things that I noticed is how much both Nikole and Geleela’s opinion of music was impacted when they were young. It is clear that our first experiences with music have an impact on us. For example, for Nikole, having music playing around her house constantly resulted in her listening to music constantly, and it impacted her taste in music. As for Geleela, she knew she was passionate about music as soon as she got to experience it in school. Therefore, those experiences for them set them up to either enjoy or not enjoy music, by always remembering how the experiences went for them.
Overall, I found that I have a lot in common with my teacher based on his responses to my interview questions. Although, I did not find any common themes between my teacher interview and my student interviews. Although, I found similarities between the two students.
Nikole mentioned that she grew up in a household where she was surrounded by music, but she does not enjoy creating music. Meanwhile, Geleela mentioned that she is the only one in her family to create music. I found this interesting, because I assumed that being exposed to music at a young age would increase your interest in it, while not being exposed to it very much as a young age could decrease your interest in it. For both my teacher and I, we were exposed to music at a young age which resulted in us loving music ever since. Therefore, I find it interesting that Nikole, the “non-musician”, was exposed very young, while Geleela, the “musician”, did not have the same experiences at home.
Something that I found interesting is the similarities between Nikole and Geleela. Even though Nikole does not consider herself to be a “musician”, she interacts with music multiple times a day. Both Nikole and Geleela mentioned that they continuously listen to music during the day; while walking, showering, etc. Even though Nikole does not consider herself to be a “musician”, she is very involved with music. I would consider her a musician because of her interest and passion for music. Although she does not create music, she is very involved with it and surrounded by it in her life.
One of the main things that I noticed is how much both Nikole and Geleela’s opinion of music was impacted when they were young. It is clear that our first experiences with music have an impact on us. For example, for Nikole, having music playing around her house constantly resulted in her listening to music constantly, and it impacted her taste in music. As for Geleela, she knew she was passionate about music as soon as she got to experience it in school. Therefore, those experiences for them set them up to either enjoy or not enjoy music, by always remembering how the experiences went for them.
Overall, I found that I have a lot in common with my teacher based on his responses to my interview questions. Although, I did not find any common themes between my teacher interview and my student interviews. Although, I found similarities between the two students.
Ideas for my Future Classroom...
When I become a teacher, I hope to teach vocals in a high school setting. If I were teaching a high school vocal class, here is an activity I would like for them to participate in: Get in a group of 5, choose any song that you all enjoy, and create your own version of the song. You can get as creative as you would like, using your voices and your bodies, as well as instruments. In addition, you must use a program such as GarageBand, to record and use tracks in addition to your vocals. Experiment as much as you can, and try something new! After you show your creation to the class, you will show us the original song. You will then tell us the purpose and meaning of your creation, and how it is similar to or different from the original.
The Teacher Who Inspired Me
Every discussion we have in my Music Education class results in me reflecting on my experiences as a student. I think about what teaching methods affected me the most, whether I enjoyed those experiences or not. I think about what methods I want to use in my classroom one day, that will affect everyone positively. Most of all, I find myself thinking about my favourite teacher, Jeff Newberry, the one who got me here.
When I first heard about the Teacher Interview assignment, I was ecstatic. I finally had a reason to sit down with the person who has inspired me most in my life and learn about their experiences, and the thoughts that form their teaching methods. I finally had a chance to learn what goes on in their mind, and try to learn how to think similarly when I become a teacher.
When I asked Jeff to tell me about his musical journey, he started from when he was a young boy all the way up until the present. Hearing about his path, I was surprised at how much we have in common. He told me how he came from a family where music constantly played in the household. He told me about how his mother’s taste in music influenced him, and how his father’s interest and knowledge in music did as well. This reminded me of my own family, because I grew up in a house where we were surrounded by music. Neither of my parents played any instruments, but their love for music is what drew me to it.
Jeff also told me about one of his high school music teachers who inspired him in many ways. He told me how this teacher went above and beyond to help him grow as a musician, by putting in extra hours and working one-on-one with him to prepare him for post-secondary school. As he told me this story, I was blown away by how similar his relationship with that teacher sounded to my relationship with him. Throughout grade eleven and twelve, Jeff would help me daily with my repertoire and theory, whether it was during his lunch break or after school. He was dedicated to helping me grow as a musician, as was his teacher with him. I can’t help but wonder if Jeff realizes that he has impacted me in the same way that his favourite teacher impacted him. I believe that Jeff may get some of his special qualities from having such an inspiring teacher himself.
One specific question has been stuck in my mind since I began this Music Education class; how do you create an environment where every student feels safe? I asked Jeff this question, and his response put me at ease. He explained that one specific teaching style won’t always work for everyone. It is important to put time and energy into getting to know your students and trying to figure out what works best for them. He told me that it takes time, but it gets easy with more experience. He emphasized the fact that there is no reason to try and follow a strict curriculum, because not everything works with different classes. It is important to hear feedback from your students in order to know how it is truly affecting them.
When I asked Jeff if he has worked with people who have different teaching styles than him, he told me that he has. He mentioned again how one specific teaching style won’t always work for everyone, and that is the beauty in having a team of teachers. There are many different personalities in a classroom, and having multiple teachers with different teaching styles can be beneficial because it gives students a better chance of having a teacher they connect with and feel more comfortable with. He told me how his teaching style doesn’t work for all his students, but he continues to build relationships with them to make them feel more comfortable.
As I sat and listen to Jeff speak about how different teaching methods work for different people, it was easy for me to look back on my experiences in high school and point out which methods affected me positively and which methods affected me negatively. As I thought of this, I realized that I wouldn’t be where I am today without having all of those experiences. Although some of my experiences were hard on me, they made me stronger, and the experiences that I enjoyed inspired me as a future teacher.
At the end of the interview, I asked Jeff if there was anything he would like to ask me. He asked me what I enjoy about Music Education. I told him that I enjoy learning about how different personalities and perspectives have different opinions about mindful teaching. I told him how I have learned a lot about myself as a student, and how it has helped me form the identity that I want to have as a teacher someday. Although, the most important stuff that I have learned have been from him. From being one of his students, to volunteering in his classes, I have had many opportunities to analyze his teaching style. But, what has brought me the most knowledge comes from my personal relationship with him. He showed me that teaching isn’t about standing in front of a classroom and lecturing students, but that it’s about listening to your students, caring for them, and helping them grow as people.
Without Jeff, I would not have experienced some of my favourite memories, and I would not be where I am today. He not only inspired me to pursue music, but he has inspired me to become a teacher so that I can impact a student’s life the way he impacted mine. He has changed my life for the better in many ways, and I cannot thank him enough.
When I first heard about the Teacher Interview assignment, I was ecstatic. I finally had a reason to sit down with the person who has inspired me most in my life and learn about their experiences, and the thoughts that form their teaching methods. I finally had a chance to learn what goes on in their mind, and try to learn how to think similarly when I become a teacher.
When I asked Jeff to tell me about his musical journey, he started from when he was a young boy all the way up until the present. Hearing about his path, I was surprised at how much we have in common. He told me how he came from a family where music constantly played in the household. He told me about how his mother’s taste in music influenced him, and how his father’s interest and knowledge in music did as well. This reminded me of my own family, because I grew up in a house where we were surrounded by music. Neither of my parents played any instruments, but their love for music is what drew me to it.
Jeff also told me about one of his high school music teachers who inspired him in many ways. He told me how this teacher went above and beyond to help him grow as a musician, by putting in extra hours and working one-on-one with him to prepare him for post-secondary school. As he told me this story, I was blown away by how similar his relationship with that teacher sounded to my relationship with him. Throughout grade eleven and twelve, Jeff would help me daily with my repertoire and theory, whether it was during his lunch break or after school. He was dedicated to helping me grow as a musician, as was his teacher with him. I can’t help but wonder if Jeff realizes that he has impacted me in the same way that his favourite teacher impacted him. I believe that Jeff may get some of his special qualities from having such an inspiring teacher himself.
One specific question has been stuck in my mind since I began this Music Education class; how do you create an environment where every student feels safe? I asked Jeff this question, and his response put me at ease. He explained that one specific teaching style won’t always work for everyone. It is important to put time and energy into getting to know your students and trying to figure out what works best for them. He told me that it takes time, but it gets easy with more experience. He emphasized the fact that there is no reason to try and follow a strict curriculum, because not everything works with different classes. It is important to hear feedback from your students in order to know how it is truly affecting them.
When I asked Jeff if he has worked with people who have different teaching styles than him, he told me that he has. He mentioned again how one specific teaching style won’t always work for everyone, and that is the beauty in having a team of teachers. There are many different personalities in a classroom, and having multiple teachers with different teaching styles can be beneficial because it gives students a better chance of having a teacher they connect with and feel more comfortable with. He told me how his teaching style doesn’t work for all his students, but he continues to build relationships with them to make them feel more comfortable.
As I sat and listen to Jeff speak about how different teaching methods work for different people, it was easy for me to look back on my experiences in high school and point out which methods affected me positively and which methods affected me negatively. As I thought of this, I realized that I wouldn’t be where I am today without having all of those experiences. Although some of my experiences were hard on me, they made me stronger, and the experiences that I enjoyed inspired me as a future teacher.
At the end of the interview, I asked Jeff if there was anything he would like to ask me. He asked me what I enjoy about Music Education. I told him that I enjoy learning about how different personalities and perspectives have different opinions about mindful teaching. I told him how I have learned a lot about myself as a student, and how it has helped me form the identity that I want to have as a teacher someday. Although, the most important stuff that I have learned have been from him. From being one of his students, to volunteering in his classes, I have had many opportunities to analyze his teaching style. But, what has brought me the most knowledge comes from my personal relationship with him. He showed me that teaching isn’t about standing in front of a classroom and lecturing students, but that it’s about listening to your students, caring for them, and helping them grow as people.
Without Jeff, I would not have experienced some of my favourite memories, and I would not be where I am today. He not only inspired me to pursue music, but he has inspired me to become a teacher so that I can impact a student’s life the way he impacted mine. He has changed my life for the better in many ways, and I cannot thank him enough.
My Thoughts on This Class So Far...
So far, this class has been quite different from what I expected it to be. I was expecting to be learning multiple teaching methods, but instead, we are doing a lot of analyzing and discussing. I am enjoying the way we are doing things, because we are learning every time we form an opinion, hear someone else’s opinion, have discussions, and when we read about other people’s teaching methods. It is amazing how much you can learn without having a strict curriculum. This is one of the main points that I have learned from being in this class.
After analyzing some of the articles we have read this semester, I have been confronted with something that I had not put much thought into previously; that no curriculum will match every classroom. Even when you come up with a teaching method that you find extremely successful, it may not work with the students you have the next year. As a teacher, you must constantly be coming up with new ideas and methods that will be beneficial to your specific students, and you must constantly be taking risks to see what works and what does not work.
I have learned that certain teaching methods can be beneficial to many students, while not being beneficial to other students. I have realized that is really hard to find a balance in which all students are able to feel comfortable, safe and valued in the classroom. Personally, I cannot think of a way of teaching in which all students can feel that way. I want to be able to figure this out by the time I become a teacher. All I know is that I want to be a teacher who has individual relationships with each of their students, in order to get to know them, and figure out how they can be taught in a way that is beneficial to them specifically.
After many classroom discussions, something that has really surprised me is how differently each of us has been taught. We all have different opinions due to having different past experiences with our own teachers. Many of us have been taught in ways that inspired us, while many of us have been taught in ways that we hated. One thing that I have realized, though, is that without having some of the bad experiences we have had in our classrooms, we would not as passionate about mindful teaching as we are today. With this being said, I think that now is the time for us to reflect on all of our experiences, and be able to create a teaching system where students will have nothing but inspiring and mindful teachers.
After analyzing some of the articles we have read this semester, I have been confronted with something that I had not put much thought into previously; that no curriculum will match every classroom. Even when you come up with a teaching method that you find extremely successful, it may not work with the students you have the next year. As a teacher, you must constantly be coming up with new ideas and methods that will be beneficial to your specific students, and you must constantly be taking risks to see what works and what does not work.
I have learned that certain teaching methods can be beneficial to many students, while not being beneficial to other students. I have realized that is really hard to find a balance in which all students are able to feel comfortable, safe and valued in the classroom. Personally, I cannot think of a way of teaching in which all students can feel that way. I want to be able to figure this out by the time I become a teacher. All I know is that I want to be a teacher who has individual relationships with each of their students, in order to get to know them, and figure out how they can be taught in a way that is beneficial to them specifically.
After many classroom discussions, something that has really surprised me is how differently each of us has been taught. We all have different opinions due to having different past experiences with our own teachers. Many of us have been taught in ways that inspired us, while many of us have been taught in ways that we hated. One thing that I have realized, though, is that without having some of the bad experiences we have had in our classrooms, we would not as passionate about mindful teaching as we are today. With this being said, I think that now is the time for us to reflect on all of our experiences, and be able to create a teaching system where students will have nothing but inspiring and mindful teachers.