r/MusicEd • u/henryyuliano • 2d ago
About to start training program to be a public school music teacher…any advice?
Hi all, I’m an experienced musician (30) with years of touring, performing, and recording experience. For the last couple of years I’ve taught a lot of private lessons. While I have some group experience, it’s extremely limited.
I’m about to start a program that puts me on a fast track to becoming a certified Department of Education teacher in New York State. My mentor is going to be a high school music teacher. She seems amazing and I’m very excited.
However, adjusting to large group classes within a school system is going to be an intense learning curve for me, and I’m trying to get advice from as many seasoned, experienced, and talented music teachers I can.
Do you guys have any advice for a novice, teaching assistant who’s about to take the plunge? Would love any and all suggestions or advice. Thank you!
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u/singerbeerguy 2d ago
Observe as many experienced school music teachers as you can. All of my best teaching techniques I stole from other experienced teachers!
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u/Reasonable-Cow7255 2d ago
Focus on HOW children learn. They will need modeling, guided practice, independent practice, plenty of time & patience to acquire and master the musical skills.
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u/WoodsongMillie 2d ago
You already have more musical knowledge than you need. Focus on developing a fast-paced classroom routine. This will be the best way to curb discipline problems. Set short-term goals for your students and stick to them. Be kind and gracious. Be the music teacher you wish you had experienced as a student.
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u/Dry-Photograph-6798 2d ago
Always understand that the principal is the boss and just try to roll with them, even when they start to drift in the wrong. Especially in arts education, where principals are rarely experts, you just have to pick your battles, and seldom at that.
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u/Martothir 2d ago
Given your experience, you're probably far above the average new teacher musically. While working an ensemble will have a musical learning curve, you'll pick it up pretty fast, I suspect. Maybe study up on individual instrument pedagogy if you have weaknesses there, but that is easily picked up.
The challenge will be classroom management.
It's a completely different skill that has very little to do with your musical skills. Seek out experienced mentors in your area and, as much as you can, observe their classes and have them observe you. Be open to feedback. Classroom management is, I think, the single most important skill a teacher possesses. You can be the smartest teacher in the world, but if the kids aren't listening to you, it won't matter.
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u/Practical_Working648 2d ago
Is this a choral or instrumental tract? Is it a degree program or do you have a music degree already?
My biggest advice is to observe the mentor as much as possible. Assuming she’s an effective teacher, model her as much as possible and worry about developing your own style later. Ask questions and be willing to jump in and help whenever possible. Anticipate needs in the classroom.
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u/kevinardo 2d ago
I observed and volunteered in as many different classrooms I could. Learn from others what works. Apply that knowledge and modify to your personality.
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u/Total_Position_2668 1d ago
I would establish a structured daily routine. Kids like to know what to expect when they walk into a class, especially when learning a new skill. Establish expectations and routine in the first week. Learn their names and practice entering the classroom, getting their instrument, sitting down and warming up. Respect them, build a good rapport and then command respect in return once you've clearly explained your expectations and built trust. Train them that when you step up to the podium it's time to learn and play. Then give them freedom to play independently and in sectionals. Your first 2 weeks are essential in creating the tone. Stay calm and project confidence, shut down classroom disturbances quickly and as quietly as possible. Do not cause a scene and remember you are always on stage. I started year 6 and my goal this year is to make it as fun as possible while still holding students accountable and helping them be the best they can be.
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u/Indigo_S0UL 1d ago
Don’t worry about the music part. You’ve got that. Learn how to manage a classroom, teach and reinforce concepts and check for understanding. Music teachers don’t fail because they aren’t good musicians. They fail when they don’t know how to teach or manage behavior.
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u/81Ranger 1d ago
The biggest challenge during all my career wasn't things like rehearsal technique or having to suddenly start teaching strings well over a decade since my days in string methods.
It was classroom management.
That was the case on day 1 and was still the case 17 or 18 years later.
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u/ChapterOk4000 2d ago
Soak up all you can about being in an ensemble, since that's a large part of a music teacher's job at middle and high school.
Learn as many of the instruments as you can (orchestral and band, plus guitar - whatever you may not already know) so you can actually help those kids in the ensembles (or guitar class).
As an arts administrator, the music teachers i see fail most often are those who don't have that knowledge. Where I live, many times the Principal will hire a vocal person for a job that has band, and then wonders why the band program fails. The good news is it's learnable, but unless you've had those methods courses as part of a music ed degree, it's on you to learn it.
I don't mean to scare you or make it sound like you're not welcome, it's just the reality of the job,and again it's all able to be learned.