Chapter 2

3. Are the best teachers extroverts? Are the best teachers decisive and in charge?

Although at first it may seem that the excited ‘bouncing-off-the-walls’ type of extroverted teacher is very good at their job, eventually that excitement wears away, and students may eventually become annoyed by it. Just because a teacher always seems excited and happy to be teaching, it doesn’t necessarily mean they are good at being in control and making decisions. According to our textbook, students must know that the teacher is “…competent and in charge. Good teachers cannot be week and timid (Hoffer, 12). It is important for music teachers to maintain a level of control over the students in their classroom while developing a special bond with these same students. In 2002, the MENC published an article titled, Why are you majoring in music education. In the “Teaching Music Journal.” Almost 500 collegiate music education majors were polled and asked questions about their decisions to become music majors. Many students reported that their high school music teacher had the most influence on their choice. One student wrote, “The most influence came from my high school band director. I remember he was always hard on me” (Why). Teachers like this demonstrate decisiveness and being in charge without being too aggressive.

Why are you majoring in music education? (2002). Teaching Music.

5. What actions can music teachers take to continue to grow as teachers?

Contrary to what we all believe, once we leave college, we still have a lot to learn. A friend of mine who taught band in Wheaton last year told me we learn about 5% of what we need to know about teaching in college, about 10% when we student teach, and the rest we have to learn from actual teaching experience. This means that throughout our teaching career, we will be constantly learning, changing, and possibly reforming what we do. A few ways to do this include the required continuing certification that is needed in most states, attending workshops and courses, and being a part of MENC. The article Reflections of Beginning Music Teachers in the “Music Educators Journal” quotes one first-year middle school band director, “Musically, I was inexperienced in knowing what to listen for in my ensembles. One can never have enough rehearsal technique, and I’ll continue to gain more by going to summer workshops and bringing in guest clinicians” (Krueger, 51). This may have just been a beginning teacher, but the same ideas are used throughout music education by teachers and can be helpful tools to continue learning and growing.

Krueger, Patti J. (2001). “Reflections of Beginning Music Teachers.” Music Educators Journal.