This week we focused on Diversity. I've always knew I had to differentiate in my class because unlike any other class. In a music class everyone's skill level and knowledge is displayed in front of the entire class everyday. So being able to differentiate and adapt to everyone's individual needs is a necessity for teaching music.
Growing up in a public school playing music has definitely helped me to see how different musicians process and perform differently based on their culture and background. I've played with students who could afford private lessons growing up so they were obviously better and didn't require any attention when it came to teaching technique. I've also played with students who didn't have a parent. A friend of mine didn't have a father and so he had to take care of his mother and younger siblings. You could tell when his mother was having illnesses because he would fall asleep in class due to staying up all night. But to my surprise he would continue to play even when asleep. I looked up to him for that.
This upcoming week is pretty exciting because I will begin teaching my private studio. I will have six new violin students and some viola students. I have also cleared my schedule so I have no classes on Tuesdays. I'm going to use this time to go to my high school that I've been placed at as well as my old high school to begin teaching and observing.
Playing in the public school setting I know as well how your skills are shown in front of everyone. It was hard and nerve racking for some in my class to think that they were bad because they got a lower chair than you or others. I was always told that "Even last chair is important." As I got older I came to find out that, that was very true.
ReplyDeleteI am proud that you have more students and that you are teaching lessons. You are a great musician Billy and I know those students are learning a lot.