Teaching Philosophy Lauren Hennig

I have found teaching to be exhilarating. Nothing gives me a

greater feeling than that which happens after a lesson has gone well. As
a teacher, my goals are to instill a passion for knowledge while creating
a safe environment for students to grow as musicians. To me, the
challenges of teaching sufficiently outweigh the rewards and benefits.
In addition to band and orchestra, I have experience teaching
beginning guitar and AP music theory. As a teacher, I believe it is my
responsibility to know who my learners are, what kinds of knowledge or
experience they bring to the class, and what they want to accomplish.
This will help me construct a curriculum that best suits their needs. In
any course I teach, I bring with me a life-long love for music that will
inspire students. A goal of mine is to maximize all students musical
abilities while creating independent and creative musicians. I believe
that the environment of a music classroom needs to be both exciting
and academic, one that supports risk-taking and creativity.
All of my music students will be provided with consistent and
predictable routines. My goals and announcements for the days are
clearly outlined in a daily updated PowerPoint shown at the beginning of
each class. Also I aim to optimize all learning styles by providing music
activities that support auditory, kinesthetic, and visual learners. All of
my kinesthetic learners will be encouraged through the use of solfeggio

with accompanying Kurwen/Kodly hand signs and music movement

activities. I will do many music listening activities along with class
discussions to support all of my auditory learners. Visual learners will
quickly gain the support they need through many posters set up in the
classroom and flash cards used throughout lessons. I set high obtainable
expectations coupled with a plethora of teacher encouragement and
communication.
Music becomes a conundrum when trying to assess student
growth and knowledge. I have gained experiences using Breezin
Thru Theory. This is an online interactive workbook that cultivates
musicianship skills and theory basics. There is a pre-test to assess
where the students are at and what they come into your classroom
already knowing. At the end of the year I would administer the same
test as a post-test to see how much the students have learned.
Throughout the year I will assess their concert readiness and give
them opportunities to improve their playing on an individual and
group level. There will be playing tests on the music we are currently
learning that will be administered by section leader or teacher. They
will also be given time to work in student-led sectionals. After every
performance I will have the students write a performance evolution
on themselves and the group as a whole. This evaluation will include
things they thought went well and things they believe could be
improved on.

I believe all students, regardless of diverse backgrounds, are

capable of music learning. Many studies have shown that music helps
in all areas of learning. I believe music is such an important facet in
life for everyone. I bring an intense passion for teaching and a deep
love for music into the classroom.