For those of you who don't know, I have recently graduated from
Pacific Lutheran University with a degree in music education. I decided
to go on this amazing Austria, Slovakia and Czech Republic trip to
continue my education as well as experience music in the places it was
premiered. The other day I went to the Vienna's Chapel of the Imperial
Palace and attended my first mass. If seeing a very traditional service
in a beautiful chapel wasn't enough, I was heard the Vienna Boys' Choir
perform (along with talented tenors and basses) Mozart's Coronation
Mass.
Sitting
and listening to the boys' choir reminded me of my student teaching
experience. No, it wasn't because our choirs we're up to the Vienna
Boys' Choir caliber, but because you could tell that the conductor had
extremely high expectations. Student teaching at the elementary level
has taught me many things, the most important being to have nothing but
the highest expectations of your students. Once you do that, you'll be
amazed at what children can do. In the beginning of student
teaching, my worst mistake was thinking, "oh, that's too hard for them,"
or "I'm going to figure out an easier version for you to play." When it
comes to teaching children, these are thoughts you need to stay away
from. Matt, my cooperating teacher, told me that if you don't believe
children can do something and hold them back, then they'll believe they
can't do it and put themselves in a box. Your students will be
successful if you have high expectations, believe in their capabilities
and provide them with the knowledge they need to get there. Not only
will you be surprised, but truly amazed at what your students are
capable of.
After listening to the Vienna Boys' Choir, it
helped reignite my passion for teaching. I can't wait until I have my
own classroom and can direct an ensemble with a similar teaching
philosophy.
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