#musedchat Archive
Each Monday evening at 8PM EST, music teachers get together and share ideas about important topics within music education. It’s a great chance to interact directly with educators from all over the world and to get new tips and tricks to help you succeed in the classroom. The entire #musedchat discussion is organized and moderated by Joe Guarr.
Monday October 24, 2016
It's time for ! Our topic tonight: Mentorship in music education. Be sure to introduce yourself!
Hey people! Jason, choral & theatre teacher from MA. Slightly distracted but present. Hope y’all had a great Monday!
Good evening Jason, welcome. My Monday was decent, how about yours?
Really good. My vocal ensembles slayed in rehearsal all day today!
Hey , Aubrey, 5th-8th orchestra, from Colorado here tonight!
How are you tonight, Aubrey?
Good evening - happy Monday! Melissa from CNY- 4-5-6 band director.
Hi Melissa, hope you're doing well tonight
Doing alright! Feeling pretty tired - in the middle of conferences right now.
That always makes for a long day
Burton Hable, Assistant Director of Bands at Centennial HS in Ankeny, IA. Pooping in and out tonight
Phyllis from Baton Rouge, 5th/6th Grade gm & choir - catching the 1st half of before teaching a private lesson
LOL outstanding typo :) Good to see you Burton
Hope you're doing well tonight, Phyllis
Andrea. 6-12 band. Alberta, Canada.
Hi Andrea, how are you tonight?
Hi All! Amy from MI. Middle school band.
Good evening to you Amy, hope your Monday was a good one
1 more time. Burton Hable. Centennial HS in Ankeny, IA. POPPING in and out tonight :)
Q1: Does your district/building pair young teachers with a mentor? What does that relationship look like?
A1: Yes - induction. Some meetings, some observations (both ways), some ongoing dialogue. Really depends on the ppl involved.
It was okay. First concert of the year tomorrow, some excited and energetic kiddos.
A1: They do, but I didn’t get one since, though I’m in my first year, I had been teaching prior to this year.
Good evening! Erin from Kansas City. 😊 K, 4th, and 6th gm/choir.
Welcome to the chat Erin, great to have you with us
A1: they pair within a school. The relationship depends on how much the two teachers choose to interact.
Have fun! I really need to set up some kind of fall performance to our schedule. What grades do you have perform?
I had a great relationship w/my mentor. But that's not everyone's story. Personalities = important when matching.
A1 No. But ALL teachers are required to do a peer observation
A1 Our district does, as well as our band directors association. First two years: in-building mentor and retired director mentor
A1: Every new teacher gets paired w/ a mentor for a few years. Mine was great, learned a lot about the school
Good evening! Sorry I'm late. Tim, Band Director from Ohio.
A1: I personally, am still close to my mentor teacher from 23 years ago. We still discuss kids and our teaching
Ideally, this is how all of these mentor teacher relationships should be! https://t.co/4fPzwpiIQu
A1: I personally, am still close to my mentor teacher from 23 years ago. We still discuss kids and our teaching
A1: My mentor at my previous assignment was phenomenal. Master teacher with a sharp sense of humor.
A1: State of Ohio requires a mentor for new teachers (through a program called Resident Educator).
Including private/charter teachers?
A1 Both my mentors were outstanding! Orchestra director in 1st school, and my retired HS director Others were not so fortunate
A1: I was paired with a Spanish T for my 1st few years. Found my own unofficial mentor through an awesome road rep.
It's the initial teaching license (4 Year Resident Educator). So, any private or charter that requires certification.
Mentorship is incredibly important to our dual field of music and education.
A1: Because our district is small, my mentor is an art teacher. She's awesome!
A1: Paired as a first year teacher for procedural things, no peer reviews. My mentor helps me de-stress on the daily!
I personally do not think subject matters to the pairing. Matching personalities matters more.
Q2: Have you mentored, either a young teacher or student teacher? What were your expectations for yourself and your mentee?
YES. Good teaching is good teaching.
Absolutely. The things you can learn from a good mentor go far beyond subject.
A2 no. But would love to in the future
A2: I haven’t but would love to someday, should someone see me fit.
but there are only 2 band teachers in our whole division. So subject pairing is difficult
A2: Feel steeped in this right now w/2 practicum students & team teaching w/3 new Ts & 1 new to strings. Unofficial mentoring.
True. But there are unique things we encounter in music that other Ts don't. Nice to have someone w/ experience.
A2: No, but I would love to in the future. I would like to see OMEA develop a mentorship program.
Absolutely. We think the same way!
A2 : Yes, student teacher. Had high expectations that tchr would jump into tchng & that I could provide p… https://t.co/Gvj1whv2jV
Q2: Have you mentored, either a young teacher or student teacher? What were your expectations for yourself and your mentee?
A2a: Expectations? Good communication. Professional. Desire to learn & grow. I can work w/almost anything else.
I think MSBOA has one, but it might vary district to district.
A2: Haven't yet, but would love to in the future. Almost had a student teacher this year, but it didn't work out.
Yes, just the way it worked out this year! I'm loving it & wouldn't trade it, but it's a lot of work!
My mentor teaches art. I love that I have her in-district & music mentors from out-of-district student teaching to turn to.
A:1 District Laura with mentor, musings always tough. Often only elem tchr in bldg, out on your own or p… https://t.co/5nceQPOPT5
Q1: Does your district/building pair young teachers with a mentor? What does that relationship look like?
Several of our OMEA districts have active mentorship programs. I would like to see it statewide.
It's been short but sweet but I have a voice lesson to teach. Till next time!
A2: Getting student teacher #2 in the spring. Have to get them lots of teaching time and specific feedback
A2: Not yet, this is my first year but I'd love to one day. In the future I'd love more collaboration as a mentor with my mentee.
It's a challenge to manage rehearsal needs vs teaching time for new T in class. Often not quite as efficient as they learn :-).
Q3: Mentoring from students view. Do you use your students as mentors with other students? What are their responsibilities?
A3: Yes, w/lots of coaching. Peer tutors in class = help w/tuning, ind/small group help. Some logistics too. (1/2)
After school helpers = ind/small group practice, while I'm around (supervising but doing my own work like emails). (2/2)
It's the natural learning curve! As a coop teacher, I just have to think/plan ahead for this!
A3: Love using peer tutoring. Usually informal for me. "Show your neighbor that fingering."
What sort of practice do you give your kids before having them lead some of those things?
Depends, by 8th grade, I've had 'em for 4 years, I know 'em well. Usually just convos, then on-the-job coaching.
That's a good one. So many chances for interactions like that in every class.
We also do sectionals & lots of in-class help, so they have naturally embedded practice helping peers.
my expectation is to help them figure out what kind of teacher they are. Strength/weakness.
A3: Students lead warmups in class, assessing & guiding. Looking to grow to section leaders as choir spends more time together.
A3: I encourage student ownership as well. Sectionals, one-on-one help, etc.
disagree w/subject pairing. Personality. I am open to working w/ someone who wants do to do what I do.
limited fashion. Student has to be a model for the program in all facets - skill, temperament and leadership style.
Student-led warmups are a great thing. What sort of stuff do you have them assess?
Antoine Buttigieg here sorry I'm late I'll catch up...
A1 up here in Ontario we have a mentorship called NTIP new teacher induction program. It's mandatory with all new teachers.
I try to provide them with their own desk and work area. Tough at points in a busy music room.
Definitely important to have all of those things. Conflict can flare up easily, especially w/ younger ones
A2 are you talking about mentoring a student from teachers college or a hired full time teacher?
I often record short voice memos on my phone while observing teaching sessions so I don't miss an emerging moment.
A2 those who usually jump in tend to be more successful than those who stand back and want to observe
A2 not to say it bluntly but you either have it or you don't especially in music.
several have mentioned but an in rehearsal buddy system can help with fingerings.
A buddy system has been a lifesaver with my 8th graders this year. Several brand new kids, huge class.
, can I ask a ? sparked by the orch FB group (topic for a future chat)? I'd love to hear about how you use tech in a music class.
I like seeing the self-starter student teacher. Don't wait to see if you can be helpful, BE HELPFUL!
A2- I have student teacher #6 coming this winter and have mentored officially and unofficially- it can be rewarding
totally agree. You can't be a successful Director of music by being passive.
I'll add to the list for future chats!
