During my student
teaching experience I kept a reflection journal of my teaching
experiences. Reflecting each week helps me become a
better teacher because I can look at days that I was a good
teacher and analyze why a particular lesson was
successful. I can also look at lesson that did not work
as well as I hoped and make changes to my plans to make them
more successful. I am able to look at areas of my
teaching that need to be refined and make necessary
adjustments. I know master teachers are not created
overnight. So I must constantly reflect and think of new
ways to be the best teacher that I can be.
Student Teaching Reflection
Journal
This January, I
attended the Indiana Music Educators Association convention
which is the state affiliate of MENC. During this
weekend I was able to learn about new trends in music
education. I was also able aquire new ways to teach a variety
of musical concepts. One of the highlights of the
convention was when my advising teacher, Mrs. Jan Morris,
presented a seminar on teaching students about improvisation
with Ball State Professor Dr. Kimberly Burns, and MENC
National President-Elect Dr. Willie Hill. A group of 20
students from Royerton sang at this presentation. The
students sang vocal jazz improvizations with the Gershwin
tunes "I Got Rhythm" and "Summertime." Prior to the
convention I assisted with rehearsals, offered suggestions for
the presentations, and complied the rehearsal
notes.
Picture of the Royerton Jazz Kids performing with
Dr. Hill.
While at the
convention, I was able to attend other workshops where I
learned about new trends in general music education. I
was able to attend the following sessions: "Sing, Move, Play,
Create", "Improvisation with voice, movement, and M&Mís,"
and "Improvisation: A Creative Tool." I also attend an
elementary choral reading session where I was able to obtain
choral literature resources. All-State Honor Choirs also
performed at this convention. It was thrilling to have 3
students participate in the Childrenís Honor Choir and I was
able to observe new teaching strategies and techniques while
watching their rehearsals.
During student
teaching I completed 3 video reflections. These
reflections help me analyze strengths and weakness in my
teaching. I can then celebrate my strengths and reflect
on ways to adjust and adapt my teaching to make it more
successful in the future. I think that video reflections
will be helpful when I have a classroom of my own. In
the future, I will not have a cooperating teaching to give me
helpful hints or suggestions because it allows me to look at
my teaching and take what I know about teaching music, apply
it to my own teaching to make it better. Click on the
following links to view these video reflections:
Video Reflection #1
Video
Reflection #2
Video
Reflection #3
The diploma handed to an education
major on the day of graduation does not mark and end to
learning. Teachers need to be constantly learning how to
become better and better at what they do. The day that I want
to stop learning how to become a better educator, is the day
that I will resign or retire. Professional growth is essential
to continuall growth as a professional. | 
