The Stereotypes of Music Ed Majors

Here is a quick little venting session. I don't think some people realize that Music Majors know more about things other than music. Honestly, I know how wrestling and other sports work. I've seen my fair share of video games. I pay attention to politics. Why is it, that some people are under the impression that we are just music dorks and that thats what we do all day? Music isn't some "dorky" past-time. Music is another way to express feelings and emotions. It allows the audience to create their own story as they listen to the music, or; when given the story outline, can have another visual that the composer was envisioning while composing the piece. Music is a part of everyone's life in some way or another.

Also, I feel as though some people are under the impression that "us Music Majors have it easy". In high school I was the only string player. Not just high school, but k-12. I used to hear, "well getting a major in Music should be easy. You just have to play your instrument." Another thing I always heard from classmates was, "why do you always practice?" My response would be, "why do you practice everyday for football? What's the difference?"

I don't believe people really know how involved and time consuming becoming a Music Educator really is. We have an extremely heavy class/work load, rehearsals, lessons and on top of all of that, at least 2 hours of practice everyday (for instrumentalists that is). The credits for our music education k-12 minor is basically equivalent to that of a regular major. That's a lot of work. That is one of the reasons many people end up dropping their education minor and are just Music Majors. On top of that, there are the select few who are both Vocal AND Instrumental education majors. It will be a LOT of work, but I will graduate and do my student teaching in 9 semesters. Not only will I graduate from Luther with a Vocal and Instrumental Education Degree, but also a Sociology degree.

Michelle Rhee....."Can She Save Our Schools?"

Time Magazine: "Can She Save Our Schools?"

I guess I should consider myself lucky to have gone to a small public school in the middle of nowhere; away from gangs, violence, extreme poverty and away from the dangers and hardships of the urban city life. In Ed. Psych we were asked, "Would you be able to be a teacher in that district under her watch?" Many people would not; which is quite alright. I for one, want to be the best teacher I possibly can for students.

Quite recently I watched the movie "Lean On Me". If you haven't seen it yet, I highly recommend it. This movie reminds so much of the process that Rhee is taking. Get rid of the teachers and people who do not truly care about the students and are not helping the process. In Urban Schools, there is more disruption in classes. Some teachers have given up on the students. I think a big part of that is because they do not like the students. If you want your students you have to find something about them to like! How else are they going to respect you or even listen?! Another good movie to watch is "Freedom Writers" (or the book).

After watching these movies, and other "Inspirational Education Movies" I have been inspired even more to become an Educator. I am looking forward to what obstacles may come my way. Those obstacles may involve the situation facing the Washington D.C. public school district right now. More power to those who are trying to brighten the future of today's children.

Oreos and Stickers

I went into my last Monday night seminar for Ed. Psych assuming it would be the same typical lecture over a different topic. To my surprise we did something else. The other class had us close our eyes and put stickers on our foreheads (blue, yellow and/or red). After we all opened our eyes were given instructions: 1) you cannot talk or use sign language of any sort. 2) find your group.
After a few minutes, everyone was in their color-coated group. Knick had the people with the blue stickers sit in the way back, the people with the red stickers sat in the middle (which included me), and the 3 people with yellow stickers sat in the front. About 60% of the people in the class were labeled with the blue stickers and 5 of us were in the middle. So as we all just sat there, Knick's students gave a presentation on the book "The Last Lecture" by Randy Pausch. At the end of their presentation, the people in back were criticized for talking throughout and were then asked to recall what was said in the presentation. Let me just say that the response was not that great.

Now, think of all of this again. How does this relate to the classroom? How do you give assigned seats? Are the students in the back of your classroom achieving as high of grades of those in the front? Are students disturbing the learning process for others around them? Do you just put students you don't really want to deal with all together? I thought this Monday night was a the best lecture yet. It really made me think and keep in mind that everything you do as a teacher really matters and will have some sort of outcome with the students.

Then, all of a sudden, Knick asked, "so how did you choose or know which groups to go into?" Someone stated, "well, we all went with the people who the same color of stickers." His reply was, "who ever said that you had to be in groups like that? Why not your regular discussion groups?" ~Good point!~ Have you realized that we all just assume something, usually because it is the "norm" for things.

Now think about how you or your teachers do or have done grading. What do you notice?....
(to be continued...)

Cooperative Learning...the hard way

Just recently in Ed. Psych we were assigned group projects. As a group we had to create an I-Movie book presentation. I have to say, this was one of the most stressful group projects I have had to create. Not only was there a lot involved in order to get all of the necessary requirements accomplished, but me and my fellow group members had extremely busy schedules.

During class we had been discussing "Cooperative learning". This project was a good example of the problems with this process. When you are working in a group on one large project, someone is almost always going to end up doing a larger portion of the work. I am not saying that it happens intentionally, but when you have several people with different ideas or ways of doing things, sometimes it is difficult to find that true compromise. The idea of cooperative learning is good, but I feel it is not always the best way to go about things. In the school setting; students need to be able to work together with other students, it helps building social skills and problem solving. It also helps students realize that it is okay to be both a leader and a follower.

My answer

So here's the thing. Every time my father and I start talking about school he always ends up asking the same questions and saying the same things. Through all of the questions that he asks, there is one in particular that frustrates me; "Why don't you just go to Grad. school right and get your masters? You're talented and smart enough." My response everytime, "that's just not what I want to do with my life right now". Why is it that he doesn't seem to accept that? I have a goal set up in my mind for my future. I will become a music teacher and I want to work in the public school system. K-12 is the most crucial time in a child's life. I want to be an influential person that a student can trust, respect and remember down the road. I'm not looking for fame or wealth, I'm just looking to make a positive difference in someone's life. Yes, down the road I plan on getting my master's and hopefully teaching at the Collegiate level, but until that time comes I am going to be wherever my heart tells me to be.