First Year Music Ed: USM
April 13, 2010Bright eyes and eager faces
University of Southern Maine’s music educator Michele Kaschub invited me to her first year music education class. I found 17 attentive students who appeared interested in learning about the resources available to them.
It is difficult for me to remember back to my first year in my teacher training program. However I do remember parts of those early years fondly. In many ways teaching seemed so simple to me. I liked kids, I liked Art, that is all I thought I needed. I had many questions and at the same time I didn’t know what to ask or how to ask them.
The night before I visited Michele’s class I spoke to my younger son, who is in his first year of college and asked him what he thought I should share with the students. His first words were: “tell them how hard you have to work to be good at teaching”. Hmmmmmm, I thought!
So, I did and I shared the resources that are available to them as they are to all educators, parents, school board members, administrators and anyone else who cares about arts education and wants to learn more.
I have heard from one student since the meeting with an idea that she is working on for the near future. I will share her ideas and other information about her in the near future here on the meartsed blog.
And for the entire class, I wish them the best of luck as they start (and for some continue) on their journey to becoming the best music educator there is in Maine! Anyone have some words of wisdom they’d like to share to a young person just starting their career in education. Please post your comments.
me arts ed 
I started out my college life as a music education major and ended up working in arts education, not the music classroom, but I think I can share some tips.
Don’t be afraid to take a risk by thinking outside the box.
Start each class exciting students with your love of the art form and asking them to share theirs.
Collaborate with colleagues in other content areas, but don’t lose touch with other music educators in your district.
Inject music wherever possible into every school day.
Learn to laugh and not take yourself too seriously.
Always be overprepared.