GOOD TEACHING IS GOOD TEACHING
Good teaching happens in all sorts of settings and with students of all ages. Good teaching, wherever it happens, has a certain set of attributes, values, and dispositions.
I have carefully selected the faculty members who teach for me in the Music Education Program. I wanted to ensure that our students would have good teaching modeled for them in their own classes and learning experiences, just as they were thinking about becoming better teachers themselves. Ryan underscored that I have been successful in this area, and I am thrilled to hear it.
I also wanted my faculty members to be deeply connected to the real world of music education practice in public schools. Most of them either are currently teaching in public school settings or have recently taught there. It is very important to me that Boston Conservatory prepare music educators for the real world of public school music teaching. An “ivory tower” faculty does not interest me, for the purposes of our program.
I also have been deeply committed to developing within my students the habits of mind of collegiality and ongoing professional development. To that end, it has been important to me that the Music Education Department’s faculty be active in professional organizations and in their own professional development. I am proud to say that many of our ranks are active in Massachusetts Music Educators Association, MICCA, ACDA, MAJE, ASTA, and other organizations. This helps our students to see the many benefits of joining and contributing to these and other groups. Every year, when my students attend the MMEA Conference, this point is made loud and clear, as they encounter their professors in leadership roles in these organizations.
Thank you, Ryan, for helping me and your graduate student colleagues to appreciate one of my deepest underlying values as a music teacher educator.
