I am in my eighth year teaching general music: composing, singing, reading, improvisation, guided listening and more. I currently teach at Woodstock Elementary Schooll in Woodstock, GA where I serve over 1200 students from Kindergarten to 5th grade. Previously I taught at Frances Willard Elementary in Kansas City and Ralya Elementary in Haslett, MI.
I would say that I am most greatly influenced by the Orff Schulwerk approach. I've taken my Orff Levels and am formally certified in Orff Schuluwerk. That said, I really love the work of John Feierabend and how he blends the techniques of several other scholars. I'm also so fascinated by the Kodaly approach and would love to take a level or two of that... Check back with me in 10 years and we'll see what's happened.
Nominated for Kansas Horizon Award for first year teachers (sponsored by Kansas State Department of Education), nominated for district STAR teacher, students have been asked on multiple occasions to sing for the school board and for special events held by the Superintendent. Presented at music educator state conventions and local workshops around the country.
BA: Greenville College (IL) Vocal Music and Worship Arts. MA: University of Missouri - Kansas City Choral Conducting and Music Education. Three years of special training on Strategic Thinking and the ARTS (STArts) through the University of Kansas. ESL/ELL endorsement. Orff Level I, II, and III. and Master Class
I have worked for over 11 years with an organization called Royal Family KIDS through their Royal Family Kids Camp (RFKC) program. RFKC is a camp for kids ages 6-12 who have been abused or neglected. This has given me substantial experience with kids who have disabilities, behavioral disorders, emotional disorders, ADHD/ADD, and/or are somewhere on the Autism spectrum. It also means that I know how to play and have fun (which might be even more important)!
PreK, Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, Higher Education, Adult Education, Homeschool, Staff, Not Grade Specific
English Language Arts, Creative Writing, Reading, Specialty, Math, Arts & Music, Visual Arts, Graphic Arts, Music, Music Composition, Vocal Music, Instrumental Music, Other (Music), Physical Education, Special Education, Drama, EFL - ESL - ELD, For All Subject Areas, Literature, School Counseling, Character Education, Instructional Technology, Library Skills, Holidays/Seasonal, Thanksgiving, Christmas/ Chanukah/ Kwanzaa, Halloween, Dance, Valentine's Day, Presidents' Day, Black History Month, St. Patrick's Day, Easter, Spring, For All Subjects, Women's History Month, Classroom Community