I teach over 400 students in grades 4-12 at five different school sites. My responsibilities beyond a regular teaching load include managing and maintaining four instrument inventories worth over $200,000, planning concerts and performances for special events, advocating for the arts, building my classroom from scratch every day, communicating with the families of 400 students, adapting my teaching style to meet the needs of 9 different grade levels, and keeping track of five separate school schedules. The first half of my day is spent working with beginners on string, brass, and woodwind instruments. In addition to instrumental technique, I work on active listening and body awareness with my students. It is important for my students to know that being a musician is about more than how fast your fingers can move. My goal is for my students to create a sound that they enjoy making and practice being observant and mindful in their music-making.In the afternoons I work with middle school and high school students. We work on technique, critical listening, ensemble skills, practical music theory, and practice strategies. Sometimes we have listening sessions followed by class discussions. I can also adapt my lesson plans in the moment to better serve my students. This has resulted in lessons about improvisation, minimalist/process music, Irish fiddle tunes, beatboxing, the science of learning, and college auditions. My next goal is to incorporate more composing of various types into my secondary classes. I enjoy getting to see how students progress over the years. The student I meet in fourth grade is very different from the one who walks across the stage at graduation. Even though my job is large in scope, I am still able to build meaningful relationships with my students. At the center of what I do is empathy and an open mind.

I was a music teacher for six sites, including five elementary schools and one middle school. I taught strings and woodwinds. My curriculum included music theory, aural skills development, singing and solfege, introduction to composition, sight-reading, and music history in addition to instrumental skills.

I started the Live Music Orchestra in 2015 with the desire of creating a space where young musicians can challenge themselves and gain ensemble skills. The group had humble beginnings with only five or six students and grew to about twenty students. The orchestra performed throughout the year, both in concert and at private events.