I was just hired as a music teacher after 20 years as a classroom teacher. I will be teaching 4th-6th. I’m super excited, but this is also new territory for me! Your video is giving me all kinds of great ideas! Thank you!
This is pure gold. I’ve taught for 25 years, and this is spot on. Thanks Becca! I loved your idea of the eye contact as a routine for the teacher. I’m going to use this idea daily. Yes, with 25 different classes-you are so right about the details. They have another teacher all day, and it’s easy to forget that sometimes. 🤣
Hello Becca, I am a music teacher from Madrid, Spain. I wanted to thank you because your videos are so useful for me! You give me so many good ideas and motivation! I use a lot of your songs and resources in my lessons. I hope you are well and I wish you the best!
I love your videos, but I feel compelled to point out that neurodivergent people may have not be able to make eye contact consistent or at all. It can be painful for some of us and it can actually make it harder for us to listen.
Hi. I am newly graduated from a masters in teaching program and would like to be a lower elementary general education teacher, but all that is available to me right now is a K-5 Music position. I do not have a background in music but I’m excited for a fun challenge. I was a dancer and performed in a musical, did choir for a year in HS, taught preschool (where you sing a lot) and have only general familiarity with music. I don’t even know how to play an instrument outside of learning the ukulele off of RU-vid a few years ago and am feeling super under qualified. This video is my first dive into “getting educated” on being a music teacher. Do you have any advice on where to even start? I’m excited to learn but feel like it’s going to be an extra challenge for me since I don’t have a degree/background in music.
First of all, congrats! Second, you’ll have way more fun teaching music. You can totally get away without using instruments- you can use recorded music and you can do A LOT on the main 3 chords of the ukulele. Teach some songs, play lots of games, and you’re going to be great!
Thank you so much for your perspective and helpful tips! I’m going back to school to become a music teacher and I have quite a long road of school to do. I feel like I’m already behind because I’ve been out of high school for almost 10 years now. If you don’t mind me asking, how old were you when you first started teaching? And do you have any advice for someone starting later in life?
I've been a guitar and bass instructor for over a decade... an elementary school near me has an opening for a k-6 general music teacher.. I don't have full classroom experience but wondering if anyone has advice on the transition from teaching one one lessons and full classroom. Thanks
Unfortunately, this is a common problem, and I've been there. It will not be easy, but the first thing that you need to do is teach them when to be quiet. Get a quiet symbol or call back, and PRACTICE. Every time you do the call back and they get quiet, give them a point towards game time or a stick or something. With really unruly classes, utilize videos. Body percussion play alongs and rhythm play alongs are great, because you can get everyone focused on that while you put out fires and deal with other things. It is possible to get them under control (again, been there many times) but it's not easy. I'm sorry you're dealing with that. Hope a few of these things help.
