Page 6 - 2018-BMR-April

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Passing the Torch Strategies

For Mentoring Student Teachers

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Daniel Allen, 2017 18 TBA Secretary
I hope your Spring Semester has have them constantly copying music, Rehearsal
been a successful one. In thinking of organizing the music library, going on Strategies
topics for this article, I was reminded a Starbuck’s run, or just sitting idly by • Eventually,
by someone that I and my long-time and doing nothing. your student
colleague, Bruce Beach, have had the Getting Started teacher will
honor and privilege to work with many • On the first few days, help your need the
student teachers over our 20 years student teacher get acclimated to opportunity
here at Franklin H.S. I have so many the campus. Introduce them to the to run a full
fond memories of my student teaching principal and front office staff, head rehearsal. To
experience and was blessed to have custodian, campus security, and the help prepare for this, take it one step
been with such great teachers: Steve other Fine Arts teachers in your area. at a time. You could start by having
Musser, Bill Centera, Royce Coatney, • Make sure to get them any them work with individuals or small
Sherry Miller, and David Cote. required items they might need such groups on specific things that you
Many of you have had or will as a campus ID/badge, parking sticker, indicate. Make sure to follow up with
have the opportunity to work with Teacher Handbook, and any necessary the student teacher afterwards.
student teachers. I want to discuss online access. • To prepare for the student teacher’s
some important ideas and strategies • Make them aware of school district first few full ensemble rehearsals,
that will hopefully help you in your dress code for teachers. Remind them schedule time for you both to sit
mentorship of future music educators. to dress appropriately. down together and develop the lesson
Just a thought before we begin—the • Check to see if they need to plan. Since this is the first rehearsal,
time a student teacher spends with sign in daily or perhaps some other it might be a good idea to ease them
you will have a lifetime of influence on type of procedure that your campus/ into it. Maybe start by having them go
their teaching career and the future of district might have in place for student through the warm-up/daily drill, and
music education in Texas. teachers. then progress into adding one or more
Here are some thoughts and • Many universities will ask the pieces of music. Keep things simple
suggestions:
supervising teachers to maintain an and not complicated at first. This
Know Your Role as a online assessment and attendance will help the student teacher develop
Supervising Teacher record. This might require a bit of confidence and overcome the anxiety
• This is an INCREDIBLE time for you to set up and remember of those first few times standing in
opportunity to share ideas and can be to do the required assessments on a front of students. It is a good idea to let
an awesome chance for you to learn a timely basis. the students know ahead of time that
few things too! • For the first week, maybe two, the student teacher will be doing part
• Remember that you will need let the student teacher observe your of the rehearsal. I would recommend
to set aside some time to sit down rehearsals. This will allow them to get giving very detailed rehearsal plans
with your student teacher and discuss to know your daily routines and to take at first to help guide them. Again,
things from the day’s rehearsals and notes on what they are hearing and debriefing with the student teacher
events. That one on one time will seeing. It is very important to have a afterwards will be very important.
be GREATLY APPRECIATED by your debrief at the end of the day to go over • If possible, allow multiple
student teacher. their observations and to answer any rehearsal opportunities throughout
• Your student teacher is wanting to of their questions. Encourage them to the semester: individual, small group,
have a great educational experience, write down questions as they think of sectionals, guard rehearsal, mariachi
so it’s probably not a good idea to them during the day. rehearsal, Sight Reading process, jazz

Bandmasters Review • April 2018 4 Texas Bandmasters Association