Julianne Breen

      Life is like a JOURNEY. Like a winding path in the forest. It can be beautiful and miraculous, yet it will always have its ups and downs; its twists and turns. Your school education is only one part of that journey, yet it is a part that is full of questions and discovery; of change and development. Therefore, as a teacher, I will aim to assist my students through this leg of the trail in many ways.

 

EQUIP
      I will equip my students with the skills and tools that they need to succeed in life. Things such as discipline, teamwork, confidence, and hard work. These can all be achieved through the amazing power of music. In a musical sense, I hope to equip my students with the skills and tools that go beyond the musical elements to things such as improvisation and creativity

 

GIFTS, TALENTS, & ABILITIES

     I want to help my students discover their gifts, talents, and abilities and I want to constantly encourage them to use them and take risks. I want to encourage my students to develop their gifts, both musical and non-musical, so that they can continue to use these gifts after school.

 

GUIDE

     As a teacher, I will seek to guide and lead my students along this path to the best of my ability, yet I will always seek opportunities to allow them to lead as well. Sometimes I will let them lead, because, as a teacher, I can learn just as much from them as they can learn from me.

 

DEVELOP LEADERSHIP

     I want to develop leadership and strong characters in my students, so that they learn responsibility, gain confidence, and inspire those around them. This can also positively develop music education. By having students in leadership positions, they can make decisions on how they and their peers learn music, so that it is done in a way that is meaningful and beneficial to them in and out of school.

 

OPEN MIND, LOVE LEARNING

     I want to teach my students to have an open, creative mind ready to learn new and different things. I want them to love learning, to be curious and to ask questions, and ultimately, I want them to seek truth. Having creativity in mind is a very important thing. As Brinkman said in his article:

"We know that a good teacher must combine musical artistry

with the artistry of teaching...the glue that holds those two

ideas together is the concept of creativity."

     Open-mindedness is a two-way collaborative process. For example, students should be open to learning about new and different music that their teachers are trying to expose them to, such as Classical music. While at the same time, teachers should be open to learning about music that their students are familiar with, such as pop music.

 

COMMUNITY

     I want my classroom to be welcoming, and I want to celebrate differences. I want to build strong community because we're human, and we are made to be in relationship with each other, and no one is ever meant to navigate this crazy journey alone. Hourigan explains why it is so important to have community in a classroom, especially a music classroom. He said:

"How a person feels about his or her value to a group 

can directly affect his or her self-worth or self-identity."

He also said:

"It is hoped that a student's music classroom can be a 

safe haven where the student feels that he or she belongs."

     In an interview with my high school music teacher, I asked her what she considered her greatest accomplishment. This was her answer:

"...you look at kids who struggle or don't appear to have

many good things going on, and you see them keep 

coming back year after year and find belonging or peace

or inspiration through being involved with music.

...I hope that I set up a vibe that allows kids like that

to become a part of it. There are different areas of high 

school life where different kids don't always feel 

welcome, and I try to make people feel welcome here."

     Community-building in the classroom is important, but the sense of community can go beyond the school walls. I will plan on bringing my students into the broader community so that people of all ages will be able to experience music and the sense of community that it can bring.

 

HAVE FUN

     I want my students to have fun! To be creative, to make lasting, genuine friendships, and to simply be goofy.

 

CELEBRATE THE JOURNEY

     I want my students to celebrate the journey. To rejoice in successes, learn from failures, and to have a positive outlook on life. When I asked my high school music teacher why she chose to teach music specifically, this is what she said:

"I guess you could say I enjoyed teaching period, and so 

I've always gotten a kick out of working with people and

going with them on their journey. In all of my experience,

I don't find anything as rewarding as teaching music, and

watching what that journey can do."

 

     As a teacher, I know that I will play just a small role in the journies of my students; and I know that when they leave school, their journies are not only not complete, but they will become more challenging. I hope that my students leave well equipped with the skills and knowledge that they need so that they are better prepared for the road ahead.