pesentations

This session will focus on supporting diversity through culturally responsive teaching and social and emotional learning. Attendees will learn practical ways to support diversity and build a culture that promotes social and emotional development. The session will be interactive and provide attendees with resources to take back to their classroom.

 In this session I will talk about my experience teaching in the inner city, Indianapolis Public Schools, for nine years. During this time I was faced with many challenges including financial constraints, lack of equipment, apathetic staff, administration, and students, and many others, but this did not deter me from having a successful program. I will share best practices to overcome these challenges while faced with colleagues and public opinion who said it was impossible. It is my belief that nothing is impossible and that no student is unreachable. Urban school students deserve the same challenging and rewarding access to music education as every other student.  

I will address areas of recruitment, retention, financial concerns, equipment, and pedagogy. My students traveled to NYC, won state championships, and played on the same stage with famous musicians from all over the country. These things can happen in all our schools, not just those with means. We need passionate and dedicated teachers with the right tools to bring music to all students.

In this session we will discuss, based on my experience and research, ways to develop a successful band program in an urban school. We will bust myths and stereotypes that have plagued urban band programs and provide creative solutions to challenges that do exist. Attendees will leave this session with resources and proven solutions to common issues likebudgets, scheduling, instrumentation, and travel.

In this session,we will discuss creative and innovative ways to keep students motivated and engaged. With a foundation in learning theory and social and emotional learning, practical solutions to apathy, anxiety, and fixed mindsets will be presented. Attendees will participate in an interactive session that will provide resources, ideas, and activities to implement in their classroom.

In this session we will discuss utilizing different strategies, procedures, and pedagogies, to createefficient rehearsals that create a path to success for small bands. The successful small band, onand off the field, is not a unicorn,but a well-planned and efficient machine. Directors will leavethe session with strategies to create an efficient rehearsal that will keep students motivated andon task.