Creating Community, Giving a Voice
I am an aspiring music educator and am trying to take every opportunity to gain experience so I can be a better teacher. I believe the only way to learn how to be a teacher is to be in the classroom, so I take every opportunity to do this. I strive for excellence and live by the concept of being the kind of student I want to teach.
I want to be a teacher that students feel comfortable approaching, and I want to open doors for students, while giving them another voice to express themselves with. Music should be a community that students feel accepted in, and I want to create a classroom that is a safe place for students. My classroom is a place where it is okay to make mistakes, as some of the best learning happens from our mistakes. As a teacher, I am a representative of my subject area, so I need to create a great impression for both music students and non-music students. I aim to create a classroom where all races, gender identities, ethnicities, religions, and backgrounds are accepted. No student will ever be turned away. It is my responsibility to give an education to all that want to learn.
I have been inspired by my previous band directors, who showed me I had a voice and believed in me when I didn't believe in myself. They had a clear passion for their work, and this helped me truly love music. My private and group instructors pushed me to be the best person that I could be, both in and out of music. They encouraged me to explore topics of interest, as well as topics that would challenge me. My private instructors did not allow me to permanently settle within my comfort zone and pushed me to explore concepts that scared me.
I think music is what links people in our communities at home, as well as globally. Music is the universal language that connects us in times of struggle, as well as times of prosper. Music is essential to a well-rounded education and helps people learn things like critical thinking and creative thinking skills. Everyone that desires an education in music deserves one, which is why I will strive to create an open classroom and never turn away a student.
I want to be a teacher that students feel comfortable approaching, and I want to open doors for students, while giving them another voice to express themselves with. Music should be a community that students feel accepted in, and I want to create a classroom that is a safe place for students. My classroom is a place where it is okay to make mistakes, as some of the best learning happens from our mistakes. As a teacher, I am a representative of my subject area, so I need to create a great impression for both music students and non-music students. I aim to create a classroom where all races, gender identities, ethnicities, religions, and backgrounds are accepted. No student will ever be turned away. It is my responsibility to give an education to all that want to learn.
I have been inspired by my previous band directors, who showed me I had a voice and believed in me when I didn't believe in myself. They had a clear passion for their work, and this helped me truly love music. My private and group instructors pushed me to be the best person that I could be, both in and out of music. They encouraged me to explore topics of interest, as well as topics that would challenge me. My private instructors did not allow me to permanently settle within my comfort zone and pushed me to explore concepts that scared me.
I think music is what links people in our communities at home, as well as globally. Music is the universal language that connects us in times of struggle, as well as times of prosper. Music is essential to a well-rounded education and helps people learn things like critical thinking and creative thinking skills. Everyone that desires an education in music deserves one, which is why I will strive to create an open classroom and never turn away a student.
My Vision
My vision as an educator is to build a classroom where students can discover themselves and find their voice. I want to develop unique programs that grant opportunities to all students, even if they aren't in my classes. My goal is to show students all of the opportunities in music beyond performance, and develop the inner leader in all of them. I want my students to feel comfortable challenging norms and asking questions, because conversation is extremely important, especially in our society that is so reliant on technology. I hope to help shape my students to be active members of society that want to learn more about their communities and how to unify them. People underestimate the power of music, and I want to show this power to my students so they can become as passionate about music as I am. It is not my goal to make every one of my students into professional musicians; I just want to educate well-rounded students and build their appreciation for music that will last a lifetime.
Lexie Rowland
Hello! My name is Lexie Rowland, and I am an elementary and middle school Orchestra Director in Arlington Public Schools. I completed my BMus in Instrumental Music Education, Magna Cum Laude, with Distinction in Music at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia. I have played the flute for 13+ years and piccolo for 10+ years. As a student, I have performed in a variety of ensembles, small and large, from concert band, to orchestra and jazz band. I have always been afforded many opportunities in music, and I want to share my love of it with future generations. When I'm not engaging in musical work, I love to spend time with my family and attend Washington Nationals baseball games in Washington, DC. I can be contacted via email at [email protected].
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