INTASC 9

STANDARD 9: Professional Learning and Ethical Practice

The teacher engages in ongoing professional learning and uses evidence to continually evaluate his/her practice, particularly the effects of his/her choices and actions on others (learners, families, other professionals, and the community) and adapts practice to meet the needs of each learner.

An educator must be professional at all times whenever interacting with anyone with his/her practice. As an educator I must acknowledge and abide by the student-teacher relationship. Any breach beyond that relationship (i.e. becoming close friends with or creating romantic relationships with students, etc.) will drastically affect his/her career. In addition to maintaining professionalism, an educator must also never stop learning. I, as a music educator, should constantly evaluate my own teaching strategies and their effectiveness. As an educator, it is imperative that my students have the best possible instruction and knowledge for learning.

As a future music educator, I see the ramifications of breaking the student-teacher relationship. The outcomes of such unprofessionalism are broadcasted on the news regularly, usually resulting in the loss of jobs and jail sentencing. When I become an educator, I know not to become "friends" with my students. If I become too close to students, then they will no longer view and respect me as an educator--they will only see me as a peer. While it is important to connect with my students, it is important that I maintain my professionalism. I am the teacher and they are my students. In addition to maintaining the student-teacher relationship, I will also maintain and improve my practice. There is always room for improvement. If I never stop learning, then I am able to change my teaching style to be more effective and beneficial for my students. It is imperative I create the best possible learning environment for my students; therefore, I must continually evaluate my own teaching to make sure it is up to my expectations. As I am just beginning my teaching career, there is still a lot to learn before I can become successful.

I will continue my education at Ball State University in order to better acquaint myself with what exactly it means to remain professional in the classroom. Through continued courses such as my education courses, as well as discussions and observations with my professors, I will learn how to be a professional music educator. This learning can also be gained through my field experience from working with students throughout my courses.

MUSE 355: String Methods

An educator should be in a state of constant learning. Just because we are now the teacher, does now mean that I know everything. I should be seeking out new opportunities to learn, grow, and expand my knowledge about strings and ways of rehearsing and ensemble and teaching strategies. This can be done by attending professional development conferences such as the Indiana Music Educators Association (IMEA), American String Teachers Association (ASTA), or the National Association for Music Educators (NAfME). In addition to professional development, I can ask my collogues in my school district, or neighboring school district, questions related to strings or teaching that I may have. In addition to asking question, I understand that my style of teaching and running a string program does not only reflect on me, but also my program and school. I should be conscious of my actions and the effects they may have on my program, school, and district.

Peer Teaching Reflection

MUSE 375: Band Methods

An educator I should be in a state of constant learning. Just because we are now the teacher, does now mean that I know everything. There are plenty of teaching strategies, concepts, skills, and genres that I do not know or know well. I should be seeking out new opportunities to learn, grow, and expand my knowledge about band and ways of rehearsing and ensemble and teaching strategies. This can be done by attending professional development conferences such as the Indiana Music Educators Association (IMEA), National Band Association (NBA) or the National Association for Music Educators (NAfME).

In addition to professional development, I can ask my collogues in my school district, or neighboring school district, questions related to concert band, marching band, jazz band, etc. or teaching that I may have. In addition to asking question, I understand that my style of teaching and running a band program does not only reflect on me, but also my program and school. I should be conscious of my actions and the effects they may have on my program, school, and district.