Application Questions
In your own handwriting, indicate your strengths which will enable you to contribute to the educational programs of this district. Indicate attributes which you feel could distinguish you from other candidates.
I feel my knowledge of technology will help me contribute to any educational setting. I have worked with both PC & Macintosh platforms with a wide range of software on each system, including the music notation software Finale. I have built webpages and currently maintain my own page dedicated to double bass and string education. In the past I have incorporated the internet in my curriculum as a tool for students to search the many vocational options available to them.
In your own handwriting, compose a statement describing your attitude toward education, the qualities of an outstanding teacher, and why you became a teacher.
In the space below please feel free to add any other information which you feel will be relevant to your candidacy
What are your three reason for wanting to be a teacher?
I became a teacher because of my excitement for music, my desire to share this excitement, and my love of learning. I enjoy all aspects of music and sharing this knowledge and energy is truly wonderful. I also love learning, a quality all teachers should possess. I am constantly exploring music and working to become a best musician I can be which translates into a better educational experience for my students.
How much do you want to know about your students in order to be most helpful to them?
As as much as necessary to be effective and helpful but one has to be careful to not to do much research prior to working with the student. This could create detrimental pre-conceptions about the student.
What three things do you most want to know about your students?
What do you need to know in order to begin your lesson planning for a class?
I want to know their learning style, their goals, and their background in the subject being taught. Some of this information can only be obtained through interaction with the student.
What do you need to know in order to begin your lesson planning for a class?
I need to have a map – where we are and where we want to go.
I need to know the student’s current level and knowledge, and the desired outcome. From there I can plan a route to get there, of which are there usually many.
What four key components do you believe you must include in your plan?
An introduction, the explanation and a modle of the new information, guided and observed practice, and closing of the lesson which will include a review and setup of the next lesson.
When you think about your students, in what major ways do you most want to influence their lives?
I want to help students develop holistically as a peson with critical thinking skills. I want to give them strong fundamentals in the content area, in this case orchestra. But more importantly, I want to develop my students into good citizens with the knowledge and skill to make informed decisions.
What two core teaching strategies do you most use to achieve this result?
A combination of deductive and inductive methods is quite effective as this will approach the subject from opposite ends. I also believe in accurate guided practice so students know the correct path before attempting practice without the teacher.
When teaching a theoretical concept (circle of 5ths, etc.) I strive to setup the student for self-discovery of the knowledge rather than pure rote memorization. With inductive and deductive methods you can show the student the path or formula and also give an example for them to find the path to the answer.
