Characteristics of Music Teachers
You may be wondering if a career in music education is right for you. Maybe you’ve heard mixed feedback from teachers you know. Maybe you’re just wondering if you would be successful in this very challenging—but also very rewarding—profession.
In a recent discussion on this topic on the MENC Future Teachers forum, longtime teacher and MENC member Christine Nowmos pointed out that in addition to enjoying music and conducting, teachers should possess a talent for:
- figuring out how to help others learn,
- problem solving,
- being patient,
- accepting differences between yourself and others, and
- knowing and being open to different styles of learning.
“Wanting to be in charge should not be a motivating reason for wanting to be a band director or any kind of teacher,” says Nowmos. She encourages potential future teachers to explore their interests through the following:
- Talk to a guidance counselor or trusted mentor.
- Work at a summer camp, babysit, or volunteer with kids. This will help you sense not only whether you like working with them, but also which age group you click with.
- Learn about the different options in teaching music by visiting the MENC Web site or the online forums. Different commitments are involved with teaching high school band than for elementary general music, for instance.
Read Part 2: Is Teaching Music for Me?
Read Part 3: Is Teaching Music for Me?
--Shauna Leavitt, September 18, 2008, © MENC: The National Association for Music Education