Music teachers across the country are struggling with engagement and are worried about retention as they teach under stressful circumstances brought about by the pandemic.
I’ve talked to thousands of music educators, and their fears about students enrolling for their classes next year and their program longevity have them anxious as they worry that their life’s work as a music educator is in jeopardy.
Add to that the challenges they’re having engaging students in a virtual, hybrid, or in-person-but-wearing-masks-and-social-distancing scenario and it’s no wonder there is wide-spread panic among so many music teachers.
The past ten months have turned many thriving music programs upside down. In schools where kids were able to experience active music programs, students and teachers are now facing the harsh reality of not being able to make music together and it’s devastating to students, teachers, and the music programs.
The biggest frustrations I’m hearing from music teachers include:
- A lot of students are not engaging in activities
- Students who usually thrive in ensembles seem lost in our new environment
- Students are expressing sadness at not having “normal” ensembles and are dropping out
- Delivering important content and using all the latest apps aren’t enough to keep students actively engaged in making music and collaborating with their peers
- The honeymoon period is over and kids (and teachers) are burning out
- The love of teaching music that propels music teachers during challenging times isn’t present in this pandemic teaching environment and many are depressed and at their wit’s end
- If we don’t meet our students’ social and emotional needs, they will find other electives where those needs can be met
What if I told you it doesn’t have to be this way?
What if you could change things?
How would your life be different right now if you could:
- Get over 90% of your students engaged on a daily basis
- Spend less time planning lessons but have more engaging activities that draw your students in
- Have students who actively participate in a variety of activities that support them as musicians in addition to supporting a collaborative environment no matter what kind of teaching situation you face
- Meet yours and your students’ social and emotional needs so your classroom returns to being a place of refuge, community, and creativity – and the stress levels for you and your students are reduced while engagement and a sense of belonging are increased
- Feel energized and excited again as a music teacher instead of feeling like your world is falling apart
Well I have some very GOOD NEWS for you!
Since the moment our schools were closed on March 13, I’ve been obsessed with helping music students and teachers thrive during and after the pandemic and now I’m opening up my private coaching group for a few more music teachers who recognize the opportunity we have in this moment to either reimagine music education or face some major losses.
My newest book, Love the Job, Lose the Stress: Successful Social and Emotional Learning in the Modern Music Classroom, is all about the steps I’ve taken with my own students and the strategies I use with my clients that have helped us to thrive in spite of the circumstances in which we find ourselves.
Even though their situations vary widely, their feedback about what they’ve learned through our work together is consistent. Here are a few comments from some of the directors I work with.
“I feel so supported, and inspired, and Lesley makes me feel confident that I can tackle this “new normal” with a good plan, and some stillness! I look forward to the class every week, and am excited when rolling out these new lessons, and seeing my students progress each week! She’s able to respectfully coach and talk more specifically about what my students need in my teaching situation, and she does this for each student in her class.”
Lindsey – Band Teacher and Client
“What I’ve learned has been invaluable and has made me a calmer teacher who has been more present with my students, and has made me actually enjoy teaching during a global pandemic. I look forward to learning more from her in the future.”
L.O. – Music Teacher in Music Ed Masterclass
“Teaching during a pandemic has been crazy–I think everyone can agree with that. However, I haven’t felt the same kind of stress that I had in the spring and I attribute that largely to what I have learned from Lesley. Taking the time to address students’ social emotional needs first, and then proceeding with content has allowed us to grow together, and to have successful experiences in the classroom regardless of the pandemic.”
Evonne G – Middle School Music Teacher and Client since June, 2020
Here’s the good news for YOU … I am opening up a few spots in my Music Ed Masterclass starting in January!
I’m taking all the best nuggets I’ve shared with my clients in our weekly classes and creating a course where you will:
- Have access to SEL lessons I’ve designed specifically with the intent of keeping students actively engaged in the music-making process during virtual, hybrid, or in-person teaching
- Meet weekly with the Music Ed Masterclass where you will learn additional tips, share ideas, and get hands-on experience with implementing successful SEL activities in your classroom
- Get personalized coaching with me to talk about you, your students, and your program so we can come up with ways to meet their needs so your program survives
- A group of highly motivated music educators from all over who will become your support system and accountability buddies – an absolute MUST if you are to survive this with your program and sanity in-tact!
I’m looking for a few music teachers to join the Music Ed Masterclass beginning in January.
If you are looking for support in meeting the social and emotional needs of your students so they’ll continue to engage and enroll in your classes, complete this quick application to see if we’d be a good fit to work together.
This class is geared toward music teachers who know the power of music education and who are looking for innovative and proven ways to engage and retain students through challenging situations so the long-term survival of their programs as well as the immediate needs of their students can be met – all without burning out the already overworked music educator!
BONUS for registering by December 31 = 50% off your first month tuition!
Hurry – limited spots are available. If your responses indicate we could be a good fit to work together, I will reach out and set up a call with you.
How different will the rest of your school year be if you’ve got a support system in place to help you serve your students and keep your program alive during and after the pandemic? The peace of mind alone is priceless.
Here’s to a renewed 2021!
Lesley