5 Things You Can Do – Music Educator Edition
We all know that music education is important for every student in every school. Check out our 5 Things You Can Do, this time specifically geared towards music teachers.
What can you do to ensure music education is part of your regular school day? You can use these tips and resources to get you started on the path to becoming an invaluable advocate for music education in your community! Already teaching music in schools? Great! We also give you some tips for engaging students in the classroom and sharing your impactful work with important people in leadership.
1. Select the best teaching and learning tools for your classroom.
Keep it simple! Your students will be excited by accessible music lessons that you enjoy and will help them engage in music education whether learning in the classroom or remotely.
YOUR GO-TO
Visit our online music education resources page for more ideas.
ADVOCACY TIP
Document your lessons and how students are engaging with your program to share with administrators and decision makers. Even better, invite administrators, district board members, and any other key leaders to observe one of your classes!
COMMUNITY TIP
Are there local arts organizations or teaching artists that can enhance your classroom learning experiences for students? Reach out and get connected!
2. Share the impact of music education on social media and in school communications.
Advocate for your music education program by posting classroom accomplishments, how music has impacted your students, and educational news on social media.
Please follow your district’s guidelines for sharing photos and videos of students.
MESSAGING
Advocacy messages should be simple, straight-forward, celebrate joy, and tug at the heartstrings.
HASHTAG IT
Use a unique #hashtag for your district’s music program on social media. Collaborate with fellow music teachers to make the most impact by sharing stories using the same hashtag.
Use #MusicSaves to join Save The Music’s impact initiative!
GET FAMILIES INVOLVED
Have students share their work on their own social media platforms and encourage parents to share their children’s work as well. Ask students and parents to write notes about how music education has impacted their lives and send those to district leaders and community decision makers.
3. Your students need you for more than music education.
Music education helps students with their overall well-being, letting them express themselves healthfully and positively. Create a safe space for your students to connect and take time to check in with them.
GOOD NEWS
Music is perfectly positioned to teach and guide students through social emotional learning as well as trauma-informed care. Arm yourself with this knowledge and know your music classroom is a place where students can recover.
LEARN MORE
See our social emotional learning, trauma-informed care, and culturally responsive teaching resources.
SELF-CARE
Remember to take care of yourself while you take care of your students. Check out the well-being strategies from Resilient Educator.
4. Join your district’s team in planning how schools will include music education.
Remember music is part of a well-rounded education mandated by the Every Student Succeeds Act. Make sure music class continues for students whether through distance learning or in person. Read Arts Education is Essential.
GET STARTED!
Check out our advocacy tools to create an action plan so every child in your community may have access to quality music education.
ADVOCACY TIP
Tell the story about the value you bring to the school through music education. What impact does music engagement have on your students?
5. Familiarize yourself with federal, state, and local education funding.
Engage in policies related to music education, Title IV-A funding, and COVID-19 congressional bills that will affect your school district. Cultivate relationships with your government policymakers and school decision makers.
FROM NAMM FOUNDATION
“Urge Congress to advance needed relief for education funding for states so educational opportunity in all well-rounded subjects including music and arts education as defined by ESSA can reach every child.”
LEARN MORE
If you want to dive deeper as an advocate for your local school music program, go to our 21 Things You Can Do.