The above videos are from very early in my teaching career. The practicum lesson was from my second ever formal lesson, and the carnival lesson demonstrates an attempt at online learning.
My practicum lesson was one that is clearly indicative of somebody trying to teach for one of the very first times. There is some reflection in the description of the linked video, but I want to highlight my improvement with both pacing and clarity. Watching even the short snippet of this lesson back, I can tell that I did not quite have the words or strategies to achieve my objective at this point, and I am confident that I would be able to do so now. I am also a much less stoic person than that lesson likely led those students to believe. I think that all of this is contrasted by the orchestra lesson below
The "carnival" lesson was part of CSU's Middle School Outreach Ensemble in 2020, when we were meant to teach ensemble classes online. The carnival was a sort of supplement in the middle of the evening's sessions that was a non-ensemble musical skill. My two coteachers and I wanted to do a session that was accessible and fun while also allowing a trend of musical development. With that in mind, we created an idea of "found sounds," trying to focus on the idea that music is everywhere, and isn't limited to specific instruments playing off of specific pieces of paper. Once again, there is a short reflection in the description of the video.
Timestamps 4-7 and 13:30-18:15 are of my mentor giving me advice, and not me teaching.
This video demonstrates a strong rapport between me and my students. This was one of the final rehearsals of the season, and getting all of the students to verbally respond and otherwise interact often felt like an uphill battle, but getting them to respond the way they do in this video is something that I hold some sense of pride in.
Additionally, in this video, I am demonstrating high, attainable standards. I know that the kids can play with good initial attacks, so I did not continue repetitions that did not begin together. In retrospect, I wish I would have found a way to make the process of getting them to start together to take less time, but I am ultimately happy with the result as demonstrated in the concert video.
Band concert
World Premier, XP by Gideon Matchey