“Tell me, I forget, show me, I remember, involve me, I understand.” -Carl Orff

It is my belief that through education, students should develop intellectually, socially and emotionally. My teaching philosophy consist of two main notions; first, that every student is capable of learning and second, that every student must be an equal partner in the process of their learning. Each student is a unique individual who can contribute to the classroom by sharing their knowledge, experiences and strengths.  They can help in creating a supportive and welcoming environment where everyone feels comfortable sharing their ideas. I strongly believe that through involving students in their own learning it empowers them to become more eager to learn, keeps them more engaged and enables them to carry their learning outside of the classroom. As an educator, it is my role to get to know my students as unique individuals and to remain cognizant that each student has their own way of acquiring knowledge and expressing themselves. This will allow me to implement diverse teaching methods to best fit their unique needs and allow them to achieve success.
Music has the ability to be a powerful teaching tool when interconnected with other subjects. Music can provide students with the opportunity to learn skills that can be applied outside the classroom. It can also allow students to develop and explore their confidence and empathy qualities, and their critical thinking, teamwork and risk-taking skills.  It is my belief that schools are in place to provide students with a safe environment to explore who they are and allow them to further develop their identities. Music courses provide students with a differentiated way of learning and a space to express themselves. 
It is my opinion that music education is an essential element in students learning.  When students are given the opportunity to sing, play and move in music it allows them to develop their motor, literacy and social skills. Music education exposes students to different cultures and various global issues. When students learn about diverse musical genres, they are able to gain understanding of other cultures and build bridges for connection. Students have the chance to explore their feelings and ideas, think creatively and develop their identities. I believe that through music education I am able to foster the development of students into well-rounded individuals.
As a music educator, my goal is to create a supportive environment where all students feel accepted and comfortable to share their own ideas, beliefs and feelings. I can do this by using the student center approach and implementing other teaching strategies. Ultimately, it is my intention to provide each individual student with challenges that will inspire them to reach their personal best and further their knowledge. I trust that by the end of my journey with the students they will be confident in their own abilities to achieve their goals.