Ryan Moos

September 9th, 2016

Music 512
Dr. Payne
Music Education Philosophy
 A formal education allows a child to gain knowledge from the past and move our society
upward to better their own lives and the lives of future generations through technological
innovations, medicinal research, entertainment, and many other advances. As a future teacher my
highest value is a students development and the positive influence I can have on the student.
This is my highest priority because children develop mentally, emotionally, and physically all
while going through their formal education years. I believe as teachers we carry the
responsibility to develop a child in a positive and safe environment. Implementing a formal
education into a childs life encompasses the desires of our society to develop our young citizens
into intelligent and contributing members. Providing a formal education allows our young people
to grow into themselves and explore who they are in a safe environment.
The subject I am most fond of in a childs formal education process is any shape or form
of music. Music can invoke a wide variety of emotions in a child whether they are creating the
music or simply listening to it. Music is also moldable, fluid and defies categorization while
shaping and evolving to fit its surroundings or time period. Music should always be thought of as
a core subject and an integral part to a students curriculum. In a students music classroom all of
the skills they develop in their other courses will be utilized. Reading and playing a piece of
music requires the student to read text or note names as well as count rhythms all while listening
to their peers. I believe in a childs education there should be a class that combines all of the core
subjects into one and music accomplishes this task by connecting in a specific way to each core
subject.
Music education is a way for students to pass on and learn traditional art forms while
developing new experiences. It allows students to develop emotionally and stay engaged in their
school system. Students will also gain a sense of achievement and confidence as they develop
their musical skills in their music curriculum. I believe any adult who has a passion for
developing our young people into individual artists and are willing to put in the work that it takes
to allow our young people to reach that tipping point should teach music. Every child should
learn about and be offered the opportunity to participate in a music program or class. I think it is
also important to focus on how a student internalizes the information we give them and how the
student applies the information to future situations. This type of instruction will allow for an
exploratory environment where I can act as a facilitator of knowledge and allow my students to
experiment and form their own opinions, ideas, and conclusions.
In my music classroom all students will be held to their highest individual standard and
will constantly compete against themselves to reach their highest level of achievement. I believe
students all too often compare themselves to other students and this is why they give up and stop
trying. The emphasis of student achievement must be placed on the individuals highest level of
musical potential. To help the student reach their highest level of potential I plan to use a student
centered instructive approach because I believe in order for what we do to be effective we must
meet a students needs.
In my classroom I want to create not only a positive environment, but also an
environment that acknowledges and accepts diversity and the individual differences of students.
To implement this in my classroom I plan to use James Banks model of multicultural education
and incorporating his five dimensions. This model help students to become critical thinkers and
understand assumptions made in literature or everyday life regarding different cultures. His
model also ties into my beliefs that a classroom should be student-centered. James Banks
emphasizes students and teachers becoming joint learners where they participate in discussion
that allow everyone to voice their opinion and learn from each other. In order for students to feel
supported and understood a safe and positive learning environment must be constructed. I
believe teacher professionalism is an around the clock job and it is important to conduct yourself
in a manner at all times that is appropriate and conducive for the classroom. I also believe
professionalism expands beyond appropriate language and actions and also incorporates being
prepared for class, being on time, and having a good attitude.
My highest value in teaching will be guiding a students mental and emotional
development in a positive and uplifting way throughout their schooling years. I believe every
child should be offered the opportunity to learn and participate in a music program or class.
When a child is exposed to music they are being given an outlet to express themselves, develop
confidence, and participate in a traditional art form that has been able to preserve its history as
well as evolve to fit todays culture.