Professional Reflection

Throughout my time at JMU, I have been constantly developing and honing my teaching

skills. My idea of what a music educator truly is has been ever expanding throughout these last

few years. I’ve come to realize that I originally had a bit of a narrow mindset when it came to

how a band should be directed. Through my many music education courses I have been exposed

to many unique perspectives which have all helped to shape me into the teacher that I am today. I

have become much more proficient in my lesson planning ability and also more proficient in

following a lesson plan while not becoming robotic. My music education courses have also given

me an excellent opportunity to work with ensembles that I had not had the opportunity to before.

My band experience in high school greatly influenced the man that I am today. However,

this affinity towards my home program initially blinded me from all of the different ways that a

band can be run. I have come to realize that every program has its own unique quirks that make it

special to its members. Hearing the many perspectives of my colleagues has shown me that I do

not need to try and exactly replicate my experience. I know that I must establish a culture unique

to whatever program that I end up teaching in the future.

Lesson planning is something that I was completely unfamiliar with before I arrived at

JMU. Due to this, I struggled a bit when they were first introduced into my classes. However, at

this point I am completely comfortable with the lesson planning process. As a part of music

education courses I have written dozens of lesson plans for all sorts of occasions and in several

styles. In my methods course, I along with two peers used an experience design for an outreach

class that we would teach. (http://codeylogan.weebly.com/leadership/mued-371-final-post) As a part

of another course, I was part of a group that designed an entire curriculum for a ukulele class.

(http://codeylogan.weebly.com/leadership/leadership-post)
 Another piece of the lesson planning puzzle is the actual execution of the plan. In the

beginning, I found it quite difficult to follow along to the plans I had written whilst also keeping

true to my personality. Through much practice, I believe that my teaching persona and my actual

self have found a very happy medium in which to co-exist. I was presented the opportunity to

teach my peers in the vocal education program in their instrumental techniques course. My

lessons in front of these peers and the feedback I received truly helped me become much more

natural in my teaching. (http://codeylogan.weebly.com/engagement/mued-371-final-post)

Through JMU I have worked with several different types of ensembles. Because of String

Tech, I know feel completely comfortable teaching in an orchestra setting. This was very much

not the case before coming to college. In fact, my high school did not even have an orchestra

program, so I had zero exposure to orchestral string instruments. Another area of music

education that I am now confident in teaching is choir. Vocal Tech was a very succinct crash

course on how to be a successful choir director as an instrumentalist.

In conclusion, though my journey as an educator is nowhere near finished, my time at

JMU has put me on the correct path to success in the field.