Readings #2: Kantorski

MUSIC 23241: MUSIC TEACHING AS A PROFESSION

Mr. Marcus L. Neiman, Assistant Professor

Kent State University School of Music

Fall, 2011

CRN:  200910 – Section number: 001 – Class Days: TR 7:45a – 8:35 am - Classroom: SOM E202

Office: Band Office - 330.672.2965 - Telephone: 330.672.2965 (Kent Campus) - E-mail: mneiman@kent.edu

Office Hours: TR 9:00 – 9:55 am (Additional hours available by appointment)

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BlackBoard and Text Readings

Submitted by:  Ryan Critchfield

Submitted for: Mr. Marcus L. Neiman, lecturer

Date: September 15, 2011

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Kantorski, Vincant J.  October 2005.  Some characteristics of excellent teachers.

TRIAD, Vol 73,Issue 1, Pgs 40, 42-43.

To summarize Kantorski’s article, there are many traits a great teacher has to have, but none of them are set in stone. There are certain traits that make teaching effective for the students, like the knowledge of subject matter, eye contact, and willingness to push the student. But there are other traits that are important that are more personal to the teacher, like sense of humor, reactions to certain situations, and outgoingness and enthusiasm. The students will also react to these traits differently from each other, so finding a balance so they can learn but enjoy themselves in the class is crucial.

To expand on two of subjects listed above, a teacher needs to have the “know your stuff” factor. This shows the students that you are well educated and that you are a reliable source of information. It is alright to show that you may not know something, and be humble about it, for even as a teacher, you are always learning new things. Also, you want to be attached to your students. You want to show that you care about them as students, and you want to see them achieve at their dreams. These are just two of the many attributes that Kantorski discusses.

I loved this article, particularly when talking about motivating the student to be better and being a personable teacher. Teachers who are basically going through the motions, showing no emotion and not connecting to the students can hardly think they are teaching anything. A teacher needs to be able to connect with his or her students on a personal level, while still keeping it a professional relationship. The goal is not to become “one of the gang” as Eisner discussed in his article, but to show a connection on a personal level.

Also, a teacher needs to be able to push their students to be better. What is the point in teaching a class or leading an ensemble if your students are no better leaving than when they got there? In order to make them better, you need to encourage them that they can be better. My analogy for this has been like walking them to a cliff. If you push them too hard, they can fall off, and they may be unwilling to continue. If you push them too softly, they will never be able to look over the edge of the cliff, and may be bored or feel under accomplished. The key to this is to lead them to the very edge of the cliff, so that they can get the rush of looking over the edge and seeing how far they have come, and how far they have to go.