Cultivating Classroom Community

We will explore two principles of classroom community by developing norms for a feedback activity using a ‘heart/don’t heart’ T-chart. This method can be adapted for any activity. We’ll share the process of creating a class musical composition, providing opportunities for connection that follow the norms-building activity. We’ll conclude with a video of students giving feedback based on a performance similar to the composition performance described. At the end of the session, participants will reflect on how they can use these tools to cultivate classroom community while expanding musical knowledge and skills.

Amanda Suckow is a music educator turned district leader who supports more than 400 music educators in Chicago Public Schools (CPS) by developing, facilitating, and evaluating professional learning. Their goal is to improve teaching conditions and learning conditions for the 300,000 students in CPS. Amanda has been creating educational video content since 2008, was named ‘Educator of the Year’ in 2012, and believes that curiosity is a noble life purpose. They earned their MMEd from VanderCook College of Music and MBA in Arts Innovation from the Global Leaders Institute. An interdisciplinary artist, Amanda weaves stories into every aspect of their work, from strategic planning for impact to sound designing for connection.

 Christian Smith has taught strings and orchestra in the Chicago Public Schools since 1995. Chris has been the orchestra director at Mather High School for the past 18 years and is also on the Merit School of Music faculty in Chicago. He is committed to teaching in a diverse environment and incorporating the tenets of global education into his practice. Chris received a bachelor’s degree from Northwestern University and a master’s degree from VanderCook College of Music, both in music education. An avid educational traveler, he has received fellowships through the Chicago Foundation for Education to study Irish Traditional Music at the University of Limerick, Ireland, and Orff-Schulwerk in Dzodze, Ghana. He also participated in the Fulbright Teachers for Global Classrooms program to travel and teach in Vadodara, India.

NAfME presents this live virtual event at no charge to all as a service to the music education profession. To register, you must enter your NAfME member information or create a nonmember account. After registering, check your email for instructions. A recording of this program will be available to all registrants for one week following the live event. Members can also view archived NAfME webinars in the NAfME Academy.

The views expressed are those of the presenter; they do not necessarily reflect the views of NAfME.