As teachers, we’re always looking for new ways to grow and learn. Summer is the perfect time to take a break from teaching and to find opportunities for growth. Maybe you’re wanting to find new ideas for next school year or are wondering what professional development you should take.
Maybe you’re trying to find motivation to take professional development. After a busy school year, you’re exhausted and just want to relax. I talk all about how to get the most out of professional development in this podcast episode. After you find your motivation to get started, this blog post will share 3 excellent music teacher professional development ideas.
1. Workshops
No matter where you live, there are excellent workshops provided somewhere nearby. Look for opportunities for music teacher professional development in your own school, district, city, state, or even nearby states. There are so many excellent workshops available that teach about many different music education topics.
To get started, turn to google or ask other music teachers you know about available opportunities. You might be a part of music education Facebook groups, memberships, societies, or newsletters that keep you updated about upcoming opportunities. Great places to look for music teacher workshops are colleges or universities, school districts that offer trainings or bring in guest experts at different schools, and local and national music education association workshops.
I’ve taken workshops about steel drums, district wide music teacher workshops where we shared ideas with one another, and attended several seminars and classes at music teacher conventions. There really are so many great training opportunities and classes available out there. Just do a little research or ask around, and you’ll find them.
2. Orff or Kodaly training
My music teaching changed dramatically once I began taking Orff and Kodaly training. Of course, you learn the ins and outs of how to be a music teacher in college. But, continual training and self development as a teacher goes a long way. The Orff and Kodaly trainings really bring your music teaching to a whole new level.
Orff and Kodaly offer 3 levels courses. The trainings are usually two weeks long and you leave with a notebook full of new material to use in your classroom. I really cannot recommend taking a levels course enough. They will challenge you, stretch you, and honestly give you amazing new ideas that you have never even thought about doing with your students.
To find out more about Orff, check out this blog post and for more about Kodaly, head here.
3. Online
One of the best ways to take music teacher professional development is online. What better way to get the training you need than by doing it in your pajamas?
There are some great online options available. These are the ones I recommend:
National Association for Music Education offers blog posts, webinars, and live workshops, but they also offer online professional development options now too.
Teacher vision is an awesome site that offers lesson plans, teacher resources, and ideas for professional development.
HARMONY is the ultimate elementary music teacher membership. With monthly training, lessons and lesson plans, and resources to use in your classroom, you’ll get the training you need to be a successful elementary music teacher.
The International Music Education Summit was in June 2018 and will be coming around every summer after as well. There are so many amazing presentations that happen during this summit (including one by me), and you do not want to miss it.
What are your favorite professional development ideas? I’d love to hear all about it in the comments below or share your thoughts on social media as you share this post.
Also, I’d love for you to share this post or any of the resources on my website with a friend or colleague who you know NEEDS to see it.
P.S. Are you feeling frustrated or stuck as an elementary music teacher? Check out these free resources to help you teach elementary music with confidence!
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