What exactly made my favorite teacher a favorite teacher? Learning is both an active and passive process. Active learning is the doing part: acquiring knowledge (like where to place a finger on the fingerboard, how long to hold a quarter note, etc.) and applying this to the desired outcome. Passive learning involves introspection of the active process so we can identify the most successful modalities in helping us reach our goals. With the conscious use of passive learning, we can move forward more powerfully in our work as students and teachers. I use my summers for this conscious introspection of the learning process, and after 20 years of reflecting on my own teaching, I am now in a unique position to reflect as a student, having just finished my first year of nursing school. One instructor I worked with this year stood out and was my favorite. I have been thinking about what made him a favorite teacher for me and concluded the following 3 things listed below. ![]() 1. EXPERIENCE IN BOTH THEORY & PRACTICE - My favorite instructor has been teaching for over 20 years and has decades of professional nursing experience. This combination of a background in theory and practice gives him a deep understanding of the academic subject matter and its relevant application for students. He was able to draw from this vast experience to share poignant stories that ranged from heartbreaking to hilarious. This personal touch made lectures highly enjoyable and helped us as students remember key teaching points. 2. ACTIONS THAT SUPPORT SINCERITY - This favorite teacher of mine demonstrated his sincerity and commitment to helping students with his actions outside of the classroom. He offered more office hours than any other instructor and always responded to emails within 24 hours. These actions helped efficiently fill in knowledge gaps to help us succeed as students. Additionally, while our college has the policy to offer a generic online survey to students at the end of the year, this particular teacher went above and beyond to create his own survey specific to his lectures so he could receive direct feedback in an attempt to refine and advance his work as a teacher. 3. ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF THE WHOLE STUDENT - This special teacher knew how important it was to address the whole student in the learning process. Nursing school is stressful, but thankfully we had teachers like this who always made an effort to acknowledge the challenge we were undertaking, check in to see how we were coping on a personal level and offer advice when necessary. This helped us feel like we had an ally who was invested in our success. We would love to hear from you - What made your school year special?
35 Comments
Jamie Norr
7/15/2018 02:59:51 pm
This year I started my student-teaching experience. I had the opportunity to assist in a 4th grade orchestra with an amazing teacher. My 4th grade orchestra was about 5 students but this orchestra had over 30 students in it and every one of them loved their morning orchestra class (unheard of!). Even though I've been teaching in small scales for years like at outdoor school and private music lessons, 30 students is a lot more work, but a lot more fun! One girl struggled majorly with her bow hold and by the end of the year, it was beautiful along with her sound. Those are the little moments we teachers strive for. Getting up early and putting on our positive pants isn't always easy, but the kids that just loved playing and would dance along to our playing is what makes it worth it!
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Heather Ann Figi
7/16/2018 06:10:29 pm
Hello and thanks for being the #1 person to post!
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Sarah Cote
7/15/2018 03:21:49 pm
What made this past school year special? For my college students: seeing the viola lit. students from the previous year choose pieces that they had fallen in love with in lit. class.
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Heather Ann Figi
7/16/2018 06:11:45 pm
Hello, Thank you so much for posting your reflection from the school year. You seem to have a mindset that is open to using every experience to your advantage and growth. Keep up the great work and best wishes! Heather
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7/16/2018 06:33:23 am
This past school year had several highlights and since I still teach over the summer, I am still seeing some of the consequences unfold.
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Heather Ann Figi
7/16/2018 06:13:28 pm
Hello - Thanks so much for sharing this great reflection. It is so rewarding to see the students grow and finally be able to participate in ensembles. I have mixed feelings about social media too - in the positive, it's a great way to share information and I like to use it like a bulletin board. Best wishes and thanks again for sharing! Heather
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7/16/2018 06:32:09 pm
Social media is hard, but so far its been really positive for my studio! I was worried about all the ways it could go wrong and I'm happy it was all for nothing so far.
Heather Ann Figi
7/17/2018 09:24:37 am
I am happy this is working for you. It is definitely easy and efficient which are appreciated qualities in modern life. Best wishes and thanks again for sharing! Heather
Alison Jewer
7/16/2018 07:09:20 am
This year my most memorable teaching experience was teaching myself. And perhaps my journey will speak directly to my students: I decided to go ahead with my commitment to perform a recital in honor of my grandmother- Wilna Arthur- my first teacher.
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Heather Ann Figi
7/16/2018 06:15:08 pm
Wow, this is just amazing. I can not stop smiling. I can only imagine how much you grew as a person in this process. Beautiful reflection and very inspiring. Thanks and maybe someday I will follow in your footsteps with this.
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Heather Ann Figi
7/16/2018 06:16:08 pm
(& I forgot to acknowledge how useful it is to remember to break things down. I don't think we can ever underestimate the power in this simplicity).
Mandi
7/16/2018 10:26:06 pm
What made this studio year special? After years of teaching on the side, I finally decided to start an official violin studio so this was our inaugural year and included lots of beginning students. I will always look back on this year with awe at my students for accomplishing so much as they spent time learning a new instrument and at the importance of studio friendships in motivating students (Yay for group lesson!).
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Heather Ann Figi
7/17/2018 09:26:06 am
Hello Mandi - This is so exciting! Thanks for posting and I am elated for you on making your studio official. These are some lucky young violinists. Best wishes and please keep us posted. Sincerely, Heather
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Ashley
7/20/2018 04:32:57 am
This year, my private studio finally started to grow and it’s been a joy! I love seeing the commitment to learning and the progress my students make or when I needed to be creative and come up with solutions to make learning certain techniques.
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Heather Ann Figi
7/20/2018 07:26:54 am
Hello Ashley, Thank you so much for posting. Every teacher here can relate to the wonderful feeling that comes from growing a studio. Congrats on this success and keep up the creative solutions to addressing technique! Best wishes, Heather
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7/20/2018 05:31:22 am
I'm really enjoying my studio nowadays; I've been in my current city teaching for seven years and I feel like my studio is really hitting its stride. I've been here long enough to really have a committed community of families through group classes and recitals, and I'm looking forward to the fall!
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Heather Ann Figi
7/20/2018 07:29:02 am
Hello Rachel, Thank you so much for posting and sharing your reflections. I taught in Washington DC and Oregon for 10 years each and it was right around year 7 when I "hit my stride" for each studio location so it's neat for me to hear this from another teacher.
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Carla Arnold
7/20/2018 06:24:04 am
Reflecting on this past year of teaching; 1. my after-school fiddle Clubs have remained stable and growing. 2 The use of Kaleidoscope violin method has been wonderful! My beginners have solely been taught this way this year. They are very good at the use of Solfege in their note reading and ear training it's been incredible! 3. My other two groups have added in the use of ukulele and string bass into the group performance sound that has added a lot to the group it has been a fun year!
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Heather Ann Figi
7/20/2018 07:31:19 am
Hello Carla, Thank you so much for sharing and congrats on the strides this past school year. We really appreciate your information about the Kaleidoscope method and the success you are having with this. I was aware of this approach but had not heard any teacher feedback yet. The mixed strings ensemble sounds like a blast! Neat stuff ;) Best wishes, Heather
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Catherine Cmiel
7/20/2018 07:01:08 am
I had a great group of musicians and thespians this past school year (I teach strings, band, chorus, guitar ensemble, steel drums, general music and theater). Our production of Peter Pan, Jr. was, I've been told, the best production our school has done. My band (grades 5-8) marched in their first parade -they sounded great and the kids were happy, parents were happy - what more could a band director ask? It was also a great year for kids sticking with strings. Out of 17 in my group at the beginning of the year, I had 15 still in the group at the end of the year! (2 moved to different schools). It was a great year for Performing Groups in my school!
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Heather Ann Figi
7/20/2018 07:32:46 am
Hello Catherine, Thank you for sharing your reflection and it sounds like you are doing outstanding work developing musicians and nurturing the arts in your community. I'm so proud of you, keep it up! Best wishes, Heather
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Tami Melton
7/20/2018 09:16:04 am
I am a veteran Suzuki parent, but new Suzuki teacher, so this new perspective has given me so many new realizations.
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Heather Ann Figi
7/21/2018 07:56:48 am
Hello,
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Marie
7/20/2018 01:37:24 pm
I worked really diligently on intonation with my 7th and 8th grade orchestra students. I was not sure how solid the group would be as I felt like I didn’t have many really strong players. But these kiddos worked and worked AND earned themselves a rating of superior at our district performance assessment. Their performance really boosted ensemble morale and confidence. I am so proud of my students!
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Heather Ann Figi
7/21/2018 07:59:08 am
Hello - Great work and congrats on this success! I love that you stuck with one area (intonation) because this narrowing of focus is what it takes to really get something to click and then become a habit. Best wishes! Heather
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Colleen Snyder
7/20/2018 01:55:47 pm
The most memorable moments of this past teaching year were lessons starting a new 4-year-old on violin. Her enthusiasm and steady progress were so inspiring. It has made me remember why I love to teach.
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Heather Ann Figi
7/21/2018 08:00:45 am
Thank you so much for sharing this! This made me smile remembering all the 4 year olds I started. Keep up the great work and best wishes, Heather
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Kay
7/20/2018 02:31:41 pm
My school year was made special by seeing the smiling faces of children learning to play violin for the first time and sharing my enthusiasm and excitement for this awesome instrument. Additionally, I've been teaching myself 2 new instruments from scratch, which helps me identify with students and their struggles/efforts in learning to play an instrument.
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Heather Ann Figi
7/21/2018 08:02:32 am
Great work Kay! You sound like you are in your element with your work with students. Kudos also on nurturing your love of learning by taking on some new instruments - what a joy! Best wishes, Heather
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This year, through working at Music Naturally,our parent cooperative in violin, my 9 y o daughter and I have been playing violin together during practice times now. It's been really good, just to get my brain back with her progress and give this violin playing a chance! I love sharing the games, fun practice cards, poems and songs Suzuki lessons and how they can provide motivation for moms and daughters to learn together. I have burned a CD, also which includes around 20 minutes of violin power builder practice corresponding with Suzuki book Vol. 1 pp.23-25 ish. These are "pre-Twinkle" activities to practice the finger placement on the tapes of the neck. Weshare this with my daughter's other friends in the cooperative, too.
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Heather Ann Figi
7/21/2018 08:04:06 am
Hello - Thanks so much on sharing! I especially love that you created a CD resource to help create clarity and structure in the practice routines. Keep up the great work! Heather
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Joy Anna
7/20/2018 08:54:14 pm
This year I had a new class I took on unexpectedly part-way through the year. I was intimidated at first, but the students responded so well and by the end of the year we had a great rapport. I had some amazing feedback from students telling me how much they had learned. The whole experience was unique and special.
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Heather Ann Figi
7/21/2018 08:05:15 am
Hello Joy, Thanks for taking a moment to share. I am so happy that the mid-year transition was a positive experience. Keep up the positive work ;) Heather
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Kerri
7/21/2018 07:49:17 am
I spent some time reflecting on the longevity of my students with me and the progress they have made. I also looked at where the students were lacking in some sense in order to change how I taught that skill to them. All my violinists are girls and they are adorable!! I’ve had one child for four years and she is now beginning to move through music with an understanding of how it works. I haven’t pushed her knowing that time and the child’s desire will allow her to bloom...and she has! My older students have a larger desire to learn so they can play like other violinists. I think prep pressure helps with this. What I know I need to begin doing is holding them more accountable when they are craving the knowledge and encouraging them to push forward when they have no desire. Watching the studio grow is a reward for me in and of itself.
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Heather Ann Figi
7/21/2018 08:06:35 am
Hello, Thank you so much for taking a moment to share with us about your school year. It sounds like you are developing a very organic learning environment in your studio. Best wishes! Heather
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AuthorHi! It's me, Heather. I absolutely love working on the Music for Young Violinists project and all the many facets: blogging, website, music, teaching materials, freebies, videos, newsletter and giveaway contests. The best part is connecting with you so feel free to drop me a line. You can learn more about me on the "ABOUT" page. Thanks! |