Sonhando Estwick, NYC Principal, on Successful Music Teachers

Teaching is for those who love something so much that they want to give other people the same understanding and passion that they have for it. Being a music teacher is no different, you spend your days listening to all genres, reading and writing music and just enjoying it in all forms. Those who have become successful as a music teacher have all followed different paths but still keep the same core foundation.

Building Student Connections

Not all music is the same, just as all students aren’t the same. Building connections with those you teach can really enhance the productivity of your class. If you know most of your class loves hip hop, it’ll be beneficial to do a lesson on that genre. If you know that most of your students know very little about Bach, that is something that you can capitalize on. Successful teachers do not teach from their own understanding, because as the teacher you should be an expert, they teach to each individual students needs.

Love for All Music

A teacher who loves all music will deem themselves as successful because they understand that music is made for all people. It is okay to have a preference and even teach from that standpoint, but when you can acknowledge all music has some form of greatness to it, you may expose yourself to things you never knew you would like, along with your students.

Believing That Everyone Can Reach Their Full Musical Potential

Not every student that walks into your classroom is the next Marvin Gaye or Bach of that matter, but all students have a potential that should be reached by the end of their tenured with you. A successful teacher will allow their students to explore their own education in music, and guide them on a path that will reach their full potential in your classroom. Whether that be something as small as learning to read music, or composing their own song.

Enjoy Your Job

Those who love their job have achieved more than success. When you have reached the time in your career that everyday you love to come to work and work with students, that is all someone could ask for. It is also what students want in a teacher, someone that they can count on to put their best foot forward every time they step into a classroom. A successful teacher brings not only education and understanding to their topic, but instils the same passion and love that they have for it.

Originally published at sonhandoestwick.net on September 1, 2018.