YELLOW BRICK ROAD MUSIC

Music Teacher Showcase: September Edition

Ever since debuting my idea for The Music Teacher Showcase, I’ve received tons of pictures from talented, creative, and hard-working music teachers. In addition to being inspired by the response, I’ve also decided to bend the rules…just this once. I decided to randomly select more than one (six to be exact). In fact, depending on the influx of pictures for next month, I just may decide to alter the rules permanently to include more teachers in the showcase.
If your picture wasn’t selected this time, no worries. Pictures that weren’t randomly selected this time will be placed back into the pot for a possible spot in next month’s showcase. Each teacher whose picture is shown below (as well as on my social media pages) will receive the link to download my latest file (Pond Rhythms) from my store. If your picture is showcased and you don’t receive an e-mail from me within 24 hours, please check your spam folder or send me a message, and I will be sure to send you the link again.
Graphics from A Little Peace of Africa and Tweet Music
The first pictures in the showcase come from Anita in Idaho. I love her practical and inexpensive idea for instrument stands, as well as her tip for keeping Orff instruments clean!
Anita Katona-Edwards

Fremont H. Teed Elementary

Kuna, Idaho 

Music Specialist
General Music, Beginning Band,  
Audition Orff Percussion Ensembles 
Past Idaho Orff Chapter President 


“Soprano and alto glockenspiel stands. Wire stackable racks from Walmart (kitchen area). Cost-$5-$8. Keeps the glocks from sitting directly on the floor. Baskets hold a variety of mallets and the F sharp/B flat bars. Inside the baskets I labeled SG or AG to keep the correct bars with the instrument. Cheesecloth works great to clean off fingerprints and dirt.” ~Anita 

The second picture comes from Jena Hudson in Indiana. Much of what you see in the picture is from her own store. Click here to download a set of her hand signs, recorder fingerings, and more. The girl silhouette on the far wall (which I adore) is from Schoolgirl Style. Here’s what she had to say about her colorful seat crates located just under the whiteboard in the picture:

“…my husband and I made them. I found a tutorial on Pinterest: here is the one I used, https://www.theeagerteacher.com/2013/08/did-it-myself-crate-stools.html, but I didn’t use that foam. Instead, I just bought a twin size mattress pad and cut it. The seat crates stay in the front of my room at all times. I created labels for the crates. The labels include the following: scarves, masks, puppets, and movement props. For movement props, I have the parachute and stretchy band in it. The cushion on the crates allows my students to sit on them as well. If we have special roles during a story or role playing, I will just pull out a seat for them if need be.” ~Jena



You can read more about Jena’s classroom makeover on her blog at Sew Much Music.
The next picture was sent to me by Angel in Michigan. Credit for the bulletin board goes to Amy Schadler ( UPSM ES P.E Teacher) and Angel Ingram ( UPSM ES Music Teacher).
Angel explained that this bulletin board is for grades K-5 for the month of September. What I loved about this bulletin board was its uncanny ability to trigger my inner hearing. I just couldn’t help but hearing that song in my head. As she said: 
“This bulletin board will catch the eye of our K-5 students and continue their interest in the Arts.” ~Angel
Our next picture comes from Christine in Iowa. She was in want of a stretchy band for her music classes. So she decided to make a band herself! Here’s what she had to say about the process on her blog:

“I found the tutorial from another blog site. It has great visuals with the instructions!

I found my loom refills at Walmart. I also modified it a little and did bunches of 4-5 strings together. I wanted it thicker to hold on to for my larger groups. I literally took 10 minutes to put together. However, it takes FOREVER to take apart. Make sure you know what you want before you assemble the whole thing.” ~Christine
You can read more about her DIY project on her blog at Elementary Etudes.

The next picture comes from Dale Duncan in Georgia. I loved the structured way in which he began his first day of middle school chorus. Here’s what he had to say about the importance of that first day:

“On the first day, I want my middle school students to know that I will wrap the arms of structure around them immediately, and that we are going to have fun too! They want both of those things, and they need them both to flourish!” ~Dale

You can read more details on exactly how he accomplishes a calm and structured first day by visiting his blog at Music In the Middle with Mr. D.

The next picture comes from Cara in Texas. She said that this, “is a picture of a bulletin board at my front door that I keep up all year long as a reminder to anyone who comes in my room.” ~Cara


With such vibrant colors and an attractive layout, I suspect that her bulletin board brings awareness to the cross-curricular connections that are inherent in music education. You can view more pictures of her colorful room by visiting her blog: Cara at Miscellaneous Me.

That’s it for this month’s showcase! If you would like to be featured next month, be sure to read through the original rules for entry here. I would truly adore the opportunity to feature teachers from outside of the United States. So please don’t hesitate to send me your pictures or share this post with a teacher-friend living outside of the states!
I’m looking forward to hearing everyone’s reactions in the comments below. Please let these awesome music teachers know how they’ve inspired you and how much their hard work is appreciated!

13 Responses

  5. Thank you for these wonderful ideas! It is always fun to see how music effects each individual teacher differently and how they bring their individual style into their musical teachings. Music charms the soul and these are just a small glimpse into the world of how a music teacher can impact their students with just the slightest of love they express in what they do.

    1. Thanks for stopping by Jill! Yes, music teachers can make such an impact. I saw a t-shirt the other day that perfectly sums up the student-teacher relationship. It said, "Some people only dream of meeting their favorite musicians…I teach mine."

    1. Thanks Crystal, and I agree! Teachers are such a wealth of information, but are rarely credited for it. As I've said before, it's nice to hear a "thanks for all you do" once in a while 🙂

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