music ed

Strawberries in Wittenberg

/ jamespjensen / 2 Comments

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I’ve been home from a 24-day 8 country tour of Europe with the Concordia University A Capella Choir for about a week now. The picture above was taken in the Cranach Square in Wittenberg, Germany behind the apothecary where Lucas Cranach, a Reformation painter and engraver, worked and lived. I was enjoying some alone time and had been looking for gelato (okay, it’s just ice cream) when I saw these extra-red strawberries at the stand and just knew I needed to eat the whole package.

Sitting there in the sun, I thought about my five years as a student at Concordia. I especially considered my five years in the choir and my four years in the band, and the countless hours I spent practicing, in classes, and time spent with friends becoming the person and musician I am today.

I have now said goodbye to the band, the choir, and the school. I am officially an unemployed college graduate looking for work! Mostly, that’s absolutely terrifying. But I’m also excited for what comes next. The opportunities that await me to be the great teacher I know I am and find ways to continue building my personal and professional life.

Music and music education will continue to open doors and provide me with opportunities I never could have dreamed. Opportunities like traveling to Europe, meeting people from all over the world, and creating something beautiful that will stay with me for the rest of my life. And those experiences, international or not, are what I hope to provide to my students. Connecting with people, making beautiful music, and experiencing life in new ways.

Student Teaching and the Introvert: I can do this!

/ jamespjensen / 2 Comments

One day down! I counted it up and came to the conclusion that I saw about 144 kids today. Tomorrow, I will see almost an entirely new set of students, and even more on Thursday and Friday.

My student teaching peers talk about the 120-130 students they have in their high school classroom every day, and it takes everything in me to not give them a side eye. I know that they have different challenges and different struggles, but this one sure feels like mine!

One of my biggest fears going into today was the 8 hours of nothing but human interaction. I’m fairly proud and protective of myself as an introvert, and the constant interaction was enough to make me want to hide away in a good book. Fortunately, my fears were abated and I can honestly say (despite some challenges) that I really enjoy this teaching thing. Even if the methods aren’t what I would use, even if the school isn’t my ideal place to teach, I spent today making music with kids.

My field experiences haven’t been very extensive up to this point. This will be the first time I’ll really have an opportunity to learn every students name, to get to know the students I’m teaching and working with (all 200 of them).

There’s a lot more to be said about teaching and introversion. And even more to be said about teaching music, introversion, and the extrovert ideal so prevalence in our schools and culture. Bu. for now, I have to call it a night, because I have to get up tomorrow morning and do it all again.

And you know what?

I can’t wait.