Do you believe in offering students incentives for learning or mastering tasks?   I know this can be a controversial subject.  There has...

Several years ago I was asked to speak to a group of youth about what I do in my profession as a teacher.  I told the group that my job i...

I've been working on little graphic design to come up with new stickers, magnets, and posters for my students to earn throughout the y...

Teaching high school felt totally different from teaching younger grades. There are so many resources, books, and ideas for elementary and...

*UPDATE - this book is now finished and available for download!   https://orchestrateacher.blogspot.com/2019/07/high-school-orchestra-war...

After a year full of rehearsal and practice some of my school instruments look a little thrashed.  Most of my school cellos are shared by...

School just ended for me and it feels nice to have a little extra time to rest, rejuvenate, and reflect on the year.  I tend to mak...

I just finished with recruiting season.  It feels good to have all of that done!   Now I feel like there is extra time in rehearsals to ...

On Friday students were showing me a bunch of little meme videos from YouTube.  It made me feel old.  There's a meme from 'super...

I went to the UMEA conference last weekend and went to a session about teaching students how to tune their instruments by Michael Hopki...

We're halfway through the school year!  Now is the time students seem to get a little tired of practicing.  Time for a little motivation...

I love presenting!  It is so fun to meet other teachers and share ideas.  Over the last few years I have presented 4 sessions at the NAfM...