My name
is Joe Kiernan, I live in Fairfield, Connecticut.
I was first introduced to music when I was a child. My
grandparents would have family parties and someone was always playing piano and
the rest of us were singing along.
I had been fortunate enough to have older
brothers who was trumpet players and for better or worse I
heard them
practicing, and of course I wanted one too.
When I was 5th grade I had signed up for percussion and was
given a trombone instead.
This was a blessing!
Because of the nature of the trombone it had fine-tuned my
ear, my pitch even at a young age was very good. Then the guitar came
into the picture and that picture has been an ongoing movie throughout my life.
I had studied trombone at school and played the guitar at
home.
My high school music teacher recommended I try out for the jazz band so
I could learn more about reading and playing in an ensemble. That same teacher
also gave me one of the greatest gifts ever. A brochure to the "National
Guitar Summer Workshop". I was there as a student being exposed to
all styles of music via guitar and by the some of the best players from all
over the world.
After a few years I had interned there then was hired as a
teacher.
From there I had studied Music Education and classical guitar at The Crane
School of Music at S.U.N.Y. Potsdam.
My education degree brought me to California where I had
taught high school jazz band, guitar, and beginning piano at Richmond High
School. Then I traveled to South America and taught band and guitar at
The American School of Asuncion, in Asuncion Paraguay.
I came to Connecticut in 2006 and taught privately until I
was hired by The Bridgeport Public School system.
Now I am
at The Interdistrict Discovery Magnet School where I teach band, general music
K-8, and guitar.
Currently
I am working towards my masters at the University of Bridgeport and writing a
thesis/teacher lesson plan book on multicultural music.
Philosophy
My views on
music pedagogy are very simple
I believe
students must enjoy the learning process in order to available to learning the
lesson. A teacher is the vehicle for the
student’s learning.
As there
are many great teachers out there, there are that many different way to teach, Each student is different, some learn by sight, aurally, reading,
and tactile.
Teaching
music easily incorporates all of these modalities and good teaching uses all of
these to develop an understanding of music as it is part of a community.
One book
that I often reference and is as good for a music teacher as it is for any
teacher is “Teaching Music with a Purpose” written by Dr. Peter Loel Boonshaft.
It is helpful
in reminding who and how we are teaching.
It aligns
with my teaching by understanding that the teacher is serving and nurturing the
student first.
Referring
to Boonshaft: “Drawing them in”
I find
myself often wondering how to motivate students properly and help them focus as
well as leave each class with a sense of accomplishment and success.
It’s a relationship
with the students and the enthusiasm that you have for what you are teaching
that will encourage them to go the extra mile for themselves.
Success will breed
success
Learning
music is a journey!
As
teachers we are very optimistic that what we have a passion for will lend
itself to our students.
Hey Joe, nice post. I totally agree with your ideas about pedagogy. If someone is enjoying themselves and is enthusiastic, they learn so much better.
ReplyDeleteNate,
DeleteThanks for the reply. I believe if they enjoy what they are doing in your class you won't have to worry about classroom discipline. Having a plan, high standards, and enthusiasm is part of the chemistry.
Joe,
ReplyDeleteI envy the family sing-a-longs, which you were fortunate enough to participate in as a young child. Events of this nature set the stage for a rich musical development as students grow and build a sense of self-awareness, becoming more drawn to specific activities, interests and pursuits. We all have to start somewhere and as we have been talking about in Professor Martignetti's class this semester, the concept of group singing has essentially disappeared in the United States. I am sure that these early musical endeavors stuck with you as you matured and began to hear your siblings playing instruments such as the trumpet. You already had a gauge for what a musical setting could be, and because it was within a joyous environment/context, that of get-togethers and parties, you were much likelier to associate the creative process with feelings of good will and happiness. I think that you are spot on in articulating what a blessing it is to learn an instrument such as the trombone. While completing my undergraduate work at The Hartt School, I taught private lessons at a local music store and trombone was one of the instruments that I instructed students on. If you can play the trombone, you can essentially play anything, because the lack of keys or valves, makes this instrument one of the most challenging that exists. As I am sure you know, if you aren't hearing the note that you are aiming for with absolute certainty, chances are you will miss it, particularly because the slide positions can vary from horn to horn and trombonist to trombonist, at least in terms of the smallest particulars. While I have never attended a camp or clinic conducted by the National Guitar Workshop, I have heard many positive things about the programs that they have to offer. That is quite the honor to have been asked to work alongside figures who mentored you, while still at such a young age. I would definitely like to hear more about what National Guitar Workshop has to offer, as I am sure they would be a great resource for future students of mine who have a desire to maintain and build upon their present skills during summer vacations. I have heard that the Crane School of Music has one of the best music education programs in the country. Did you enjoy the time that you spent in Potsdam? What an amazing period in your life working and living in Paraguay must have been! Perhaps at some point this semester, you might recount some of the most memorable moments of your time there to all of us. I can just imagine how incredible the music and musicians you encountered in that setting must have been. I think that you make some concise, critical points regarding pedagogy within music education. If students do not understand the true joys of building their knowledge and the successes, which will result from the hard work associated with this process, then there is no way that the teacher will be able to develop what might be dubbed "buy in". Consequently, the ensuing days, weeks and months will be utterly miserable, with students completely apathetic to their education. In the current educational climate that we find ourselves in, we have to remember that every student has unique strengths, needs and ideas. With that being said, although we might have universal principles that we wish to instill upon each student whom we cross paths with, they will not all receive the information conveyed in the same manner. We have to learn to make adjustments and modify our teaching style, so that we reach all learners in our classes. Boonshaft sums up this notion perfectly, by talking about drawing students to us. Once a child is hooked, then the sky is the limit. The possibilities that exist within the learning environment are endless. Once a student gets that first taste of success, he or she is going to want to experience that excitement again and again, simultaneously pushing the envelope and upping the ante to meet greater challenges and overcome higher hurdles. Well said, my friend!
-Matt-
Matt, thank you for taking the time t reply.
DeleteHey Joe-
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with you that teachers exist first and foremost to serve and nurture the students. I saw a video on Facebook the other day that had a drama teacher doing a lengthy dance to "Uptown Funk" and while the students were certainly involved- I couldn't help but think the whole time- "what were the students learning by doing this?" I love the idea of doing creative and innovative things, but it's so important to remember that we are there to educate kids and nurture them.
Maybe I'm being way too critical about it...decide for yourself!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ECAyAOdTFK8