I read a saying in graduate school that classified teachers as either sculptors or gardeners. The sculptor molded students into masterpieces, while the gardener added nutrients to the "roots" to help students grow and blossom into their potentials. It was shortly after reading that saying over 24 years ago, that I began my “gardening career.”
Filtering by Author: Bret Mascaro
The Value of Collegiality
Colonel Lowell Graham spoke at the PMEA D-11 and D-12 Professional Development Conference on the topic of leadership, titled: The Whisperer, With Homage to Cesar Milan and Other Leadership Concepts. In that presentation, he discussed the pack mentality of dogs in relation to the trainer-similarly to leadership in music education. And it brought to mind the Rudyard Kipling quote: “the strength of the pack is the wolf and the strength of the wolf is the pack”. It also has an application not only to leadership, but also to overall music department dynamics...
Did You Bring the P.I.E.?
Many educators have started the school year feeling refreshed and excited to create new learning opportunities for their students. Along with this comes the chance to upgrade how things have been done in the past in designing better lessons and musical experiences.
“Speaking A Common Language or Getting Lost in Translation?”
One of the goals of the Danielson Framework for Teaching used by many districts for teacher evaluation was to create a common language for its users. Many teachers and administrators have been speaking this new language over the past few years during pre- and post-observation conferences. Some schools have expanded the use of this language to PLC groups, where teachers meet to discuss student data and learning. These areas can provide pathways to teacher and student growth.
