by Peter Boonshaft | Mar 17, 2020 | Boonshaft's Blog
Before tomorrow’s band rehearsal, change your setup so it is reversed 180 degrees. That’s right, if your students were facing east, have them face to the west. You’ll have to move all the percussion instruments, stands, chairs and your podium, but I’m telling you it’s...
by Peter Boonshaft | Mar 10, 2020 | Boonshaft's Blog
At the end of a session I was giving at a music education conference, a new teacher asked me a wonderful – though daunting – question. He said, “I just started my first job teaching at a school with a very weak music program. I want to do great things at this...
by Peter Boonshaft | Mar 4, 2020 | Boonshaft's Blog
As I think about the multitudinous aspects of being a teacher, I am reminded of the brilliant words of my dear friend – and astounding educator – Bob Phillips, who challenges each of us when he asks: “Am I preparing my students for my past or am I preparing them for...
by Peter Boonshaft | Feb 25, 2020 | Boonshaft's Blog
I have always espoused the idea of making phone calls or sending notes home to parents or guardians when students show real progress toward – or achieve – a significant accomplishment. Finding something praiseworthy for the child who will someday sit principal...
by Peter Boonshaft | Feb 18, 2020 | Boonshaft's Blog
Here’s a quote I think should be on the wall of every music classroom. More importantly, I think it should be in the thoughts of every music student. John C. Maxwell so perfectly expressed what we as teachers know to be profoundly true: “Successful and unsuccessful...