It’s about time for you to consider inviting student teachers to join you and your students at your school for their student teaching requirement. Here are some reasons why!
You became a teacher. You did it to help others. You’re a professional in music. You are an example for young, music professionals-in-training. You must help them. You owe it to the profession. They need to observe the manner in which you approach, organize, teach, and evaluate progress. You can be the greatest influence in their preparation as a professional.
Student teaching requirements are not the same as they used to be. In some cases, the length of the professional term has been expanded. College and university programs need great teachers with which to place their students. I cannot imagine a greater tribute than having a student teacher placed with YOU.
Benefits?
- While student teaching, the intern can help you with other details. Some programs have multiple directors, some do not. No matter what, two more hands can help.
- While they conduct, you can walk in and among the band and hear things you simply couldn’t while being totally occupied on the podium.
- It’s rewarding for your band. The students benefit from seeing and witnessing student teachers. Student teachers demonstrate that there really is an enthusiastic future. Student teachers are musicians. They “come loaded” with information. They can present a new idea or two. Good for the band… good for you… good for everyone.
- The pride of serving as a mentor is fulfilling. You are building a professional connection that will last a lifetime.
- The personal and professional benefits for you are too numerous to list here. The benefits for your band, the students, your school, and your events are never-ending.
Hosting a student teacher will make you better every day. What’s stopping you? C’mon! Where are the collegiate music education programs near you? Contact them soon. Do it for all of us!
About the Author
JOSEPH HERMANN, Director of Bands Emeritus, served at Tennessee Tech University for 28 years as Professor of Music. Hermann is sought after as a conductor, adjudicator, and speaker and has presented clinics, workshops, and has conducted around the world. His symphonic bands have been featured at national conventions; recordings of his ensembles have been issued as reference for music educators nationwide. Before his appointment at Tennessee Tech in 1989, Hermann was a director at the University of Arizona, Indiana University, and East Tennessee State University. He taught instrumental music at every educational level and supervised the Des Moines (Iowa) Catholic Instrumental Music Program.
Hermann is a member of the prestigious American Bandmasters Association, and in 2009-10, he served as its President. He is the recipient of the KKѰ Distinguished Service to Music Medal in Conducting and the TBΣ Paula Crider Outstanding Band Director awards. In 2015, Hermann was inducted into the Tennessee Bandmasters Hall of Fame. Mr. Hermann is affiliated as an Artist/Conductor/Clinician with Jupiter Band Instruments, Inc. and serves as their Senior Educational Consultant.
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We look forward to the evolution of this exciting program, and welcome feedback on how we can further enhance the work that you do in music education.
We are excited to offer your program the opportunity to join the KHS America Academic Alliance today.