Post 1

Reflecting back on our first class session, I was surprised at the content and structure of the class. I did not know what I was signing up for, but just that I needed to take the class. I was somewhat expecting another psychology class that just focused on learning about the generalities of human nature. I honestly did not expect to learn anything about being a teacher; however, I am excited that this class is not at all like my expectations.

I am introverted so I am not the most comfortable when sharing my ideas in a setting of people I do not know. I was worried that I would struggle in a classroom that revolved around student participation, but it was easy going and I had no problem speaking up. I also think that having new peers in my class made it easier to open up. These new people have no preconceptions or opinions of me yet, but in my music classes, everyone knows me. It was harder for me to open up to my music classes because I was scared of being wrong or looking dumb in front of those people. It doesn’t seem to matter as much when no one has opinions or standards about my level of intelligence.

 There are so many aspects of this class that I am excited about. Even though I have been teaching in some way since my sophomore year of high school, I do not really understand the specifics of teaching. I am excited to learn methods of teaching, why certain methods are successful, how to deal with parents, and how to succeed as a teacher. My greatest fear for my career is that I would be a complacent teacher who is not effective and does not help the students in the their studies and in real life. I want to know what to do in every situation and I want to know how to help my students in every way possible. I feel that I have learned a lot about music, but I have not studied any aspects of teaching itself. I have a lot to learn but I am excited to apply what I learn to music.