At the end of August, ETM's annual Academy launched with three days of intensive workshops to prepare music teachers for the new school year. For two days, new and returning music teachers met at ETM's offices in New York City, and on the third day, ETM hosted training at the music technology lab at partner school M.S. 424 in the Hunts Point section of the Bronx.
Led by ETM's Director of Programs Peter Pauliks and program staff members, the Academy covered everything from expected outcomes and grade-level benchmarks of achievement in music, to strategies for everyday classroom management and lesson planning, to tips for producing phenomenal concerts. In addition to large group sessions, music teachers broke into smaller groups to work on curriculum maps and discuss the challenges of pacing topics over the course of the year in order to meet ETM's benchmarks. Guest facilitator Peggy Bennett, a Professor of Music Education at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, led a session on "Children and the Classics" to suggest instructional tools and methods for younger students. Meanwhile, the ensemble directors met with Mr. Pauliks to delve into the expectations and challenges of leading band and string orchestra programs at our partner schools.
The August sessions represent the first installment of music teacher training; ETM Academy will continue throughout the year with specialized evening workshops during the fall, full-day clinics in the winter and spring, as well as ongoing site visits and mentoring.
This week, our partner school programs began operating in 28 schools in the Bronx, Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens, serving over 14,000 children.
Stay tuned for news on our newest partnerships!
