Teacher Spotlight: Yancy Garcia

February 25, 2025

The Journey from Intern to Music Teacher

Meet teacher, Yancy Garcia, who started with ETM in the spring of 2024 as a music teacher intern in the inaugural cohort of ETM’s Music Teacher Workforce Development Program. Yancy shares with us her journey from a music teacher intern to a full-time teacher with ETM, and how she brings her musicianship into the classroom.

Share with us you story. Where are you from, what are you experiences with music education, and how did you come to ETM?

I was born in Brooklyn and grew up in upper Manhattan. I started my music education when I moved to Washington Heights. I always was a kid who didn’t know how to express myself and at the same time had a big personality. I found that the only place where I could be myself was through music, acting, and dancing. In elementary school, my mom placed me in programs that encouraged me how to play the guitar and write songs. Later on, and after performing a few shows, I realized that this is what I wanted to do in my life.

By the time I was fourteen, I was professionally gigging, and I went on to college for jazz. For me, music is so important, it’s my way of expressing myself. It’s my spark. As I considered my next steps in exploring jobs, I knew that I wanted to do something that was impactful. The best way, for me, was to become a teacher and share my love of music.

You started with ETM as a music teacher intern last year and are now teaching full-time. How has this transition been for you? What kids of challenges and successes have you experienced? What skills or experiences have you gained at ETM that you find most helpful in your career as a music educator?

I started as a music intern with ETM last year, during the spring of 2024, at P.S. 96 in the Bronx. At first, I was very nervous, I wasn’t sure how the students would receive me or how interested in music they would be, but I started right away to do my best to make sure everyone was intrigued with the lessons and what I brought to the classroom.

Over the course of my first year as an intern, I was able to build a very strong relationship with the school, so when I learned that I was not only being offered a full-time music teacher job with ETM but at the same school (P.S. 96), I was absolutely thrilled.

The transition from a music intern to a music teacher has been fairly smooth. Yes, I was a bit nervous, but ETM is so good at preparing us. Its training and ongoing mentorship really contributes to the growth of teachers in their careers, which ultimately ensures students receive a great music education. Among so many things, I have been able to rely on ETM’s shared activities and curriculum as I lesson plan, and because of the training I’ve received, I am able to maneuver and manage in the classroom. I’ve also received amazing mentorship, both last year as an intern and this year as a teacher. Support on lesson planning and utilizing the teaching benchmarks have been especially useful to understand and work toward the goals I want to reach.

You’re a musician and singer-songwriter. How do you bring these experiences into the classroom and working with students of all ages?

Being a musician makes teaching so easy and fun. I get to pick up my guitar and sing songs with the students but also make educational moments. During my internship, I had the freedom to create my own lesson plans. For example, I had a unit where we were writing songs with our ukuleles and had the students compose their own lyrics, learn chords, and perform for the class. It was a great experience for everyone, and with the teacher training and mentorship I’ve received so far in the classroom, it’s been fairly easy to bring my artistry into my teaching. It’s both useful–plus, the kids find it so intriguing!

What do you love most about teaching music?

The best thing is seeing the kids’ eyes light up when they walk into the room. When they ask me, “What are we learning today?” it shows me that they’re excited about music class and are interested in what they are going to be learning about – this is the best part.fFor a lot of kids, learning isn’t all that fun, so when I see students showing their interest and coming to my room and being excited to learn, that’s what makes me happy and makes me feel like doing the right thing.