11/04/2022
Everyone meet Kaylee Gross! She is a Senior Vocal Music Education Major from Sioux Falls, SD! She is at Moorhead High School working with Kathie Brekke who teaches 9-12 choir and vocal jazz!
Here is what she has to say about the experience:
What have you learned about yourself as a teacher? As a musician? As a piano player?
My student teaching experience thus far has been very impactful in the way it has both taught me the things I can already do well, as well as the things I have yet to master. I've found that skills I've developed and experiences I've had through courses at Concordia have equipped me well in terms of teaching, musicianship, and piano playing, but there is also so much which can only be taught through the real experience of being immersed in the classroom. Therefore, I am learning to use my strengths to my advantage while improving my areas of growth through continued practice and guidance from my cooperating teacher.
How do you feel you have connected to the students?
Before student teaching began, I was a bit nervous that it would be difficult to connect with high school students while also establishing myself as a teacher since I am closer in age to them. However, I've been pleasantly surprised to find that this balance has come more naturally than I expected. Students see me as an authority within the classroom, but I have still been able to create genuine connections with them through individual conversations or within my teaching.
What is one unexpected challenge you have experienced and how have you overcome it?
After spending my college years surrounded by others who love music as much as I do, it was easy to forget the reality that there are bound to be some students involved in choir at the high school level who aren't particularly thrilled to be there. In efforts to get everyone on board in rehearsals, I've made an intentional effort to connect with these students — they are more willing to put in the work for someone who they feel actually knows them!
What advice do you have for future student teachers?
While you are student teaching, it is so important to simply be yourself and be okay with not having everything figured out! Students can tell when you are trying to be someone you're not or acting like you know it all, and they are far more likely to connect with a person who is genuine and humble. Allow your unique personality to show through your teaching and allow yourself grace to learn what you don't yet know — that is how you grow!
