Meeting New Teachers Where They Are: Digital Mentoring Program Focused on Orchestra Content-Specific Support

• In Event: 52.070 - Life-Span of a Music Educator: Preservice to Retirement

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to use digital mentoring to identify the orchestra specific pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) needs of first-year music teachers who are teaching outside their content area of strength. Digital mentoring is defined as the use online synchronous and asynchronous communicate between the mentor and mentees to reflect and discuss their teaching practices. Content area of strength is defined as a music teacher’s primary instrument or ensemble experience that they feel they are most familiar. Research questions included: (a) how do two first year teachers describe their challenges, needs, and concerns specific to orchestral pedagogical content knowledge?

Author

• Jessica Christine Vaughan-Marra, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor