Understanding the Professional Lives and Work of Experienced Music Educators Teaching in Multiple Music Classroom Contexts

• In Event: Sheraton Roundtable Session Eight
  In Roundtable Session: Exploring Issues in Music Education (Table 13)

Abstract

Multiple case study and portraiture were used to examine the professional lives and work of four experienced music educators who teach in multiple music classroom contexts. Participants were selected using intensity sampling and data sets included individual interviews, observations, photographs, and stimulated recall episodes. Analysis revealed overarching themes of music teaching and learning; school; relationships; and navigating personal and professional life intersections. Findings indicated that the teaching of musical concepts across multiple music classroom contexts seemed to be almost second nature for the experienced educators in this study, and they mainly spoke about the challenges of teaching different age and ability levels. Discussion includes adaptive expertise, teaching outside of specialty, micropolitics, professional development, relational and social needs, and role stress.

Author

• Rebekah Weaver, Ball State University
  Presenting Author