Summer Professional Development

I am so honored to receive a scholarship for my Orff Level II Certification!

Each summer since I started teaching (I am now completing my 16th year), I have participated in some kind of professional development.  The past several summers have been consumed with Kodaly, Orff and World Drumming.  I wish I could do all of them at once, but unfortunately, my budget can only go so far.  This summer I am heading back to Saint Louis to take classes for 2 intense weeks to have level II of Orff training. For my friends who hear me talk about Orff but are not quite sure what it is:

Orff-Schulwerk certification is offered in conjunction with the American Orff-Schulwerk Association (AOSA). The certification focuses on training music teachers to implement the creative music and movement approach developed by Carl Orff. This approach is known for using instruments such as xylophone to improvise and compose music. Training includes recorder and movement classes.

To me, it is so much more though: singing, dancing, creating. . . taking ownership of your curriculum and having students take ownership of their learning, and building a network of trusted colleagues 

This past weekend I was honored to receive a scholarship for the workshop fee from the Saint Louis AOSA chapter. I am heads over heals excited to extend my professional development into another summer of my teaching career.  Thank you St. Louis AOSA! It is so humbling to be honored by your peers!

To all of my new and more experienced teacher friends, check out what workshops or trainings you can take part in this summer so you can come back to the classroom refreshed with new perspectives and ideas in August. You will never regret it!

Elizabeth