TMEA: Tennessee Music Education Association - General Music

Teacher Spotlight: Ashley Copeland

8/19/2019

What is your Alma Mater?
Middle Tennessee State University

Where do you currently teach?
Mitchell-Neilson School, Murfreesboro

How long have you been teaching?
10 years

Why do you choose to be a member of TMEA?
It’s an amazing opportunity to connect with music educators from all across the state, to attend fabulous and inspiring PD sessions, and to have support from my friends and colleagues!

What do you love about teaching?
Getting to be a fun and hopefully inspiring part of children’s lives! I love their smiles and laughs in my classroom; I love their “aha” moments; and I love making music with them!

If you could choose another job for one day, what would it be?
President of the United States

Tell us one thing about you that people would be surprised to know or something you are passionate about besides teaching.
I studied abroad for clarinet at a music school in Belgium in 2008, then did a tour of Europe afterwards. It was an amazing experience and I want to go back someday!

Share a fun and unique idea that you use in your classroom!
If you haven’t tried John Feierabend’s “First Steps” program with your littles, you absolutely MUST! I also love the CMHOF Words & Music unit for my older ones, and incorporating tons of children’s books with movement activities for all!

Teacher Spotlight: Maria Hunt

8/1/2019

What is your Alma Mater?
Lee University

Where do you currently teach?
North Lee Elementary, Cleveland

How long have you been teaching?
4 years

Why do you choose to be a member of TMEA?
The relationships and friendships I’ve made with other TN educators has been invaluable to my growth not only as a teacher, but also as a person. I love how we’re able to collaborate on ideas all for the betterment of our amazing students!

What do you love about teaching?
Seeing my students faces light up when they finally grasp a concept, and watching them help their peers do the same fills my heart with such joy. Knowing that I am shaping the future by encouraging young minds is the best feeling in the world!

If you could choose another job for one day, what would it be?
I can’t decide between the conductor of the President’s Own United States Marine Band, or singer with the Glenn Miller orchestra (both still music, I know!)

Tell us one thing about you that people would be surprised to know or something you are passionate about besides teaching.
I was a top 10 finalist in the Miss Tennessee pageant in college!

Share a fun and unique idea that you use in your classroom!
We are always moving to music! Whether that’s creating our own special dances, incorporating the newest trend, or finding the form of a piece of music in our bodies. We rarely sit still!

Teacher Spotlight: Jason Glashauser

5/30/2019

What is your Alma Mater?
University of Toledo (BM) and Western Michigan University (MM)

Where do you currently teach?
North Clinton Elementary and South Clinton Elementary in Clinton, TN

How long have you been teaching?
17 years

Why do you choose to be a member of TMEA?
TnMEA provides fantastic professional development! But I also appreciate the advocacy they provide to the state and the publications they send throughout the year. TnMEA is also an invaluable resource for bringing music teachers together.

What do you love about teaching?
I absolutely love the excitement and joy that the students have when learning new games and concepts in music class. It's a constant reminder that learning can and should be a joyful process.

If you could choose another job for one day, what would it be?
4th horn in a major orchestra

Tell us one thing about you that people would be surprised to know or something you are passionate about besides teaching.
I thoroughly enjoy taking my family up to Canada to fish for Northern Pike!!

Share a fun and unique idea that you use in your classroom!

Teacher Spotlight: Alexis Yatuzis-Derryberry

4/14/2019

What is your Alma Mater?
Middle Tennessee State University (Bachelors of Music 2001, Master of Arts 2011)

Where do you currently teach?
Lascassas Elementary School (Rutherford County, TN)

How long have you been teaching?
18 years

Why do you choose to be a member of TMEA?
I choose to belong to TnMEA, not just for the wonderful Professional Development Conference that happens every April, but for the year round advocacy they provide on the state level, the amazing publications we receive, and most importantly, for the music education community that being a member offers me.

What do you love about teaching?
I love so many things about teaching! I love the students smiles when they are joyfully making music in class, I love taking students on field trips and choir trips, and I love seeing past students who tell me I made a difference in their life.

If you could choose another job for one day, what would it be?
I would love to work with special needs students as a music therapist.

Tell us one thing about you that people would be surprised to know or something you are passionate about besides teaching.
I think must people would be surprised to know that I trained in and taught ballet and pointe for over 20 years. I am also certified to teach yoga!

Share a fun and unique idea that you use in your classroom!
Something fun and unique I do in my classroom is to use a lot of phrases in different languages. I grew up in a household where German and English were used. I like to use German, French, Spanish, and other languages when teaching. It keeps the students attention, exposes them to other cultures, and sparks their interest!

Teacher Spotlight: Marcus Smith

1/21/2019

What is your Alma Mater?
University of South Carolina

Where do you currently teach?
Farragut Primary School, Knoxville

How long have you been teaching?
5 years

Why do you choose to be a member of TMEA?
I believe that professional development and networking are a teacher's most valuable resources outside the classroom. It is a support network of colleagues who are always willing to help others (and looking for help themselves!) and participating in workshops is one of the best ways to continue to grow both as a musician and as a teacher.

What do you love about teaching?
Whether it is a greeting in the morning, singing a favorite song or game, or overcoming a challenge, nothing beats the satisfaction of seeing smiles on my students' faces!

If you could choose another job for one day, what would it be?
Barista - I absolutely love coffee and would love learning more about how to make it!

Tell us one thing about you that people would be surprised to know or something you are passionate about besides teaching.
My original plan out of college was to teach middle school band. A tough job market in that area forced me to try my hand at elementary general music and I have not looked back since!

Share a fun and unique idea that you use in your classroom!
Puppets make a regular appearance in my class - they are my teaching assistants and I would be nothing without them. They can be used to help teach songs, to reinforce concepts such as loud/soft, and (my favorite) for comedic effect. Since they each have a unique personality, they are incredibly useful in creating a fun, vibrant classroom environment.

Teacher Spotlight: Rachel Lapinski

10/5/2018

What is your Alma Mater?
MTSU

Where do you currently teach?
Brown's Chapel Elementary School, Rutherford County

How long have you been teaching?
4 years

Why do you choose to be a member of TMEA?
I am a member because it's a great way to connect with other teachers and it gives my students performance opportunities outside of school.

What do you love about teaching?
I love building relationships and connecting with my students.

If you could choose another job for one day, what would it be?
Broadway Costume Designer

Tell us one thing about you that people would be surprised to know or something you are passionate about besides teaching.
I love to sew and quilt!

Share a fun and unique idea that you use in your classroom!
I start almost every class with a "BrainDance"activity that I learned about it in my Orff training. It's a great way to get kids focused and they love it!

Teacher Spotlight: Corynn York

9/14/2018

What is your Alma Mater?
Middle Tennessee State University

Where do you currently teach?
Hobgood Elementary - Murfreesboro, TN

How long have you been teaching?
This is my 3rd year teaching.

Why do you choose to be a member of TMEA?
I choose to be a member of TnMEA for the connections with other music teachers. TnMEA has led me to other music teachers in my area that I wouldn't have met otherwise. It provides a wonderful support system of teachers who I can always call on with any questions, or just meet for coffee!

What do you love about teaching?
I just love the pure joy in the children's hearts. Sometimes that joy is a little hidden, but once you get to know the students, that joy shines through. Musically, there is nothing more rewarding than getting to make music everyday with the students.

If you could choose another job for one day, what would it be?
10 year old me would definitely choose to be a famous singer for one day! But at this time in my life, I'd like to be an administrator for a day just to get a different perspective of the school setting.

Tell us one thing about you that people would be surprised to know or something you are passionate about besides teaching.
Something that people are always surprised to know about me is that I don't really care for the beach. I would rather go on a vacation full of exploring and new experiences than lay by the ocean.

Share a fun and unique idea that you use in your classroom!
At the beginning of the year, instead of talking through the rules with all of our classes, my co-teacher and I show a video that we made with our PE teachers. This video shows the rules and expectations in the music room. The PE teachers and I act like students as my co-teacher is trying to teach. For each rule, we act out "what not to do" and "what to do" in the music room. The students love it as it makes them laugh and gives them a good visual representation of the rules. It's also nice for us because we don't have to repeat ourselves over and over during the first week of school.

Teacher Spotlight: Christine Bock

8/31/2018

What is your Alma Mater?
University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Where do you currently teach?
Cedar Bluff Elementary School, Knoxville

How long have you been teaching?
20 years

Why do you choose to be a member of TMEA?
For me, there is no choice. TnMEA is our professional organization and as such I believe every educator should be a member. TnMEA is only as strong as it's members. By joining TnMEA, you are enabling the organization to support music education in our state in a relevant way. The only way the organization can find out the issues and needs of our educators is if we share them. By being a member of TnMEA, we actually help ourselves and the others in our state.

What do you love about teaching?
I love making music with my students. No matter how young children are, they still have a feelings! Sometimes they just don't know how to express them. Giving them an outlet for their feelings and emotions is tremendously satisfying.

If you could choose another job for one day, what would it be?
I'd love to start a joint child and senior daycare. I saw a video of something like this online and I think it would be a wonderful thing for those involved. Seniors have so much experience and caring to share and our little ones would only see benefits! I'd love to be a part of starting something along those lines.

Tell us one thing about you that people would be surprised to know or something you are passionate about besides teaching.
I've recently become very interested in the Appalachian Dulcimer. I'm not a native Tennessean, so the instrument is new to me. But, I find that I love learning about the history of the instrument and the songs of our region. There are local clubs all over Tennessee, and I encourage all of you to check one out!

Share a fun and unique idea that you use in your classroom!
When beginning a new unit, whether it is folk dancing or learning a new instrument, I always have the students create the rules and expectations for behaving or using the equipment. I find that when they create the rules, there is more "buy-in." I also have them decide on the consequences if someone breaks the class's expectations. I have found that in most cases, this eliminates behavioral issues and causes the students to be more invested in our class.

Teacher Spotlight: Lee Whitson

6/2/2018

What is your Alma Mater?
East Tennessee State University

Where do you currently teach?
Rock Springs Elementary
Sullivan Co.

How long have you been teaching?
18 years

Why do you choose to be a member of TMEA?
Tennessee Treble Honor Choir
Access to resources and professional development for my classroom

What do you love about teaching?
Sharing my passion of music with others. I love sharing music with young children and seeing how natural it is for them to enjoy.

If you could choose another job for one day, what would it be?
A chef.

Tell us one thing about you that people would be surprised to know or something you are passionate about besides teaching.
I love to cook.

Share a fun and unique idea that you use in your classroom!
I love to have students become the teacher. When teaching an instrument part I only teach to one student and then they continue teaching to each other. It's not so much about the exact pattern, but more about the process and communicating.

Teacher Spotlight: Sarah Cummings

4/23/2018

What is your Alma Mater?
University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Where do you currently teach?
Rocky Hill Elementary, Knoxville

How long have you been teaching?
16 years

Why do you choose to be a member of TMEA?
Professional Development and Networking :)

What do you love about teaching?
What a joy to develop relationships with students and watch them grow into young people who love making music!

If you could choose another job for one day, what would it be?
Florist, I love flowers and it looks like fun! :)

Tell us one thing about you that people would be surprised to know or something you are passionate about besides teaching.
Being on the lake in the summer, can't wait!

Share a fun and unique idea that you use in your classroom!
I made a poster with of a singer's head/ shoulders with the mouth open and cut out. When I want to demonstrate singing with mouth open, I get behind it and put my mouth in the opening, which looks really silly from the front! My students laugh every time and remember to open their mouths correctly to sing. :)