Entry #10

The candidate seeks appropriate leadership roles and opportunities to take responsibility for student learning, to collaborate with learners, families, colleagues, other school professionals, support staff, and community members to ensure learner growth, and to advance the profession. 

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As a music educator, I engage in leadership opportunities to advance the profession and collaborate with others in my community. One aspect of my formal education that I frequently use, are the concepts I gained from my Leadership Studies minor. This minor centered around creating inclusive communities suitable for a diverse and changing world. Topics covered were personal leadership styles, studies of other successful leaders, and exercises encouraging students to work as a team to contribute back to our community. I used many of the techniques here, among others, in my other leadership roles. I was the marching and maneuvering instructor for the Kansas State University Marching Band for two years and was awarded the outstanding marching instructor both years. Once I returned to Kansas State, I also contributed as a Graduate Staff Member for the bands. Outside of selected leadership roles, I co-founded and directed the inaugural new music ensemble at Kansas State. Most other schools of our caliber had something similar. Seeing the gap in our program, I started inviting peers to perform music by living composers after a call for scores. The first year we ended up performing at a regional composers conference live. As a composer of band music I contribute back to the field by sharing my music and speaking about my experiences with other groups such as ensembles at University of Texas San Antonio, the University of Akron, and Texas Women's University. Additionally I contributed toward new initiatives in the band community by writing music for beginning adaptable band. 

Students will benefit from my past and current leadership experience because I am constantly looking for ways to make a difference in my community through music. I believe that music brings communities together and by giving back to the community, my programs will not lack for support. I also will initiate additional music opportunities outside of the classroom such as booster programs, musical theater performances, chamber music, and lessons.