Interviews
29/10/17
Influential Teacher Interview
Synopsis:
For my influential teacher interview, I chose to interview one of the people that inspired me to be here at Western today, Ms. Christina Bosco. Ms. Bosco was my high school music teacher for all four years of my high school career. Her passion for music, her approachability, and her welcoming and fun classroom, were just some of the things that made me look up to her. I always felt special and valued in her classroom, as many of her students do, and I hope to create an environment like this as a future educator. In the last couple years as I’ve been trying to figure out what I want to do with my future, I couldn’t help but think of Ms. Bosco and how happy and successful she has become; I decided I wanted to be like her. I want to be the teacher that sees a light in every student, who is approachable, and who makes learning fun; Ms. Bosco does these things.
It was very interesting to touch on such serious topics with Ms. Bosco such as, music pedagogy and her inspirations for pursuing teaching. Because Ms. Bosco and I became so close over the course of my high school career, I wasn’t used to having “serious” conversations about her life, but was used to more casual and funny conversations. If our conversations were to become more serious, it was usually around the topic of my future and my aspirations. Having the chance to focus on her ideas of teaching has been very insightful and interesting.
A reoccurring theme in Ms. Bosco’s answers and discussion with me was the importance of helping students feel confident and comfortable, something I found she acted upon very well when I was her student. One example of this theme being, when asked about her personal goals as a teacher, her reply was, “I always hope to inspire students to live and pursue their dreams. Be it performing, learning, appreciating, etc. I hope to build their self-confidence so that they feel as though they are able to do it”. I really liked how she mentions that she wants her students to be confident in whatever they want to pursue, not only from a music point of view. I think that all teachers should strive to build confidence in their students and support their ideas as much as possible, like Ms. Bosco.
Something that I found heart-warming was her response to “What in your opinion, is the best part about being a teacher?” to my surprise, Ms. Bosco replied, “The best thing about teaching is seeing your students move on in your footsteps. Having a student mold their future after something that you have taught them, demonstrated, and lived is the absolute feeling!” Like I mentioned, I aspire to be like Ms. Bosco and to pursue what I love and inspire those around me. When I accepted my offer to Western for music, Ms. Bosco could not have been more thrilled. She kept on telling me, “It is so cool how you are going to have the same experience as I had. You are ready for this”. As a Western Music alumni, she was honoured that I was following the same path as her. I find it amazing how someone who has had such a positive impact on me and who is so inspiring to me like Ms. Bosco, could reflect on her teaching career and choose something that I was a part of to be one of the highlights of her career.
Over all, this interview with Ms. Bosco was a great opportunity to not only hear another educator’s views on teaching, but also to get to know Ms. Bosco, someone I admire so much, better. Ms. Bosco gave me great tips and advice as I go on to pursue my dream of teaching, and also allowed me to view teaching through her perspective.
Highlights of the Interview
Question: “Do you have personal goals as a teacher? If so, what are they?”
Bosco: “I always hope to inspire students to live and pursue their dreams. Be it performing, learning, appreciating, etc. I hope to build their self-confidence so that they feel as though they are able to do it”.
Question: “What in your opinion, is the best part about being a teacher?”
Bosco: “The best thing about teaching is seeing your students move on in your footsteps. Having a student mold their future after something that you have taught them, demonstrated, and lived is the absolute feeling!”
Question: “Has your perspective on teaching changed at all since starting your career? If so, how?”
Bosco: “I can honestly say that it hasn't. I came into this profession with the outlook to bring the love of music into my students’ lives. It is the same today!”
Question: “What in your opinion, is the most challenging part about teaching?”
Bosco: “Sometimes it is difficult trying to get through to the students who may have a ‘road block’ their way (family problems, peer pressures, physical challenges)”
She then continues to say…
“Make sure the classroom is as inviting as possible. Having a judgement free room is important. No one can ever say words that are negative or hurtful. Treat the room like a concert hall where we are full of manners and politeness.”
Question: “What are some tips/ advice you may have for future educators?”
Bosco:“Remember that technology is here and is a very helpful tool but, it doesn't have to/ should not take over in your classroom. I stand by there is NO APP that can make you play your flute better. Practice is the only way to improve; you must stay true to that.”
For my influential teacher interview, I chose to interview one of the people that inspired me to be here at Western today, Ms. Christina Bosco. Ms. Bosco was my high school music teacher for all four years of my high school career. Her passion for music, her approachability, and her welcoming and fun classroom, were just some of the things that made me look up to her. I always felt special and valued in her classroom, as many of her students do, and I hope to create an environment like this as a future educator. In the last couple years as I’ve been trying to figure out what I want to do with my future, I couldn’t help but think of Ms. Bosco and how happy and successful she has become; I decided I wanted to be like her. I want to be the teacher that sees a light in every student, who is approachable, and who makes learning fun; Ms. Bosco does these things.
It was very interesting to touch on such serious topics with Ms. Bosco such as, music pedagogy and her inspirations for pursuing teaching. Because Ms. Bosco and I became so close over the course of my high school career, I wasn’t used to having “serious” conversations about her life, but was used to more casual and funny conversations. If our conversations were to become more serious, it was usually around the topic of my future and my aspirations. Having the chance to focus on her ideas of teaching has been very insightful and interesting.
A reoccurring theme in Ms. Bosco’s answers and discussion with me was the importance of helping students feel confident and comfortable, something I found she acted upon very well when I was her student. One example of this theme being, when asked about her personal goals as a teacher, her reply was, “I always hope to inspire students to live and pursue their dreams. Be it performing, learning, appreciating, etc. I hope to build their self-confidence so that they feel as though they are able to do it”. I really liked how she mentions that she wants her students to be confident in whatever they want to pursue, not only from a music point of view. I think that all teachers should strive to build confidence in their students and support their ideas as much as possible, like Ms. Bosco.
Something that I found heart-warming was her response to “What in your opinion, is the best part about being a teacher?” to my surprise, Ms. Bosco replied, “The best thing about teaching is seeing your students move on in your footsteps. Having a student mold their future after something that you have taught them, demonstrated, and lived is the absolute feeling!” Like I mentioned, I aspire to be like Ms. Bosco and to pursue what I love and inspire those around me. When I accepted my offer to Western for music, Ms. Bosco could not have been more thrilled. She kept on telling me, “It is so cool how you are going to have the same experience as I had. You are ready for this”. As a Western Music alumni, she was honoured that I was following the same path as her. I find it amazing how someone who has had such a positive impact on me and who is so inspiring to me like Ms. Bosco, could reflect on her teaching career and choose something that I was a part of to be one of the highlights of her career.
Over all, this interview with Ms. Bosco was a great opportunity to not only hear another educator’s views on teaching, but also to get to know Ms. Bosco, someone I admire so much, better. Ms. Bosco gave me great tips and advice as I go on to pursue my dream of teaching, and also allowed me to view teaching through her perspective.
Highlights of the Interview
Question: “Do you have personal goals as a teacher? If so, what are they?”
Bosco: “I always hope to inspire students to live and pursue their dreams. Be it performing, learning, appreciating, etc. I hope to build their self-confidence so that they feel as though they are able to do it”.
Question: “What in your opinion, is the best part about being a teacher?”
Bosco: “The best thing about teaching is seeing your students move on in your footsteps. Having a student mold their future after something that you have taught them, demonstrated, and lived is the absolute feeling!”
Question: “Has your perspective on teaching changed at all since starting your career? If so, how?”
Bosco: “I can honestly say that it hasn't. I came into this profession with the outlook to bring the love of music into my students’ lives. It is the same today!”
Question: “What in your opinion, is the most challenging part about teaching?”
Bosco: “Sometimes it is difficult trying to get through to the students who may have a ‘road block’ their way (family problems, peer pressures, physical challenges)”
She then continues to say…
“Make sure the classroom is as inviting as possible. Having a judgement free room is important. No one can ever say words that are negative or hurtful. Treat the room like a concert hall where we are full of manners and politeness.”
Question: “What are some tips/ advice you may have for future educators?”
Bosco:“Remember that technology is here and is a very helpful tool but, it doesn't have to/ should not take over in your classroom. I stand by there is NO APP that can make you play your flute better. Practice is the only way to improve; you must stay true to that.”
11/11/17
Student Interview
Student Interview
11/11/17
Student/ Teacher Perspectives
It was very interesting hearing the different perspectives of both the students and of the influential teacher I interviewed. All of them had very sincere and passionate answers about their perspective of music and how music education plays a role in their life. Throughout the interviewing process and analyzing the responses I collected, I was able to get an idea of what the students think differently about their music education at the high school level than that of the high school music teacher, but also some themes and ideas that both groups had in common.
I found that both the students and teacher I interviewed had the same views on inclusion and energy in the classroom. Ms. Bosco in her interview spoke about how it is important to make every student feel welcome and appreciated in the classroom, helping students gain confidence and have an enjoyable learning process. Both the students I interviewed, Emily and Jacob, agreed that a very important part of feeling confident in a high school music program is having a comfortable environment to work and perform in, something Ms. Bosco provided for these students. Emily, Jacob and Ms. Bosco also all touched on the idea that music works as an outlet of creativity and emotion for them. I found this interesting that all three individuals had such a similar view about the role music has in their life yet they all had such unique musical backgrounds and interests from one another.
Although these three musicians had similar views about the classroom environment, I was able to spot some differences between the views of the students and that of the teacher in other aspects of the music program. Both students that I interviewed pointed out flaws with the way music was being taught in their high school. They both touched on the idea of the music curriculum being too fixed and basic. They both looked for more in the curriculum to challenge them and allow them to be a more creative musician. For example, Emily thought the program lacked help in tone quality and ear training and Jacob wanted to learn more about composition. They both said that their chances to explore and be creative with the music they were playing were little in these classes as well. When talking to Bosco, she had nothing to say about there being a lack of creativity in music curriculum. I think her view is that she wants to see her students succeed at what she is teaching them, even if that I this fixed curriculum Emily and Jacob talked about.
Overall, I was able to make a couple important conclusions from these interviews. The first thing I am able to take away from this experience is that, music is a versatile tool in people’s lives and it can act as an outlet for any musician no matter what skill-level or interests they have. The second observation I made was that, different students have different needs and look for different things in the curriculum to challenge their abilities. Because of this, I think that more communication between the student and teacher is necessary in fulfilling everyone’s needs and wishes in the classroom.
I found that both the students and teacher I interviewed had the same views on inclusion and energy in the classroom. Ms. Bosco in her interview spoke about how it is important to make every student feel welcome and appreciated in the classroom, helping students gain confidence and have an enjoyable learning process. Both the students I interviewed, Emily and Jacob, agreed that a very important part of feeling confident in a high school music program is having a comfortable environment to work and perform in, something Ms. Bosco provided for these students. Emily, Jacob and Ms. Bosco also all touched on the idea that music works as an outlet of creativity and emotion for them. I found this interesting that all three individuals had such a similar view about the role music has in their life yet they all had such unique musical backgrounds and interests from one another.
Although these three musicians had similar views about the classroom environment, I was able to spot some differences between the views of the students and that of the teacher in other aspects of the music program. Both students that I interviewed pointed out flaws with the way music was being taught in their high school. They both touched on the idea of the music curriculum being too fixed and basic. They both looked for more in the curriculum to challenge them and allow them to be a more creative musician. For example, Emily thought the program lacked help in tone quality and ear training and Jacob wanted to learn more about composition. They both said that their chances to explore and be creative with the music they were playing were little in these classes as well. When talking to Bosco, she had nothing to say about there being a lack of creativity in music curriculum. I think her view is that she wants to see her students succeed at what she is teaching them, even if that I this fixed curriculum Emily and Jacob talked about.
Overall, I was able to make a couple important conclusions from these interviews. The first thing I am able to take away from this experience is that, music is a versatile tool in people’s lives and it can act as an outlet for any musician no matter what skill-level or interests they have. The second observation I made was that, different students have different needs and look for different things in the curriculum to challenge their abilities. Because of this, I think that more communication between the student and teacher is necessary in fulfilling everyone’s needs and wishes in the classroom.