Expertise
Expertise for an educator of any sort can be defined simply; one must have a thorough understanding of his field if he intends to easily communicate the subject matter to his students. However, there is much more to being a great educator than being an expert in one's subject. True, being well-versed, well-practiced, and well-educated are necessary to this feat, but I believe that there are other skills to be honed in order to present one's expertise effectively.
An educator must know what he doesn't know, in the sense that he's humble enough to ask for help when needed. He should constantly be on pursuit for knowledge, and he must build professional relationships with administrators, colleagues, coworkers, and people within his community to gain that knowledge. Being an expert in a field doesn't necessarily mean being a know-it-all; it's important to find one's niche and focus on it, but it's just as crucial that one knows how to plan ahead and self-evaluate.
As a future music educator, I understand the importance of practice time not only on my primary instrument, but my secondary and social instruments as well. Understanding basic pedagogy for all instruments (including voice) and how to model them effectively is crucial to comprehensive musicianship and personal expertise. My remaining time at BSU will hopefully prepare me in these areas. Through micro-teachings and general music courses, I hope to develop a strong knowledge of the content I wish to teach. Classes such as orchestration, conducting, and various techniques classes will also aid me in developing my expertise. Even after I complete my college education and secure my license to teach, I hope to continue learning and expand my knowledge of musc. Through personal endeavors, participating in professional organizations, and networking and collaborating with other musicians and educators, I hope to continue growing as a musician, an educator, and a student to provide an effective, well-rounded music program. Then, and only then, will I feel that I've achieved expertise in my field.
An educator must know what he doesn't know, in the sense that he's humble enough to ask for help when needed. He should constantly be on pursuit for knowledge, and he must build professional relationships with administrators, colleagues, coworkers, and people within his community to gain that knowledge. Being an expert in a field doesn't necessarily mean being a know-it-all; it's important to find one's niche and focus on it, but it's just as crucial that one knows how to plan ahead and self-evaluate.
As a future music educator, I understand the importance of practice time not only on my primary instrument, but my secondary and social instruments as well. Understanding basic pedagogy for all instruments (including voice) and how to model them effectively is crucial to comprehensive musicianship and personal expertise. My remaining time at BSU will hopefully prepare me in these areas. Through micro-teachings and general music courses, I hope to develop a strong knowledge of the content I wish to teach. Classes such as orchestration, conducting, and various techniques classes will also aid me in developing my expertise. Even after I complete my college education and secure my license to teach, I hope to continue learning and expand my knowledge of musc. Through personal endeavors, participating in professional organizations, and networking and collaborating with other musicians and educators, I hope to continue growing as a musician, an educator, and a student to provide an effective, well-rounded music program. Then, and only then, will I feel that I've achieved expertise in my field.
