4 Actions for Arts Education

This post is part of our “Arts Education is Essential” series highlighting advocacy for music education. 

Arts education is more essential than ever, and your voice needs to be heard. As we interact with teachers across the country there is a common theme – everyone is learning to adapt. At this moment, districts are developing Return–to–Learn strategies for the fall and it is vital that you let them know how YOU effectively educate music students each school year, next year included. 

Over the last several decades, arts education has shifted to incorporate engaging and exciting elements of movement, collaboration, and ensemble work. Music is experiential, but we can define and create those experiences. As schools adapt for the fall with social distancing and safety, our music classrooms may have to find a new rhythm. It is up to all of us to develop creative, flexible, and innovative solutions that can help you and your students thrive amid change. 

Step 1: Engage Your Administration 

Our first recommendation is to engage with your administration and be part of the conversation. When schools went virtual this spring, many educators felt disconnected from their principals and superintendents, and the administrators are also not seeing the impact and importance of music on their students. Music and the arts are essential at providing space for creative expression, processing this time of immense change, and social and emotional development.  

 If you have not already, reach out to your principal today! Here is a sample email to make your first steps easier. Add and embellish as you see fit. 

Dear [Principal Name], 

 

I hope you are well. This spring has been transformative to say the least. I appreciate the hard work you have been putting in as we have been navigating these massive changes to the classroom. 

 

I know there is a lot of work happening as we figure out what classrooms might look like in the fall. I wanted to reach out to you now to share my ideas for the music classroom so we can be prepared for how we want to approach the classroom this year. There are a variety of ways we can adapt our approach, and I want to work with you to figure out the best solution that meets the safety and educational goals of our students. 

 

Music has a proven impact on the social and emotional learning goals for students. With everything happening in the world at this moment, I believe music can be a vital tool to keep our students engaged with the school community and each other, and help us achieve great learning outcomes. 

 

Please let me know when is a good time to talk so I can share my ideas and plans for the classroom. 

  

Sincerely, 

[Teacher Name] 

We created this letter to be a tool to open the opportunity for a larger conversation. Right now, we need to do what we can to ensure transparent and informative communication. Plans are being made for the fall music classroom; if your voice is not part of those conversations, assumptions and adjustments may be made that could impact your teaching experience immensely. 

Step 2: Develop Plans A, B, C, D, E, F… 

We know this is supposed to be summer break – a chance to recharge the batteries. But it’s also a time to think creatively. We believe that educators with a solid plan, as well as plenty of backup plans, will be valuable partners in the solutions for the fall. Education must prepare for a variety of classroom scenarios now, so we can successfully return in the fall and pivot when needed. If we see increases in transmission, could we go back to being virtual? With more time to plan, how can we be better equipped to adapt our lessons for virtual and online education? Here are elements of recommendations to develop: 

• In–Person Instruction – What is your plan for your students if they come back in person? Are you going to social distance, will activity units shift, do you need different instruments due to cleaning and safety protocols? Will you be traveling from room to room instead of having a dedicated music room that the students get to come to? 
• Hybrid Model (Some In–Person, Some Virtual) – Many districts are looking at split scheduling, rotating in–person instruction and at–home virtual education, or a variation of those options. How can you be prepared for this hybrid model? Look at taking elements of your in-person plan and adapting it to be used virtually through videos, documents, games, etc. We are seeing teachers develop YouTube videos for the students on virtual days! Create video assignments for the student to record at home on their own. Do you have the right tools and tech to teach online? Do students need their own music kits, to make music at home with a common set of instruments? 
• Online Only – While it does look like schools will be coming back in–person this fall, it is good to be prepared for your school to go virtual. We have heard the discussion that the younger students could be in–person, but older students, who can be home alone, may do most of their instruction virtually. How can you shift group music-making into an online-only environment? There are great conversations happening right now on social media and many teachers are extremely creative. 

The biggest focus is to be prepared for a variety of options. Write your plans down and have them ready for your conversation with your administrator. Let them know you are equipped and ready for whatever the fall school year may hold. It will give them added confidence in your work, will have you prepared to speak about how you’ll be offering this vital class. Plus, it’ll give you both some peace of mind when preparing to return to school in the fall. It is better to be prepared now, than having to improvise at the last minute. 

By creating multiple plans, you will also be ready to face whatever the next challenge might be! YOU can advocate and speak to the plan that is the best educational experience for your students. Administrators are facing massive changes to education and limited budgets from the state. Arts education IS essential, and we do not need to find ways to make it as cheap as possible. It is our job to show we are important and prepared to meet this challenge, head-on. After all, teaching is the greatest form of optimism. We’re shaping the young minds of the future, isn’t that essential? 

Step 3: Share Your Impact 

We know for many that the year did not end as planned. You may not have had a year-end music presentation in which parents, teachers, students, and administrators get to see all the progress students made in the music room over the last year. We understand the emotion and sense of accomplishment that goes into the year-end performance.  

Take time now to capture what you DID accomplish this past year and share it! Use social media to share your favorite moments with your parents and peers. If possible, collect videos, pictures, and stories to share with your administration. Let them know that you missed getting a chance to gather one last time, but as a thank you for a crazy year, here are some of the highlights of what you accomplished with your students in the 2019-2020 school year. The emotional bond you form with your students is vital to their connection to the school and their commitment to their education! 

Step 4: Remain Flexible

You’ve been in touch, developed, and shared your plans, documented the impact your classroom has on your students, and now you need to continue to remain flexible. You’ve put all these ideas on paper so you can be prepared to use them when needed. However, as the last months have shown us, there will always be new surprises around the corner. Having a plan will give you a starting point, and allow you to adjust as the moments present themselves. 

This coming fall will be an important test for all of us. We know that if we are active voices today, it will ensure the important role of arts education in the future. Start now by reaching out to your administration. Set up a time to have your voice be part of the Return-to-Learn plan. Share the Arts Education Is Essential statement and start working on your plans now. 

You’re doing great – keep the music and the positivity going! You’ve got this and we are here to support you every step of the way.