When I was in fourth grade at Fairmont Elementary School, I wanted to learn

about music so badly, that I stole my older brother's permission slip to join

Orchestra. I was sneaky and got into Orchestra a year early and started learning

the violin in fourth grade. In fifth grade, I started learning my main instrument,

the trumpet.

 

During my time at Fairmont Jr. & Sr. High School, I was involved in a number of

groups. I was in the marching band, concert band, jazz band, pep band, and pit

orchestra just to name a few. I was selected to go to the Luther College Dorian

Festival twice, was chosen to join the honor band, and was a teacher's assistant

during my senior year. Every year since 9th grade, I would go to Minnesota

State University, Mankato for contest, and I would get superior ratings (which is

the highest rating) and my jazz band got a Best in Site award (which is the best

band they saw during the day) during my senior year. I was also awarded the

Louis Armstrong Jazz Band Award and the Director's Choice Award at the end

of my senior year.

 

When I wasn't in class, I would be working nonstop in the band room, helping out with younger students with technics and strategies that they could use when learning a piece or practicing. When there weren't any students to help, I would work on improving my main instrument as well as learning other musical instruments. All of these opportunities gave me the inspiration to become a music educator.

 

When I realized I wanted to become a music educator, I applied and got into Minnesota State University, Mankato for Instrumental Music Education. I was involved in many ensembles and worked hard in my classes. Starting around my sophomore year of college, I wanted to be involved in as much as possible because I knew that it would help me when I get out into the field for teaching. 

 

During my senior year of college, I was one of the leaders in my major. I was Vice President/Band Manager of the MSU Maverick Machine, Band Administrative Assistant/Score Librarian of the MSU Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band, First Female Undergraduate Guest Conductor of the MSU Symphonic Band, and Co-President of the MSU NAfME club.

 

During the summers, I was still going around Minnesota and communicating with other music educators. I was an MC at Bemidji MusiCamp for a summer, was playing in the Fairmont City Band almost every summer, and played in the Blue Earth Musical Theatre for a couple of years. I got the opportunity of being a Guest Conductor for the Fairmont City Band one night.

 

I did my student teaching at Waseca Intermediate School for 10 weeks with Mr. Craig Brenden and 5 weeks at Oak Crest Elementary School and Belle Plaine Jr. & Sr. High School with Mr. Brian Kotila. They say that you learn the most during your student teaching and believe me I did. Getting out into the field has impacted me and I am absolutely grateful for these music educators to take time out of their hands to help me grow into a stronger music educator and build relationships with their students. They have shown me that teaching is more than just music but making each day brighter and more fun for everyone. 

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After graduating from Minnesota State University, Mankato, the pandemic started and set me back on getting my MTLEs done, but thankfully after a couple of months, I got my first teaching job at Dover-Eyota Public Schools as a long term substitute band/music teacher for the sixth graders. They have been a joy to teach and they have been working so hard during this rough year with COVID happening. It was a joy and a privilege to conduct their first band concert since their concerts have been delayed due to COVID for almost two years! I would have never thought this was how I was going to start my teaching career, but I have been learning something new every day and they are keeping me on my toes, that's for sure. Teaching during a pandemic has taught me how to adjust my teaching from in-person learning to virtual as well as other cool ideas to use in my classroom.

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After working at Dover-Eyota Public Schools, I accepted a job at St. James Middle/High School as the 6th-12th grade band director. It was a great job to apply for since it is a diverse community and close to home. It has been a joy to build a program in my own way and combine all the information I have learned while in college and teaching experiences. I am currently teaching while pursuing a Master's Degree in Music Education at Minnesota State University, Mankato.

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