Age: 20 I’ve just been learning how to assess secondary school music students. We had to test our own judgments against actual marks and the results showed what a very subjective subject music is!
I want to become a teacher because I want to pass on all the fun I’ve had myself in learning to play piano and guitar. Music is a positive emotional experience and children shouldn’t feel pressured and worried about their lessons.
The most exciting thing that’s happened to me so far is getting to teach an S1S2 class at the end of an observation week in school. We did an arrangement of one of the ‘Titanic’ songs for voice, violin and piano, and it was really rewarding to see the kids performing at the end.
I don’t understand why there isn’t enough money put into schools for music.
Under-privileged kids often miss out.
I hope I’ll be the kind of teacher who can teach kids how to bring out the music inside them and experience the freedom it gives to invent, compose and perform.
The Scottish education system seems to be changing, for the better, I think, and I expect there will be some big differences by the time I finish my qualification.
Louise Spearman is taking a BEd in Music at Aberdeen university
