I’m excited to share this conversation with Jessica Grant! Jessica brings wisdom and encouragement to educators as they face everyday challenges of teaching music.

So often, the challenges of music pedagogy are not the things that weigh on teachers at the end of the day. Communication with colleagues, feeling overwhelmed by the workload, managing difficult student behaviors, and initiating conversations with parents or guardians can feel more overwhelming.

Jessica’s perspective is grounded both in the reality of teaching, and in optimistic encouragement for music teachers.

In This Conversation:

03:03 - It’s Jessica Grant!

03:12 - Jessica’s teaching situation

04:54 - Teaching upper elementary and middle school general music

05:52 - Music is for everyone

08:33 - Self-care and teachers as people

16:58 - Asking for help

20:39 - Organizing volunteers

30:49 - Asking for help with a team mindset

36:59 - Initiating difficult conversations with parents

42:27 - Building bridges

47:24 - The first parent phone call

54:45 - The mindset before the call

01:00:06 - Information without interpretation

01:00:50 - Practice with the positive

01:03:08 - Start small. Start with understanding

01:04:30 - Quick Questions: Why should we write?

01:05:45 - Quick Questions: What was a recent win in your classroom?

01:07:00 - Quick Questions: What is the next teaching project you’re excited about?

01:08:58 - Where to learn more

01:13:19 - Where to find Jessica