1-2 Learning Differences

The candidate uses understanding of differences in individuals, cultures, and communities to

ensure inclusive learning environments that enable each learner to meet rigorous standards.

The candidate should complete a reflective essay illustrating the differences of the students
under their supervision.

In any classroom, you will find students of varied backgrounds, home lives, exposure to cultural
diversity and many other factors that make up people as a whole. In the music classroom, we
have the unique experience of being able to use all of that knowledge and incorporate different
cultures into our curriculum. Keeping this in mind, we as educators, also have to take into
account the different learning styles of each student and must provide instruction in varied
ways in one classroom.
My experience both observing this and teaching within those perimeters includes
teaching/ leading at the collegiate level as a student section leader, observing teachers of
different districts and different ages, leading a choir as a student conductor and being a part of
music programs from a young age and experiencing different teaching styles through those
years.
While observing teachers, I noticed that most of them have a varied teaching style. This
ranges from incorporating different elements such as projected notes, notes available online,
audio recordings for different types of learning, lectures, worksheets, physical activities and
other such activities to encourage all types of learners to participate in the class. After seeing all
these different ways to engage all types of learners I wish to do the same in my classroom. I
have only had the short experience of teaching abridged lessons, so I want the chance to
incorporate all these different types of activities.
By working with music, we are more than encouraged to incorporate different cultures
into our teaching. This allows the students to experience different music from around the world
and the history that goes along with it.