Life Stories: Secondary Music Educators Changing to Post-Secondary Teaching
Vanissa B. Murphy, Ph.D.
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
Susan Tarnowski, Ph.D.
Anoka-Ramsey Community College
susan.tarnowski@anokaramsey.edu
Our case study research investigated reasons veteran high school music ensemble directors changed careers to teach at the collegiate level. Also examined were perceptions the teachers held about these environments and whether one was seen to be more satisfactory than the other.
Method. We delimited potential narratives in the case studies by developing questions for reflections on becoming a musician and teacher, encouragement and mentoring, expectations and realities of teaching, interactions with peers, students, and administrators, and music teaching philosophies. Once the documented narratives were completed, critical incidents were identified and grouped into categories that emerged from the data.
Findings. The two narratives shared commonalities and differences. Both subjects described formative experiences in music. For one, the home environment was important; for the other, experiences at school and music camp were vital. One persisted with music despite negativity from others while the other experienced positive feelings; both found self-esteem in music-making. Both described support - administrative and collegial - as vital to their success. The move to post-secondary teaching occasioned reflection. Disillusionment occurred at the beginning of their collegiate careers. Both felt the unified purpose experienced in secondary school had dissipated in their post-secondary institutions. However, opportunities for quality music-making and the chance to network through professional associations served as compensation. Both educators felt their teaching experiences were of value to collegiate students. Belief in excellence characterized both subjects. Analysis of critical incidences in their life stories was found didactically valuable.
Vanissa B. Murphy, Ph.D.
Coordinator, Division of Music Education
Dept. of Music & Theatre Arts
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
Haas Fine Arts 156
Eau Claire, WI 54704-4004
Susan Tarnowski, Ph.D.
Vice President of Educational Services
Anoka-Ramsey Community College
11200 Mississippi Blvd. NW,
Coon Rapids, MN 55433-3470
susan.tarnowski@anokaramsey.edu