A Pilot Study of Retention, Retraining and
Revitalization Among
Elementary Music Teachers in Wisconsin and
Minnesota
Susan Tarnowski
The College of St. Scholastica
Vanissa B. Murphy
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
Abstract
As
student populations grow and music teachers retire or leave the profession,
teacher recruitment, retention, retraining, and revitalization emerge as significant
topics of concern for music educators and administrators. Most writings in this
area do not address the reasons music teachers choose to continue teaching or
the teachers’ perceived professional development needs. The purpose of
this pilot study was to investigate why experienced teachers initially entered
elementary music teaching and why they remain in the profession. This study
also investigated the retraining and revitalization activities experienced
teachers seek.
Method. A survey was field tested, revised and sent to a sample of
elementary general music teachers belonging to Music Educators Associations in
two states. Reminders were sent to all participants.
Results. Of the 816 surveys mailed, 281 were returned for a return
rate of 34.44%. Frequencies were tabulated in a spreadsheet and percentages
were calculated for the data. The study showed that a large percentage of the
experienced teachers who remain in elementary music teaching are satisfied with
their career choice, and report that their love of both children and the
subject area of music are primary reasons they both entered and remain in the
field. Results showed that over half of the respondents have formally or
informally retrained to incorporate new approaches such as Orff, Kodaly,
standards-based, interdisciplinary teaching, World Musics, and technology. Over
half of these teachers maintain an interest in continuing their professional
development activities in the Orff approach, teaching with technology,
assessment in music, and standards-based teaching.
Vanissa B.
Murphy
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
Vice
President for Academic Affairs/Dean of Faculty
The College of St. Scholastica
Duluth, MN