Erin Rado
Music Educator
King of Prussia,PA
Summary
Dedicated and knowledgeable music instructor with a deep understanding of multiple music pedagogies and a passion for sharing my knowledge to help guide children on their musical journey. My goal as an educator is to foster a lifelong love and appreciation of music in all of my students through engaging lessons that cover robust content but delivered in a joyful manner.
Overview
6
6
years of post-secondary education
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
General Music/Lower House Choral Director
Upper Merion Middle School, UMASD
King of Prussia, PA
06.2022 - Current
- Created a curriculum and teach general music classes to students in grades five through eight.
- Cover topics such as basic music skills, reading standard notation, rhythmic and melodic composition, aural skills, solfege, improvisation, music history, musicals, and technology such as Garage Band, Google Chrome Lab, Groove Pizza, etc.
- Incorporate SEL lessons and concepts into general music curriculm.
- Teach a wide range of instruments including recorders, orff ensemble instruments, various drums for drum circles, piano, ukulele, guitar, and unpitched percussion.
- Developed an adapted music curriculum and teach adaptive music classes for students in grades five through eight.
- Developed a fifth grade music and movement elective available to all fifth grade students.
- Organize and lead recruiting initiatives to maximize choral program outreach.
- Conduct choral rehearsals to keep performers prepared for performances.
- Educated students on proper vocal techniques and vocal warm-ups.
- Maintained calendars of events and assisted in event planning.
- Worked with both adults and children and shaped approaches to align with student experience level and musical knowledge.
- Submitted, managed and complied with established budgets.
- Selected and arranged music for winter and spring concerts as well as other performances.
- Positioned members within groups to obtain balance among instrumental or vocal sections.
- Chose pieces of music to set choir up for success and challenge abilities.
- Planned and directed choir rehearsals to increase music literacy and appreciation.
- Worked effectively in fast-paced environments.
- Demonstrated leadership skills in managing projects from concept to completion.
General Music, Suzuki, Strings Instructor
Upper Merion School District, Caley Elementary School
Upper Merion School District, Upper Merion High School
King of Prussia, PA
08.2006 - 06.2022
- Elementary General Music, Suzuki K-2, Strings 3-4, Chorus.
- Differentiated General Music instruction to students in kindergarten through fourth grade with an emphasis on multi-cultural music and developing a lifelong appreciation for the subject.
- Taught basic building blocks of music such as steady beat, rhythm, tempo, dynamics, form, and more through engaging and cooperative activities.
- Utilized music history and musicians from around the world with different ethnicities, genders, and backgrounds to create meaningful lessons and connections for students that model examples of grit, perseverance, and determination despite difficult circumstances.
- Organized, scheduled, and directed a Suzuki program to students in grade kindergarten through second grade as well as their parents who attended the lessons. Students were involved in multiple performance opportunities during the school day as well as evening and district performances.
- Organized multiple opportunities for general music students to perform in programs such as: annual Holiday Sing Along, grade level plays, school folk dance assemblies, Fourth Grade Promotion, and the District Arts Fest.
- Taught an elementary strings program to students in second through fourth grade, learning to read standard notation as well as basic fundamental skills on their instruments. Accompanied school and district level Suzuki and String performances on the piano.
- Evaluated and revised lesson plans and course content to achieve student-centered learning.
- Applied various teaching aids to minimize learning gaps and effectively instruct and motivate students.
- Observed other instructors and lecturers, gathering valuable techniques to be implemented into future lectures and courses.
- Maintained student records and evaluated each pupil's musical growth, performance and musical understanding.
- Advised parents of student progress by communicating student's achievements and developing methods for improvement.
LTS - General Music, Suzuki, Elementary Strings
Candlebrook and Caley Elementary Schools
King of Prussia, PA
01.2005 - 06.2006
- Responsibilities included teaching weekly general music classes to first through fourth grade, Suzuki strings for students and parents in kindergarten through second grade, and elementary strings to students in third and fourth grade.
- Planned, organized, and directed school and district wide string and Suzuki assemblies and concerts. Was the piano accompanist for the concerts.
- Directed the annual Holiday Sing Along, Third and Fourth Grade Play "Education Rocks", third grade dance assembly, and Fourth Grade Promotion ceremony.
- Maintained daily student records and evaluated student progress.
- Facilitated group sessions and provided one-on-one support.
- Developed lesson plans surrounding various types of art, history and culture from around the world to connect to the music lessons.
- Mentored struggling students with individualized approach to enhance learning..
- Advanced school's creative and academic reputation in accordance with established values and vision through promotion.
- Developed strong working relationships with teachers, parents and students to propel school and departmental vision and goals.
- Planned and executed targeted lesson plans to instruct on music theory, music history and performance etiquette.
Preschool/Pre-kindergarten teacher
Goddard School of Exton
Exton, Pa
01.2005 - 07.2005
- Responsibilities included: co-teaching pre-school and pre-kindergarten subject areas such as music and movement, cognitive skills, motor skills, language skills, creative art, technology, and science.
- Educated students in foundational concepts such as shapes, numbers and letters.
- Promoted physical, academic and social development by implementing diverse classroom and outside activities.
- Gave one-on-one attention to children while maintaining overall focus on entire group.
- Fostered reasoning and problem solving through active exploration games and activities.
Student Teacher - General Music and Choral
Primos Elementary School
Primos, PA
10.2004 - 12.2004
- Responsibilities included teaching general music for 1st grade through 5th grade students, an adapted music class for students with special needs, as well as a 4th grade, 5th grade, and select choir.
- Assisted cooperating teacher with the fourth and fifth grade choral program including evening performances.
- Planned and implemented integrated lessons to meet national standards.
- Communicated frequently with parents, students and faculty to provide feedback and discuss instructional strategies.
- Stood in for teachers, checking lesson plans to provide consistent teaching to students.
- Helped teachers decorate and organize classrooms with age-specific decor and organization prior to classes starting.
- Took detailed notes on teaching processes before designing lessons, adapting methods to classroom types and student interests.
- Familiarized students with basic building blocks of music including steady beat, tempo, rhythm, dynamics, articulation, form, standard notation, etc.
Student Teacher- High School Band and Theory
Phoenixville High School
Phoenixville, PA
09.2004 - 12.2004
- Responsibilities included teaching three ensembles: concert band, symphonic band, and wind ensemble as well as two theory classes open to grades nine through twelve.
- Evaluated students' academic and social growth, kept appropriate records and prepared progress reports to gauge performance.
- Fostered positive and pleasant classroom culture while maintaining learning development goals.
Education
Master of Education and Educational Supervision -
Cabrini University
Radnor, PA 19087 01.2008 - 01.2010
Orff Level 1 Certification -
Villanova University
Villanova, PA 06.2010 - 08.2010
Bachelor of Music Education - Music Education
West Chester University
West Chester, PA 01.2000 - 01.2004
Skills
Collaboration with homeroom, specialist, and special education teachers to ensure all students needs are met and connections can be made across the curriculum
Leadership role in music department- organize monthly meetings with colleagues and administration, piloted two curriculums and worked with administration to purchase new curriculum and smartboards for all music teachers
Organizing and directing grade level, school wide, and district wide rehearsals, assemblies, and evening performances for Suzuki, Strings, Choral, and General Music
Thorough knowledge of music skills and curriculum and the ability to teach these skills to students of all ages and academic levels through actively engaging lessons that foster students love and appreciation of music
Utilizing relationship building in the classroom to form a rapport with students, get them excited to come to music class, and in turn help aid classroom management skills
Verbal and written communication with families so they are aware of what their child is learning in class and how it could be supplemented at home
Individualized support for students who are struggling or for those who need an extra challenge
Continuing to pursue professional development workshops to further develop music education as well as implementing new technology into the music classroom
Well versed in technology such as: Smart Notebook, Flipgrid, Nearpod, Google Slides, Zoom, Sibelius, Audacity, Garage Band, and more
Affiliations
- PSEA 2004-2006
- PAOSA 2005 -
- AOSA 2005-
- Main Line Symphony Orchestra - 2006-2009
- Valley Forge Chorale - 2010-2013
- Norristown Chorale - 2014-2016
Work Availability
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
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Additional Information
- Honors and Awards: Semper Fideles Award 2000 Graduated Cum Laude 2004 Employee of the Month 2005 Dean’s List 2004-2005 Graduated Summa Cum Laude 2010
Quote
Music education opens doors that help children pass from school into the world around them- a world of work, culture, intellectual activity, and human involvement. The future of our nation depends on providing our children with a complete education that includes music.
Gerald Ford
Timeline
General Music/Lower House Choral Director
Upper Merion Middle School, UMASD
06.2022 - Current
Orff Level 1 Certification -
Villanova University
06.2010 - 08.2010
Master of Education and Educational Supervision -
Cabrini University
01.2008 - 01.2010
General Music, Suzuki, Strings Instructor
Upper Merion School District, Caley Elementary School
Upper Merion School District, Upper Merion High School
08.2006 - 06.2022
LTS - General Music, Suzuki, Elementary Strings
Candlebrook and Caley Elementary Schools
01.2005 - 06.2006
Preschool/Pre-kindergarten teacher
Goddard School of Exton
01.2005 - 07.2005
Student Teacher - General Music and Choral
Primos Elementary School
10.2004 - 12.2004
Student Teacher- High School Band and Theory
Phoenixville High School
09.2004 - 12.2004
Bachelor of Music Education - Music Education
West Chester University
01.2000 - 01.2004