Justin Simon
Lafayette,LA
Summary
Dependable, dedicated and enthusiastic music educator with over 16 years of professional teaching experience. Proven leadership abilities with a track record of establishing and maintaining strong working relationships with students, parents, administration, and fellow faculty members. Knowledge of Sibelius, Google Suite, Microsoft Word, Power Point, Remind101. Honest and not afraid to learn new skills.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
Teacher/ Lache Pas
Vermilion Parish School Board
08.2023 - Current
- Developed strong relationships with students, parents, and colleagues by maintaining open lines of communication and fostering a supportive learning environment.
- Introduced students to various elements of Cajun culture.
- Taught fiddle/guitar/accordion.
- Helped facilitate art lessons taught by guest teachers from the Acadiana Center for the Arts.
- Worked with guest musicians to plan lessons and performances.
- Collaborated with other teachers to plan interdisciplinary units that connected subjects and promoted deeper understanding among students.
Band Director J.H. Williams Middle School
Vermilion Parish School Board
07.2019 - Current
- Teaches 6th, 7th, and 8th grade band
- 2 band programs
- Intermediate band consisting of 6th grade and beginning band students
- Advanced band consisting of 7th grade and Participated in the 2024 District Large Ensemble Assessment earning a a rating of Excellent on stage and Superior in Sight Reading
- Participated in the 2023 District Large Ensemble Assessment earning a a rating of Excellent on stage and Superior in Sight Reading
- Participated in the 2022 District Large Ensemble Assessment
- 2022 Sweepstakes at District Assessment
- Created a guitar club in 2022 with the assistance of my assistant principal concentrating on local Louisiana music
- 2019 and 2020 created an after school jazz group to introduce students to jazz music.
- Promoted teamwork within ensembles leading to improved collaboration between sections during performances.
- Provided constructive feedback during rehearsals, helping students grow as musicians and performers.
Assistant Band Director Abbeville High School Band
Vermilion Parish School Board
07.2019 - 12.2022
- Taught marching basics for the 2019, 2020, 2022 marching seasons
- Assisted with daily after school rehearsals as well as football games and marching festivals.
- Assisted in designing engaging, challenging, and culturally diverse music programs for various events.
- Promoted teamwork among students by encouraging collaboration while preparing for ensemble performances.
- Fostered a safe, inclusive environment where students felt comfortable expressing their creativity and exploring new musical experiences.
Band Director Midland High School
Acadia Parish School Board
07.2011 - 07.2019
- Teaches 8th grade through 12th grade band students
- Teaches Fine Arts Survey for non-music students on the various performing arts and music history
- Increased enrollment in the programs size
- Participated annually in District Large Ensemble Assessment
- 2012 Superior in Sight-Reading at District Assessment
- 2013 Sweepstakes at District Assessment
- 2014 Superior in Sight-Reading at District Assessment
- 2015 Superior on Stage at District Assessment
- 2016 Sweepstakes at District Assessment
- 2017 Sweepstakes at District Assessment
- 2018 Sweepstakes at District Assessment
- Participated in State Large Ensemble Assessment
- 2013 Superior in Sight reading at State Assessment
- 2015 Superior on Stage at State Assessment
- 2016 Sweepstakes at State Assessment
- 2017 Superior in Sight-Reading at State Assessment
- 2018 Excellent on stage and a Superior in Sight-Reading at State Assessment
- Participated in the 2014 Louisiana Concert Band Assessment Invitational receiving Musical Excellence and Outstanding Achievement Award
- Provides positive exposure for the band program through worthwhile performances including parades, basketball games, community involvement, jazz band, and festivals
- Coordinates annual food concessions at Crowley Rice Festival to fund band account along with other raffle fundraisers and various BBQ burger sales throughout the years as necessary
- Hosts and helps organize Acadia Parish Honor Band annually
- Manages and maintains the music inventory, as well as the purchase of instruments, music, equipment, and facilitates repair services
- Utilizes Remind101 to encourage parent involvement through verbal communication
- Maintains professional relationship with parents, students, principals, and teachers
- Recognized by community leaders for the band’s participation in various parades and Veteran’s day activities
- Established a filing system for music library inventory
- Traveled with the band for performances in San Antonio Texas, and Branson, Missouri.
Band Director, Morse Elementary School
Acadia Parish School Board
07.2011 - 05.2019
- Teaches 5th grade beginning band through 7th grade band
- Teaches beginning band students with fundamentals including posture, breathing, and fingering techniques
- Teaches 6th and 7th grade students more advanced terms, techniques, and styles that were not covered in their beginning band year, as well as skills that build from their beginning band year
- Taught recorder to 4th grade and flutophone to 3rd grade, 2011 and 2012
- Taught classroom music to lower grades where they were introduced to the basic aspects of music such as tempo, pitch, dynamics, and rhythm
- Introduced them to various band instruments by demonstrating them in person and providing them with the opportunity to try them 2011 and 2012.
Band Director Mermentau Elementary School
Acadia Parish School Board
07.2012 - 07.2013
- Taught beginning band to 5th grade
- Taught all beginning band students with fundamentals including posture, breathing, and fingering techniques.
Band Director Church Point Middle & High Schools
Acadia Parish School Board
07.2008 - 07.2011
- Taught beginning band through 8th grade advanced band
- Reintroduced marching band performances for halftime entertainment
- Established a percussion methods class to better educate students, as well as a color guard to get more students involved with the school
- Attended District III Large Ensemble Festival from 2009-2011
- Managed and maintained the purchase of instruments, music, equipment and facilitated repair services when needed
- Organized fundraisers while coordinating with school officials and fundraising companies.
- Promoted teamwork within ensembles leading to improved collaboration between sections during performances.
- Provided constructive feedback during rehearsals, helping students grow as musicians and performers.
- Inventoried, maintained, repaired, and purchased new instruments and gear for department.
- Monitored student progress based on detailed weekly lesson plans and assessments.
- Managed inventory of instruments, sheet music, accessories, ensuring proper maintenance and availability for all band members.
Education
Bachelor of Music Education - Instrumental Music Education
University of Louisiana At Lafayette, College of Education
Lafayette, LA05.2008
Diploma -
Abbeville High School
Abbeville, LA05.2001
Skills
- Fast Learner
- Time Management
- Computer Skills
- Team Collaboration
- Verbal and written communication
- Relationship Building
- Workload Management
- Administrative duties
- Schedule and calendar management
- Event Planning
- Schedule Coordination
- Professional and mature
Accomplishments
Recognized as J.H. Williams Teacher of the Year in 2022-2023 school year and the Vermilion Parish Middle School Teacher of the year in 2022-2023 school year.
Organizations And Honors
- Louisiana Music Educators Association (LMEA), Member 2011-present
- South Louisiana Band Directors Association (SLBDA) 2008 - present
- National Association for Music Education (NAfME), Member 2011-present
- National Education Association (NEA), Member 2008-present
- Louisiana Association of Educators (LAE), Member 2008-present
- Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia (Delta Epsilon), Member 2004-2008
- Pride of Acadiana, Member 2001-2006
School Related Experiences
- Acadiana High School, Jared Gray, (337) 981-1708, 3 years prior to the start of school and throughout marching seasons 2005-2007, prior to the start of student teaching., Guided various sectionals, other rehearsals, and basics blocks.
- Student Teacher, Jude Gaspard/Greg Ashurst (Supervising Teacher), (337) 893-8921, Spring 2008, Instructed second jazz ensemble., Planned and organized materials for upcoming concert., Motivated students by creating an active learning environment.
- North Vermillion, Jude Gaspard/Greg Ashurst (Supervising Teacher), (337) 893-8921, Spring 2008, Planned and organized materials to assist director for upcoming concerts., Worked with students at varying levels of ability.
References
- Diane Comeaux, Principal, J.H. Williams Middle School, 1105 Prairie Ave, Abbeville, LA, 70510, (337) 893-3943
- Ryan Abshire, Vice Principal, J.H. Williams Middle School, 1105 Prairie Ave, Abbeville, LA, 70510, (337) 893-3943
- Tim Farnsworth, Band Director, Abbeville High School, 1305 Wildcat Dr, Abbeville, LA, 70510, (337) 893 - 4436
- Charles Guardia Jr., Band Director, Southside High School, 312 Almonaster Rd, Youngsville, LA, 70592, (337) 380-3720
- Brock Meaux, Band Director, Gueydan High School, 901 Main Street, Gueydan, LA, 70542, (337) 523-9152
- Hollie Fruge, Curriculum Coordinator, Crowley Elementary School, 305 E. Lougarre Street, Church Point, LA, 70525, (337) 884-3207
Timeline
Teacher/ Lache Pas
Vermilion Parish School Board
08.2023 - Current
Assistant Band Director Abbeville High School Band
Vermilion Parish School Board
07.2019 - 12.2022
Band Director J.H. Williams Middle School
Vermilion Parish School Board
07.2019 - Current
Band Director Mermentau Elementary School
Acadia Parish School Board
07.2012 - 07.2013
Band Director Midland High School
Acadia Parish School Board
07.2011 - 07.2019
Band Director, Morse Elementary School
Acadia Parish School Board
07.2011 - 05.2019
Band Director Church Point Middle & High Schools
Acadia Parish School Board
07.2008 - 07.2011
Bachelor of Music Education - Instrumental Music Education
University of Louisiana At Lafayette, College of Education
Diploma -
Abbeville High School
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