Linda Thrower
Houston,TX
Summary
Enthusiastic music instructor with strong foundation in musical theory and instruction. Highly competent in teaching proper techniques for diverse active learning music styles. Skilled music teacher offering many years of experience as educator, leader and performer. Knowledgeable about classroom instruction, performances, and multimedia strategies. Adept at exciting students about dramatic and literary arts and musical performance techniques. Excels in organization of musical and dramatic performances for student productions. Motivated by helping students meet goals and foster lifelong love of music.
Overview
37
37
years of professional experience
Work History
Music Instructor
Katy ISD
08.2021 - 08.2023
- Taught elementary music Grades PreK-5
- Designed engaging practice routines that reinforced essential skills while keeping learners motivated and focused on improvement goals.
- Encouraged and increased student participation through implementation of grade level and school wide performance opportunities
- Collaborated with Specials Team Teachers on Field Day, Curriculum Nights
- Directed and wrote grade level performances such as Veteran's Day and Christmas program incorporating instruments ,acting, and choreography and costumes.
- Directed the 4th and 5th grade choir with multiple performances each year including the Fall and Spring concerts.
- Directed the Schmalz District choir members that were a part of the Katy ISD district choir.
- Implemented The quaver Music Curriculum Technology as a resource in addition to the district music curriculum.
Music Instructor
J.L. Lyon Elementary School in Magnolia ISD
08.2016 - 07.2021
- Music grades PreK-5
- Integrated technology into music lessons ( smartboards, Quaver Music Curriculum ,McMillan Music Curriciulm, power points, etc.)
- Encouraged and increased student participation through implementation of grade level and school wide performance opportunities
- Collaborated with Specials Team teachers on Western Dance day and field day activities.
- Wrote and directed grade level programs such as "Salute to America" ( Veteran's Day ), "The Pecan Pie Man" (Texas play), "The Nutcracker Musical"
- Directed 4th and 5th grade Lyon Honor Choir and Drama Team with multiple performances each year including being invited to perform at the Magnolia City Christmas Tree Lighting Concert , The Greater North Houston Music Festival, The Christmas Concert, And the Pop Show in the Spring.
- Implemented the Quaver Music Curriculum Technology as a resource in addition to the district music curriculum with lots of hands on activities, classroom instruments, and folk dancing .
- Student teacher mentor for a music student teacher who was later hired by the district.
Music Instructor
Postma Elementary School in Cy-Fair ISD
08.2005 - 08.2016
- Taught music to K-5th grades
- Selected to open a new school and establish the music program.
- Directed the Opening Ceremony Show Choir to honor the Mrs. Postma ,the namesake of our school.
- Integrated Technology into music lessons (smartboard, student computers, Quaver Music Curriculum and McMillan Music Curriculum, power points, etc.)
- Collaborated with PEAM teachers on Western Dance Day, helped to facilitate Field Day,
- Directed and wrote many of the grade level music programs including Veteran's Day Celebration , The Nutcracker Musical with costumes, acting and choreography .
- Director of Postma Honor Choir for 4th and fifth grades with multiple performances each year including the Annual Christmas Concert and Sing-Along
- Directed the Postma team of District Choir
- Directed the Music Memory team
- Established a school wide Talent show
- Parent communication with articles about music and programs in the school newsletter online
Music Instructor
Holbrook Elementary School in Cy-Fair ISD
07.2003 - 08.2005
- Music grades K-5
- Used a variety of technologies to engage students in class instruction and diversify approaches(computers, power points, smart boards, Music Ace, and San Francisco Orchestra kids pages)
- Directed PTO grade level programs and concerts, Christmas Choir Concert , Western Day square dance program, and directed music for special events
- Directed the Holbrook District Choir team, and District Music Memory Team
- Represented Specials Team on school wide social committee, attended district music meetings and collaborated with Specials Team in planning special events throughout the year
- Created costumes, props, scenery, and scripts to encourage and increase student participation in performances
Music Instructor
West Memorial Elementary in Katy ISD
07.2001 - 08.2003
- Taught Music Prek-5th grades
- Created and implemented daily lessons that accommodated multiple intelligences, aligned with the curriculum and state standards
- Integrated technology ( smartboards, power points, distance learning, school-wide daily announcements on a 5th grade directed morning show(cameras and equipment acquired through a grant)
- Choral Director of West Memorial Honor Choir , Director for the Katy District Choir team members, Grade level PTO musical programs, Musical Director for Kinder and 5h grade graduations, and Music Director for special events
- Collaborated in Specials Team meetings to present PEAM Night ( to highlight special units),Field Day, and other special events
- Monthly planning with district music teachers to align TEKS Music objectives and implemented them in creative ways into lessons
Private Piano Teacher
Self Employed
07.1999 - 08.2001
- Taught piano students at our home
Music Instructor
Lowery Elementary in Cy-Fair ISD
07.1988 - 07.1999
- Attended all staff meetings and professional development workshops, collaborated with Specials Team to plan and coordinate special events and grade level programs and performances
- Recorder Karate grades 4-5,Director of PTO musical programs for grade levels, created costumes, sets, props and wrote scripts to help students achieve excellent experiences in their performances
- Director of the District Choir members team, Director of the District Music Memory Team, and Director of the Lowery Honor Choir graduations and other events
- Attended district Music meetings to collaborate with other music teachers to create challenging and exciting lessons to teach the Music TEKS
- Collaborated with a staff committee for the annual PTO Appreciation Luncheon and Style show
- Director of the school -wide Talent Show
Music Instructor
Post Elementary in Cy-Fair ISD
07.1986 - 08.1988
- Music grades 1-5
- Recorder Karate grades 4-5
- Director of PTO grade level musicals and concerts
- Director for District Choral Festival school team, the Post Honor Choir,and Director of the District Music Memory team
- Collaborated with Specials Team, faculty, parents in planning special events throughout the year
Education
Teacher Certification - Self-Contained 1st-8th Texas
Teacher Certification - Music 1st-8th Texas
Bachelor of Science - Elementary Education/Music
Baylor University
Waco, TX01.1986
Skills
- Creative Lesson Plan Development
- Musicianship Skills
- Multi-Sensory Lessons
- Quality Music Programs
- Student Motivation Discipline Plan
- Whole Group Learning
- Technology Integration
- Personable and Outgoing
- Positive Learning Environment
- Strong Communication Skills
- Music Theory
- Choral ensemble direction
- Team Collaboration
Accomplishments
- Professional soprano vocalist in Texas, Louisiana and abroad such as Ecuador, India as soloist for Houston's First Baptist Church with Pastor John Bisango preaching .
- Studio musician for individuals and Word Music in college at Baylor University.
- Soloist for weddings, churches, revivals, funerals, church camps, and other community events.
- Performed in demo videos for Word Music ( For Unto Y'all, and Thee Salt and Light)
- In high school performed and traveled to many states with Broadmoor Senior High Acapella Choir , and Denims and Diamonds Show Choir 9-12 grades. Also attended many solo and ensemble competitions with these groups receiving top scores and honors
- Louisiana All State Choir 11 and 12 grade
- Louisiana all Parish Choir 7-12 grades
- LSU operas "Falstaff" performing ballet and "Carmen" children's chorus in elementary
- Houston First Baptist Choir multiple performances at church, concerts for President's George W. Bush and George H.W Bush, and the Bob Hope Golf Tournament of Stars Concert, The Republican convention, television performances of the annual "Christmas Pageant" directed by Gerald Ray.
- Baylor Acapella choir member for 4 years
- Sang with BSU Band and performed in area churches
- Performed with Thee Power and Light (TP and L), a small auditioned group of Contemporary Christian singers that performed mainly at First Baptist Waco and other churches under the direction of Jim Broadus from Word Records.
Affiliations
- Texas Music Educators Association Member
- Gulf Coast Orff Association
- National Association for Music Education
Timeline
Music Instructor
Katy ISD
08.2021 - 08.2023
Music Instructor
J.L. Lyon Elementary School in Magnolia ISD
08.2016 - 07.2021
Music Instructor
Postma Elementary School in Cy-Fair ISD
08.2005 - 08.2016
Music Instructor
Holbrook Elementary School in Cy-Fair ISD
07.2003 - 08.2005
Music Instructor
West Memorial Elementary in Katy ISD
07.2001 - 08.2003
Private Piano Teacher
Self Employed
07.1999 - 08.2001
Music Instructor
Lowery Elementary in Cy-Fair ISD
07.1988 - 07.1999
Music Instructor
Post Elementary in Cy-Fair ISD
07.1986 - 08.1988
Teacher Certification - Self-Contained 1st-8th Texas
Teacher Certification - Music 1st-8th Texas
Bachelor of Science - Elementary Education/Music
Baylor University
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