Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
El Sistema Music Training and Implementation
Generic
Suzanne Shaffer

Suzanne Shaffer

Wakarusa,Indiana

Summary

Dynamic Elementary Music Teacher with more than a decade of experience at Elkhart Community Schools, skilled in effective classroom management and vocal and instrumental training. Led a team of music educators, enhancing student engagement through innovative instruction. Committed to professional growth, co-presented at the IMEA Conference, fostering collaborative relationships within the community.

Overview

33
33
years of professional experience

Work History

Elementary Music Teacher

Elkhart Community Schools
08.1991 - 06.2024
  • Familiarized students in grades K-6 with basic concepts of music such as notes, tempo, symphony, beats, compositions, and chords.
  • Instructed students in grades K- 6 on singing techniques as well as instrumental.
  • Assisted in beginning level Orchestra with grades 3-5 the last 10 years of teaching.
  • Lead a team of Elementary Music Teachers in my building the last 10 years of teaching.
  • Organized musical equipment thoughtfully to develop classroom routines, managing materials efficiently with minimal lost activity time.
  • Taught Elementary students to identify different instruments from instrument's sound and shape.


  • Pursued continuous professional growth by attending conferences, workshops, and seminars related to music education trends and research findings.
  • Co-lead a presentation for a session at IMEA Conference in 2023.

Education

Bachelor of Arts - Music Education

Bowling Green State University
Bowling Green, OH
05-1991

Skills

  • Effective classroom management
  • Fostering collaborative relationships
  • Vocal training background
  • Clear and concise communication
  • Skilled in piano performance
  • Effective communication with program supporters

Timeline

Elementary Music Teacher

Elkhart Community Schools
08.1991 - 06.2024

Bachelor of Arts - Music Education

Bowling Green State University

El Sistema Music Training and Implementation

As one of 4 Music Instructors at the Elementary School I taught at, we successfully launched and built a unique Music philosophy called, :El Sistema.

This unique philosophy allowed us to work with people in the community to build support for our program.  It also allowed us to partner with other El Sistema inspired programs in our county allowing students from across the county in interact and perform together.  One of the pillars of this philosophy is instructing students to believe that once they are proficient at something (for example, playing  or learning to read new music notes) , they are obligated to teach someone else what they have learned.  This helped round out my teaching experience in ways I didn't expect. 

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