PERSONAL LEARNING NETWORK

Personal Learning Network

A PLN is *your* network of connections for new ideas, for support, and for sharing with other professionals in K-12 education.

Mentors 

These are college professors from Rutgers University (the college I attended) as well as Rowan University and the professional performing group The Dallas Brass. I am in constant contact with these individuals and also bring them in to work my students on a regular basis. I call on them for advice on concert literature and ideas. They call on me to help them with recruitment for their programs and to stay in tune with what students are looking for when choosing a college to attend. We also call on each other to help with music arrangements and suggestions. 

Professional Education Colleagues - 

These are teachers who have been teaching for many years or have retired from teaching. We call on each other to answer questions and collaborate on ideas throughout the school year. Each person has his or her expertise. For example, Tim Smith is currently the marching band director at Rutgers University. Larry Markiewicz has extensive training with drum corps and an extremely successful band program and marching band. I would call on them anytime I have a question about marching band. Tom Murphy is a percussionist and a former colleague who currently teaches in Randolph, NJ. If I have questions about percussion, I would contact Tom for advice. These individuals have expertise in various fields of music we call on each other often so that we can be the best teachers possible.

Professional Organizations and Associations

These are all organizations of which I am a member. They all have websites with current pertinent information. The Midwest is the biggest music educator’s convention in the country. It is held in Chicago each December. I plan on attending this year and every year possible. It is a wealth of knowledge and keeps me current in all areas of teaching. 

Additional Professional Resources

These are some of the most valuable resources I have. This section ranges from the music facility that I work with on a daily basis to the Band Directors Resource Facebook page where thousands of directors go to ask questions and communicate about band and band related topics. This also includes staff from American Music Abroad, who I travel with every summer and my community band, the South Jersey Area Wind Ensemble. This group is made up of professional musicians, band directors and retired band directors. We are  consistantly learning from each other.