By Kristin Clark Taylor
“School’s …. Out … for … SUMMER!”
This unforgettable, end-of-the-school-year anthem song for “children” of all ages makes everybody smile just thinking about the lazy, hazy days before us.
If you’re a teacher (and if you’re reading this, you probably are), these four magical words might also stir up a desire to reflect back on this extraordinary school year and ask yourself some essential questions:
Was I present and available for my students during this challenging year?
Did I utilize the tools at my disposal to educate, comfort, and support my kids?
Which special songs and favorite lessons will my students carry with them as they slip into the sweet days of summer?
If you were fortunate enough to have had QuaverEd resources at your disposal this past year, then the answers to these questions will ring clear as a bell.
Jim Meske, a K-5 general music teacher and District 83 Music Coordinator at Westdale Elementary School in Northlake, Illinois, says he relied heavily on QuaverEd this past year and was able to expand his skills and create positive growth in his students.
Meske says the rich content of the curriculum and the technical sophistication (and simplicity) of QuaverEd resources made all the difference. He points to the recorder as the perfect example.
“We used the ‘Recorder Olympics’ as a warm-up [before] each class and we practiced note-reading while enjoying the backing tracks at various speeds,” Meske says appreciatively. “The animated recorder scores are what ensured student success.”
QuaverEd Creates a Collaborative Spirit
Meske says the presence of QuaverEd also heightened a healthy spirit of collaboration.
“One huge highlight of this year was the collaboration that occurred with the other elementary music teachers in our district,” he says with gratitude. “We were able to build a custom curriculum this year and share lessons with each other, thanks to Quaver.”
Meske paints the perfect portrait of QuaverEd as the creative bridge between teachers – in this case, teachers in different schools throughout the district. This unique ability to collaborate, he says, “saved us a lot of time as we were able to divide up grade levels and lessons…”
QuaverEd did help ensure that teachers were present for their students. The resource did push thousands of teachers beyond their traditional comfort levels towards growth, exploration, and discovery. QuaverEd did allow teachers to be fully present for their students.
So as you close out this year, let those four sweet words — “School’s … out … for … SUMMER!” bring you joy and more than a little pride.
You made it through the year.
You taught, inspired, and comforted your students.
And as you slip into these lazy, hazy days of summer, remember to take deep breaths. Relax. Pat yourself on the back. And take a few of these happy summer songs from QuaverEd with you!
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Kristin Clark Taylor is an author and a journalist.
