Name 
Anne Bame
School & School System Where You Work
Sherwood Elementary School, Gaston County Schools
Number of Years Teaching
21
Teaching Area(s)
Chorus, Elementary
Grade Level
Elementary
What do you love most about teaching music?
Performance Day!!!
Who inspired you to be a music educator and how did they inspire you?
I was inspired by my high school choral teacher, Sheila Fetner, who helped me learn to love choral music by exposing me to quality music and encouraging me to be a confident choral singer.
What did you need the most when you started teaching?
When I started teaching, the thing I needed most was a mentor to guide my first years and help me through those things that college doesn’t teach.
Describe the biggest challenge to teaching music education and how you have worked to overcome this challenge?
The biggest challenge has been a lack of resources. I have overcome this challenge by finding free resources and finding support from grants and donors. Donorschoose.org has been especially helpful in building my programs!
How do you advocate for your program?
I advocate for my program by gaining opportunities for positive exposure and seeking support from generous benefactors.
What is one piece of advice you would give to beginning teachers?
I advise new teachers to protect their personal boundaries!
How do you build relationships with students and parents?
I build relationships with parents by keeping communication lines open and by trying to expose students to many different ways to enjoy music so that they can all find something about music that they love.