Name 
Wendy Hardin
School & School System Where You Work
Ray Childers Elementary, Burke County Schools
Number of Years Teaching
27
Teaching Area(s)
Elementary
Grade Level
Elementary
What do you love most about teaching music?
The thing I love the most about teaching music is the ability to share my passion with students and in a small way, inspire them to appreciate and enjoy music for their lifetime.
Who inspired you to be a music educator and how did they inspire you?
There were many music educators who inspired me to teach music, like my chorus teachers and middle school band director, but my greatest inspiration was my daddy. He was always my biggest supporter and reminded me until he passed that I was the pro! He recognized my gift of working with children and encouraged my to share my love of music with students.
What did you need the most when you started teaching?
My first year of teaching was in middle school – that year I just needed to survive middle school attitudes! However, my true passion was with younger students so beginning the second year of teaching I have been in elementary music. 27 years ago I only had a few LP records and an ancient music book that was falling apart and a rather vague standard course of study. I can remember thinking, I don’t know what to teach first, and then what comes next, and then multiply that by six because I had Kindergarten through 5th grade!
Describe the biggest challenge to teaching music education and how you have worked to overcome this challenge?
The biggest challenge to all music educators is seeing the arts as a core academic subjects by colleagues, administrator, and policy makers and then obtaining necessary funding to make these programs the best they can be. I have learned to advocate for my music program by building strong relationships with students, colleagues, parents, administrators, school board members, and community members. The most effective way I have found to do that is by creating an inviting environment, and then demonstrating our needs through performance opportunities and authentic conversation’s.
How do you advocate for your program?
In addition to the above stated answer, being a part of NCMEA and keeping up to date on current events related to music education allows me to advocate through attending in-service conferences, PLC’s, emails to leadership in different areas and connecting with colleagues across the state. I am also on the Arts Ed listserve which provides timely updates and issues that could affect my program. Another way I advocate for my program is by looking for and volunteering for opportunities for students to perform outside of school, like community music groups, school board meetings, and honors chorus clinics.
What is one piece of advice you would give to beginning teachers?
Love the students – all of them. If that happens, then you will be willing to get to know each one, reflect on your daily instruction to continue to make it better every day, collaborate with colleagues, and be committed to creating an inclusive learning environment.
How do you build relationships with students and parents?
Communicate – with students on their level; be visible in the school – on car duty, in the cafeteria at extra curricular activities; speak to students outside of your classroom; don’t be afraid to go the extra step in any circumstance. With parents – use your schools communication platforms, like class DOJO or email; purposely make positive connections early in the year; find each students strength and tell their parents; invite parents to volunteer for events.