Juneteenth marks freedom long delayed, and the work that still isn’t finished.

We all have a role to play in making sure justice, equity, and truth aren’t just ideas, but everyday realities.

Today, and everyday, honor Black history, celebrate Black resilience, and commit to doing better, together.

I may be in higher ed now, but it’s only been a year since I left public ed—and I still remember that end-of-year exhaustion. It wasn’t just the kids. It was the meetings, the mandates, the shifting expectations, and the lack of support. Burnout isn’t personal. It’s systemic.

If this resonates with you, you’re not alone. Talk about it. Share it. Let’s normalize the struggle and lift each other up. You’re not an imposter—you’re an educator in progress. And that’s exactly where you’re supposed to be.

It showed up in my first year of teaching, and it still whispers now that I’m in higher ed. Some days it’s quiet. Some days it’s loud. But I’ve learned this: feeling unsure doesn’t mean you don’t belong. It means you care. Keep showing up—we need you here.

Even after 10+ years in music education, imposter syndrome still sneaks in. If you’re early in your career & doubting yourself, you’re not alone. You don’t have to be perfect to make an impact. You’re learning. You’re growing. That’s what real educators do.

Burnout in education is real. I love my students, but some days I run on empty. If you’re feeling it too, you’re not alone—and you’re not failing. Be gentle with yourself. You can’t pour from an empty cup.

The goal isn’t to create perfect students. It’s to create empowered humans who know how to ask good questions and aren’t afraid to try.

You can teach notes and rhythms all day, but if your students don’t feel like they belong, the music won’t matter. Culture comes first. Every rehearsal is a chance to build it—or break it.

Study History. 100%. Absolutely. Study History.

Rebuilding a music program isn’t about trophies—it’s about trust, belonging, and long-term impact. Awards are nice, but they’re not the goal. The real work happens quietly, day by day. If you’re in it, keep going. You’re not alone, and what you’re doing matters.

Education has changed—and hasn’t. Students still want to be seen and supported. But how they learn is shifting fast. Teaching isn’t just content anymore—it’s connection, context, and helping them think deeply in a noisy, AI-filled world. People first, always.

Music class teaches that progress happens over time. We don’t give up on students just because they struggle at first—we guide them until they succeed. What if all subjects prioritized growth over deadlines?

Music isn’t just something students do—it’s something they become. It shapes how they think, learn, and connect with the world. We owe them the opportunity to experience it.

Music is the one language every child speaks fluently. Taking it away isn’t just cutting a program—it’s silencing potential.

Music is one of the only subjects where students immediately see how their individual effort impacts the group. You can’t hide in an ensemble—everyone matters. That’s a lesson every student should experience.

Every child deserves the opportunity to make music—not just to hear its power, but to experience it firsthand and carry its lessons for a lifetime. Music isn’t just a subject; it’s a foundation for creativity, discipline, and connection.

Let’s call it what it is: Trump and congressional Republicans are trying to cut health care, food assistance, and education for working Americans to pay for tax cuts to their billionaire donors.

Yes! Encouraging kids to develop their own musical voice is so important. While mentors provide guidance, true growth happens when students explore, create, and make music their own. And honestly, I feel the same—I’m constantly learning from my students too!

Absolutely! Early exposure to a wide variety of music helps lay the foundation for strong musicianship. Kids are capable of incredible things in music, but they often just need the right encouragement and opportunities to unlock their potential.

Education should be about learning how to think, not just memorizing facts that students will Google the second they leave school.

No one expects a student to write an essay before they know the alphabet, so why do we expect kids to ‘get’ music without proper scaffolding and support? Strong music programs build musicians from the ground up—just like any good curriculum should.

Musk’s status as a “special government employee” limits him to 130 days in the executive branch. However, despite working daily—documented by his own X posts—they claim he only works one day a week, effectively stretching his limit to 130 weeks. This needs to be brought to Congress—please share.

In music, you don’t ‘fail’ a piece and never play it again—you keep working on it until you get it right. Imagine if all subjects worked that way, prioritizing growth and mastery over speed and compliance.

Music teaches real-time problem-solving. Play a wrong note? Fix it. Tempo off? Adjust. Balance issue? Listen and respond. These are the same skills employers say they want—so why aren’t we fighting harder to keep music in schools?

A student who struggles with math gets tutoring, extra help, and second chances. A student who struggles with music often gets told, ‘Maybe this isn’t for you.’ It’s time to change that mindset—music is for everyone.

Musicians develop their skills through daily practice, thoughtful guidance, and a willingness to learn from mistakes. Every missed note, every difficult passage, and every rehearsal is a step toward mastery—because true musicianship isn’t about perfection; it’s about the journey.
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No one expects you to run a marathon without training. So why do we expect instant success in music? Great musicians aren’t born—they’re taught, nurtured, and given the time to grow. Progress takes patience, persistence, and the right support system.

Music class isn’t just about music—it’s about giving students a place to belong. Not every kid is an athlete, a straight-A student, or a social butterfly, but in music, they find their people. And that alone is reason enough to fight for it.

Music class is one of the few places where it’s okay to make mistakes out loud. We don’t punish wrong notes—we fix them. Imagine if all learning worked that way.