In episode 82, Kathryn and Theresa sit down with Matthew Stensrud, an accomplished music educator specializing in elementary music, responsive classroom techniques, and Orff Schulwerk approaches. Matthew shares his journey into music education, including his inspiration from mentors and his passion for creating inclusive and empowering music classrooms. He emphasizes the importance of fostering a sense of belonging and community where students feel safe to take creative risks.

Matthew discusses actionable strategies for passing the baton to students, including movement activities, personalized compositions, and creating opportunities for student choice and voice. Highlights include empowering students through movement exercises like snowflake-inspired choreography and fourth-grade rap projects tied to identity and intersectionality. This episode is packed with practical ideas and insights to inspire music educators to cultivate creativity, collaboration, and a sense of ownership in their classrooms. Tune in to learn how small shifts in teaching practices can create transformative learning experiences for students.

• Website: www.mistersorff.com
  
• Patreon: www.patreon.com/mistersorff
• Instagram: @mistersorff
• Book: Responsive Classroom for Music, Art, PE, and Other Special Areas
  
• Book Recommendation: Intersection Allies: We Make Room for All
  

Learn more about Pass the Baton:

• Pass the Baton website:⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.passthebatonbook.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠

• Join the Coffee Club: https://buymeacoffee.com/passthebaton/membership

• Support Pass the Baton: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/passthebaton

• Amplify student voice with Exit Tickets for Self Reflection! Get it for free now: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/f8l7g9

In episode 81, Kathryn and Theresa reflect on the power of professional collaboration for music educators. Drawing from their own experiences, they discuss how connecting with fellow educators—whether across the country or in the same district—can transform teaching practices, reduce isolation, and foster creativity. They share anecdotes of innovative classroom projects, such as their cross-state recorder pen pals and collaborative feedback sessions using Flipgrid, which helped students develop skills in constructive critique and purposeful music-making. These experiences underscore how collaboration not only enhances teaching but also models lifelong learning and teamwork for students.

Kathryn and Theresa also highlight the importance of finding support networks to combat the isolation many music teachers face. They suggest starting with conferences, social media, or even colleagues outside of music education to brainstorm ideas or share lessons. For those looking for a structured way to connect, they recommend the Pass the Baton Coffee Club, which provides opportunities for group planning and idea-sharing. Take the leap into collaboration, whether by exchanging lessons or teaming up for larger projects, and share your experiences to inspire others in the music education community.

Learn more about Pass the Baton:

• Pass the Baton website:⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.passthebatonbook.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠

• Join the Coffee Club: https://buymeacoffee.com/passthebaton/membership

• Support Pass the Baton: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/passthebaton

• Amplify student voice with Exit Tickets for Self Reflection! Get it for free now: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/f8l7g9

• Episode 56 - Straight Talk on Student Centered Music Classes, with Tom Chester and Justin Johnson
• Episode 41 - Empower Students to Practice with Purpose, with Katie LaBrie and Tracy Magwire
• Episode 75 - From Student to Artist: The TAB Approach in General Music, with Emily Meyerson
• Episode 33 - Fostering Independent Musicians, with Amy Rever Oberle and Lauren Staniszewski

In episode 80, we dive into the transformative world of creative music education with Steve Giddings, an innovative music educator and advocate for hands-on, student-driven learning. Steve shares his journey from traditional conservatory training to championing a more dynamic and accessible approach to teaching music. Through his experiences, Steve has developed techniques that encourage students to explore music through improvisation, creativity, and collaboration. Whether teaching rock bands, flipping Bloom's Taxonomy, or introducing new rhythms, Steve emphasizes making music education more about creating and less about replicating.

Join us as we explore Steve's innovative classroom practices, from "moshing" warm-ups to using tools like Groove Pizza and GarageBand to compose original works. Steve also discusses the critical role of fostering a safe space for students to make mistakes, take risks, and discover their unique musical voices. This episode is packed with practical advice for educators looking to bring creativity into their classrooms and inspire students to see themselves as lifelong musicians. Don’t miss this engaging conversation with one of music education’s leading voices!

• Website: https://www.stevesmusicroom.com
• Rock Coach: https://amzn.to/4i9Ph2i
• Creative Musicking: https://amzn.to/3Zk7mCm
• Technology for Unleashing Creativity: https://amzn.to/3B8oNgV
• Mikey’s Place: https://amzn.to/3ZbwI56

Learn more about Pass the Baton:

• Pass the Baton website:⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.passthebatonbook.com/
• Join the Coffee Club: https://buymeacoffee.com/passthebaton/membership
• Support Pass the Baton: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/passthebaton
• Amplify student voice with Exit Tickets for Self Reflection! Get it for free now: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/f8l7g9