Interview with Laura Stanley, January 19, 2013

Partial Transcript: When and why did you become a music teacher?

Segment Synopsis: Dr. Stanley talks about growing up having both her mother and father working as band directors. She tells a story about the anxiety leading up to her first day that caused her to mistake nighttime for daytime. She talks about the difference between focusing on one’s own performance as a student and focusing on empowering her class as a teacher. She talks about the importance of having a good work-life balance. She talks about the positive experience of her teacher training at UGA.

Keywords: B.Mus.; Bachelor of Music - Music Education; Brookwood High School; Fannin County, Georgia; GMEA; Georgia Music Educators Association; M.M.; Master of Music - Conducting; Midwest Clinic International Band and Orchestra Conference; Snellville, Georgia; The Redcoat Band; UGA; University of Georgia; University of Georgia Redcoat Marching Band; band directors; clarinet; concert band; conferences; drum majors; general music; lesson plans; middle school; piano; pre-planning; rural schools; wind conducting; work-life balance

Partial Transcript: Why have you stayed in teaching?

Segment Synopsis: Dr. Stanley describes the many reasons she has stayed with teaching. She talks about lack of time management and proper work-life balance that causes some teachers to leave. She talks about feeling proud to see several former students playing for the Hodgson Wind Ensemble at UGA. She talks about the challenges of being both a teacher and a parent as well as maintaining energy in the classroom.

Keywords: GMEA; Georgia Music Educators Association; Gwinnett County Public Schools; Gwinnett County, Georgia; Hodgson Wind Ensemble; LGPE; Large Group Performance Evaluation; Superior ratings; UGA; University of Georgia; administration; band directors; benefits; church music; concert; high school; retirement; soloists; time management; work-life balance

Partial Transcript: Tell me about a time when music teaching made you feel hopeful.

Segment Synopsis: Dr. Stanley talks about the special needs students in her class who exemplify the many ways music can help people flourish. She tells a story about embracing the commotion among her students caused by a slip of the tongue. She talks about keeping a high energy and quick pace in the classroom.

Keywords: Brookwood High School Special Education Department; administration; marching band; music education; special needs

Partial Transcript: Tell me about the best teacher you’ve ever had, music or otherwise, and what made this person a fine teacher?

Segment Synopsis: Dr. Stanley describes the unique experience of having her father as band director in high school. She talks about motivating students by assigning lessons slightly above their current ability and emphasizing leadership training. She talks about developing professionally by continuing her education and networking.

Keywords: All-State; B.Mus.; Bachelor of Music - Music Education; Boston University; D.M.A.; Doctor of Musical Arts - Music Education; GMEA; Georgia Music Educators Association; M.M.; Master of Music - Conducting; UGA; University of Georgia; auditions; conducting workshops; conferences; doctorate; high school; leadership training; marching bands; networking; rehearsals; research; wind conducting

Partial Transcript: Tell me about a time when you mentored someone.

Segment Synopsis: Dr. Stanley talks about seeing a student teacher she mentored gain confidence in himself and flourish as a band director. She talks about helping another student teacher by encouraging her to organize and communicate better. She talks about a humble, kind student who taught her the value of being content with what one already has and enjoys.

Keywords: All-State; GMEA; Georgia Music Educators Association; Phi Beta Mu International Bandmasters Fraternity; Summer Marching Band Camp; UGA; University of Georgia; administration; auditions; band directors; co-teaching; concert band; cooperating teachers; drum major camp; drum majors; high school; lesson plans; middle school; student teaching