Elizabeth Moore: "The Nature of the Beast"

There is so very much to being a good teacher. There is of course the bit about relaying and explaining information, but true and meaningful teaching goes beyond this. It requires enthusiasm, patience, and the ability to explain an idea in varying ways. The ability to be spontaneous and respond to the needs and interests of the students at hand while at the same time remaining true to the larger goals. A good teacher must listen as well as speak, and if a teacher expects their students to flourish they must inspire them to learn. I have had teachers in all range of subject matters who consciously, and even sometimes unaware, educate at this high level. What is different for Lincoln Center Institute Teaching Artists is that this is consciously part of their teaching philosophy and job description. They are in the classroom consciously provoking imaginative thought and creativity. With steadily changing school environments, students, classroom teachers and works of art, LCI TAs must always be able to adapt their approach to the situation at hand. It is the very nature of the beast.

What has become increasingly clear to me over the course of the Fellowship is that I will always teach in some capacity. Even if I never become a Teaching Artist, I intend to use every skill I am learning in observing and working with Lisa and the the other TAs. Having the ability to adapt my examples, repertoire of teaching material, and energy level are all skills that will benefit one-on-one teaching. Encouraging students to make connections between their studies and the rest of their life experience, to learn through their curiosity and to ask questions are healthy practices in any setting. Is it also the nature of the beast that I have fallen for teaching in these last months? As music students we are told that we will most likely need to teach as well as play to make a living as a musician. I admit that before I was simply resigned to a future in teaching. I have grown to realize that being a teacher is a part of myself I am excited to develop and exercise.