What inspired you to get into the field of education?: 

Choosing to become a music teacher was effortless for me.  In high school, I knew I loved music and working with kids.  It seemed like it would be the best job in the world, and it truly is! 

What’s the most rewarding part of your job?: 

I feel so lucky to teach K-12 music. I get to see the kids develop as musicians from a very young age and watch them grow up to become amazing, music-loving, adults.

General background information (years in education, degree(s), Universities/Colleges attended): 

Here at Polaris, I get the best job, teaching K-12 Modern Band and Theatre!  I have been teaching music since 2002 and have a variety of teaching experiences that shaped my philosophy of music education, teaching experiences such as an over-crowded city middle school, a rural elementary school with only 30 students, a self-contained music class for elementary students with moderate to severe needs, a notable, affluent suburban high school, and a culturally diverse classroom while teaching abroad in Berlin, Germany. This has all led to my strong belief that “kids are kids and all of them deserve the best and most joyful music education possible”.  
I received my undergraduate degree in Vocal Music Education at North Central College in Naperville, Illinois and my Master’s Degree in Music Education with a Kodály Emphasis at Silver Lake College where I studied with the great Sister Lorna Zemke and Dr. John Feierabend. I earned my Kodály Certificate and trained in Feierabend’s First Steps in Music and Conversational Solfege, and also trained in Modern Band by Little Kids Rock. Currently, I am developing curriculum for the full-inclusion Modern Band classroom, focusing on creativity, expression, collaboration, and including the role of sound engineer in music class.

Interests/Hobbies: 

I spend most of my free time with my darling family.  My husband, Brian Faulkner, teaches Biology in PSD, and my daughter attends elementary here at Polaris and my son is a student at Rocky.  As a family, we love to travel, spend time at the hot springs, and hang out at home with our fluffy dog and two kitties.

Thought Provoking Quote: 

If you cannot teach me to fly, teach me to sing! -Sir James Barrie (author of Peter Pan)

My Classroom

Courses Taught: 

K-5 Music with a Modern Band Focus

6th-8th Modern Band and Music Technology

9th-12th Modern Band, Songwriting and Recording Studio

6th-8th Crew