Often, students with identified special needs miss out on music because they are "pulled out" to meet with specialists at that time. And Special Ed students who are sequestered in separate "diagnosis based" classes are often left out of music entirely. This is tragic because music can be the single most motivating, positive, valuable and transformational experience for special kids. This project will train and equip 20 special educators to provide daily music making in their classrooms & groups!
Special education teachers need specialized training in music leadership to introduce music making to students in very beneficial ways that help their students experience the benefits of singing, strumming and moving to music. They may face challenges such as hypersensitivity to sound, extreme emotionality or auditory processing disorders and much more. Giving them to training and tools to help their students succeed means creating access to music that is long overdue.
This project will give special education teachers the chance to work together, learn techniques of music leadership and music therapy, develop strong musical skills, and support each other to reach all of their students every week with guitar, ukulele, singing and movement for learning, health and social and emotional well-being. 20 teachers will reach 200-400 students!
This project will help teachers instill a life-long love of learning together & making music for a part of the K-8 community that is often forgotten when it comes to music. We believe based on research and our first explorations, we'll nurture happier, more engaged and successful students who learn to put a new "foot" forward, discovering their creativity and feeling joy in the learning process. Becoming music makers can help our special students shine socially, emotionally & academically, too.
