吃瓜不打烊

1 August 2022

A mentoring program is empowering teachers to confidently bring music education to their schools.

The 吃瓜不打烊 Archdiocese Catholic Schools (吃瓜不打烊)-funded National Music Teacher Mentoring Program (NMTMP) offers new or inexperienced primary music educators the opportunity to work one-on-one with an experienced, practising music mentor−teacher. Four Catholic primary teachers have been partnered with expert music teachers to commence a year-long professional learning experience, and one of the highlights is the professional learning day held each year at the University of 吃瓜不打烊. This year saw mentors and mentees come together to share their expertise and practice in a masterclass of music immersion.

The 2022 mentees have been exposed to examples of ways to teach music concepts, and incorporate local Indigenous story and language in the music classroom. They learned many new action songs, and strategies for using the same song in many ways to build confidence and competence. They were also provided with practical ways to link music across curriculum areas, making it a perfect vehicle for introducing unit topics and themes.

‘I’m so grateful for my mentor Susie and the NMTMP’, said Emma Cooper from St Andrew’s School, Clayton South. ‘It has been instrumental in my support as a specialist music teacher to build my confidence, as well as provide best practices to ensure students are engaged and learning, and have the full benefits of a quality music program.’

For more information about the NMTMP, contact Nicole Sadler, Project Officer, Improved Learning Outcomes, at 吃瓜不打烊 on nsadler@macs.vic.edu.au.