Event Details
Advocacy for Sustainability in Music Education –
By Cynthia Howard
Advocacy for Sustainability in Music Education means looking after the very people who provide quality musical educational experiences. Over recent decades there has been a gradual decline in the value people place on music education in Australia locally, nationally, and more broadly globally. A drive for quantitative measurable outcomes has seen pressures placed on music teachers and their ability to provide quality programs. Cynthia investigated the challenges music teachers faced, the effect on them personally, their students, and the overall sustainability of the profession. Cynthia interviewed nine Tasmanian primary specialist music teachers with participants reporting challenges in the way their role was valued by others, their colleagues, students, families, training institutions and registration bodies. Issues ranged from poor resourcing, inadequate working environments and curriculum support, inadequate training, limited career opportunities, leading to poor physical and psychological wellbeing. Despite the challenges, participants in this study, demonstrated a personal and professional level of resilience that, after having faced major turning points in their careers, had maintained their motivation. The intertwined nature of personal and professional identity, alongside a commitment to their students’ success, contributed to the sustainability of their professional roles.
Join this TASME presentation on Tuesday the 26th of November as Cynthia unpacks her findings. Join in the conversation and engage in further discussion about this topic during question time after the presentation.
Please note that starting time of 3.30pm AEDST
To join this event please email us and we will send you the link.