General Information about Mrs. Miller
Sarah K.
Miller
Music Specialist
I received my bachelors and masters of music degrees from
Michigan State University with majors in choral music education and elementary
education. My major instrument was voice and my minor instrument was
piano. I hold Orff Schulwerk
Level II certification from Memphis State
University. I have also studied the Kodaly Concept of music education at
Central Michigan University and the University of Michigan. This is my
fifteenth
year teaching in the public schools. Last year I was certified by the
National Board for Professional Teaching Standards in Early and Middle Childhood
Music
I am married and the mother of two college students, Wayne and
Kathryn, who are both enjoying student life at USC in Columbia. My
husband Gery and I reside in Simpsonville, where we care for three dogs and a cat. They
all seem to enjoy music. When I am not teaching at school, you may find me
teaching piano at my home studio.
At Bryson on
Monday, and Wednesday - Friday 355-3600
At Greenbrier on Tuesday 355-5300
Email:
skmiller@Greenville.k12.sc.us
My ultimate goal as a music teacher is to bring to children the
joy I experience in making music. First, musical learning should be fun and
inspiring. I believe that every child has an innate musical talent and it is my
task as a teacher to help that child develop that talent. I believe that every
child should be provided with the tools to become an independent musician and
taught how to use those tools. I believe that children have different learning
styles and different types of intelligence, and that my job is to provide
learning experiences that encompass those multiple intelligences and styles.
While music literacy is the main goal of my teaching, there is a great deal of
ancillary learning which takes place in language acquisition and development,
reading, rhythmic motor skills and coordination, and social skills.
Each student is expected to treat others
with respect and to respect the property of others, including the instruments,
books and equipment used in music class. Each student is expected to be honest
and cooperative. Each student is expected to actively and fully participate in
learning to the best of his/her ability.
Classroom Expectations
Raising
Responsibility
The children are taught that there are four levels
of behavior:
-
Level A: Anarchy – characterized by noise, no rules,
out of control, unsafe
-
Level B: Bothering – characterized by child making his
own rules or breaking classroom rules, bossing or bothering others
-
Level C: Cooperation – working together,
practicing, doing what the teacher asks.
-
Level D: Democracy – doing good because it is the
right thing to do, using self-discipline and self-control. The motivation for
level D is internal.
In my classroom, behavior at level A or B is
unacceptable. When a child’s behavior slips, he is asked first to identify the
level of behavior. In kindergarten and first grade the child is asked to draw a
picture of what he was doing and another picture of what he should be doing.
This gives the child time to reflect and consider how to behave
appropriately. In the upper grades, the child first completes a
questionnaire which guides him in reflecting on his behavior. At the second and
third offenses the child completes self-diagnostic referral forms. These
are retained in the child’s classroom folder. If there is a third offense, the self-diagnostic referrals are mailed to parents. Further offenses are referred to
the administration for counseling.
Kindergarten students are not graded. First
through fifth grades are graded E for exceeding expectations, “S” for satisfactorily meeting academic
expectations or “N” for needs improvement.
| 