ACEMM Book Study Group
By Kate Bright, Liban Gomez, and Jeaneau Julian
As music teachers, we are often an island to ourselves. Local AOSA chapter workshops are great ways to connect, and state and national conferences are good opportunities to bond with our colleagues and share ideas. But conferences only happen a few times a year and we may not be able to attend due to the difficulty of finding subs or the cost of attendance. Wouldn’t it be nice to have collegial conversations with our peers more often, maybe even weekly? Never fear, ACEMM’s book study is here!
This book study began in August of 2020 as the pandemic brought us into the 2020-2021 school year with lots of uncertainty. Kate Bright was sent a screenshot of a page from The Playful Classroom by Julie Jones and Jed Dearybury. Knowing that fellow Orff Schulwerk teachers would be interested in learning about different play styles, Kate rallied her Facebook family and organized the first book study Zoom meeting on Thursday, August 20, 2020.
Since then, Kate Bright, Liban Gomez, and Jeaneau Julian have led more than 100 weekly discussions. The Thursday evening sessions are generally organized around one chapter, with time for participants to go to breakout rooms and have in-depth discussions posed by one of the moderators. The sessions last for about an hour with time to connect built in before and after the session. Since that first discussion of The Playful Classroom, ACEMM’s Book Study has explored:
Gunild Keetman, Elementaria
Zaretta Hammond, Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain
Paul Cribari & Rick Layton, The Elemental Style
Anne Green Gilbert, Creative Dance for All Ages
Bettina Love, We Want to do More Than Survive
Jane Frazee, Artful, Playful, Mindful
Wolfgang Hartman, Looking at the Roots of Orff Schulwerk
Isabel McNeill Carley, Taking the Orff Approach to Heart
Participants read and share insights of each text, and also have the opportunity to see how it impacts their colleagues' classrooms. The group re-read Cribari & Layton’s The Elemental Style and using Google classroom as a way to better save compositions and creative ideas. If someone missed a Zoom meeting, the assignments and a Zoom transcript remain available to help them see what was discussed and continue to participate in the study.
When asking book club members how this book study impacted their lives, the answers were immensely insightful.
Christine Ruggles, Illinois: “Book study has helped me to not only become a better composer, but also a more open-minded teacher that accepts ‘the mess.’ Through book study I have found friendships in its participants that have gotten me through some extremely difficult times. I have found another family through book club.”
Julia Malafarina, Maryland: “Playful Classroom inspired my first full length workshop and the Elemental Style inspired me to get back to composing for my students. But most of all I love my new wonderful, thoughtful, supportive friends who push each other to be their best selves.”
Sarah Farell, New Mexico: “I have gained an amazing group of peers with whom I can meet regularly, and get help and suggestions when I need it. The books we’ve read together have helped me hone my practice and become more reflective.”
Dr. Kim Swift, Missouri: “This book study is better than therapy. I get support from those that understand the music education world and also come away with ideas and excellent practices to utilize with kids.”
Deborah Cluff, Nevada: “ I have really enjoyed the fun and fellowship with our book study group. It's a really powerful resource and support and I'm thankful for the work of those leading it.”
Aimee Pfitzner, North Carolina: “Personally, I have made connections with others in a way I wouldn’t have ordinarily. Professionally, It has helped me to stay accountable while reading and thinking about a book. Reading with others and engaging with a small group has helped me to gain new perspectives I wouldn’t have had without the small group format. The discussions were rich, engaging and helped me gain clarity and new ideas.”
Jenny Hewitt, Ohio: “This book study has literally saved me so many times. While the study of each book has been very helpful and educational, the camaraderie has been even more of a blessing. I have met wonderful people from around the world, literally! The friendships have led to an amazing sharing of ideas and support in a variety of ways. I can reach out to anyone of the people and ask a question and have had the opportunity to share with others as well. Each book study has supported my teaching and helped me to grow as a teacher and musician. I’m truly grateful for this book study and always look forward to it. I’ve finally found my people!! My husband has been so happy that I’ve found this group too. He’s mentioned several times how after a Thursday night meeting I have a spark of passion again and loves how I have such an amazing support group!”
Martha Crowell, Pennsylvania: “ I can only attend sporadically, but I love knowing it happens!”
April Mullen, Pennsylvania: “Getting to know so many passionate music educators that are also just awesome human beings has made me an all around better person. Reading and discussing books surrounding our profession has helped me grow as a teacher.”
Lindsay Rosen, Canada: “Book study helped me grow my professional learning network and expand it beyond where I live to meet amazing music educators from all over the world. It’s always amazing to learn from other educators and compare notes on different lesson ideas and tools as well.”
Macarmen Andrade, Ecuador: “This amazing group of music educators has helped me in so many ways. I feel part of a supporting music community. This has been an incredible opportunity to expand my knowledge and to grow not only as a professional but as a human being. Knowing that every Thursday there is this group of friends ready to help each other is priceless. Thank you all for opening this space for teachers from all around the world. As Kim says, this book study is better than therapy.”
Liban O. Gómez, New York City: “ACEMM Book club is always lit and popping! It serves me as a place to grow socially, emotionally, professionally, and musically. Being surrounded with liked-minded music educators from across the USA and other different parts of the world where participants come together in this safe and sacred space to exchange knowledge: resources, share and discuss their ideas, their stories, and offer support. Realizing that even though we are teaching in different countries/continents, we experienced similar challenges: availability of teaching resources in different languages, technology, etc. Receiving instant feedback and realizing that music educators are not alone on the teaching field is one of the fastest ways to grow.”
Berna Özdener Uysal, the Republic of Türkiye:
“Dear Book Club instructors,
The pandemic period has been a very tiring process for all of us. Fear, anxiety, staying away from our loved ones, staying away from face-to-face environments in our business life… This period has changed the way we view education. I think it helped us develop a flexible perspective on challenges.
I met Book Club (Kate Bright, Jeaneau and Liban) thanks to their work on social media during this period. Since I do not speak English, I could not understand what was said in the studies. This has been challenging for me… Just trying to make sense of gestures was difficult for me to follow. But Book Club took a good approach to eliminate this difficulty. I tried to understand you by choosing the words I know from the ones you spoke. The books you chose were very thoughtful and entertaining. While transferring the books to us, you were very polite, inclusive and showed your command of the subject. You were very meticulous in your approach during the meeting and welcoming everyone who attended by saying hello.
It was very important to me that you have continuity in your work, careful preparation, and that you open your doors to everyone free of charge. I've been eagerly awaiting your next work. If you hadn't done this kind of work, I wouldn't have known you. You hosted me at a time when it was not possible for me to come to the USA. You showed examples of how trainers work in distant lands. With the good effect of these studies, I started to include books in my works and to evaluate the sound and movement elements in the book more. It is important to approach people in Orff-Schulwerk Elementary Music Movement Education. Creative ideas are important for each person to develop their own experience. You have demonstrated this approach very well with your work. I am very happy to have known you. Even though I don't understand their language in faraway lands, there are people whose eyes I can see the beauty in them. This is very promising. I wish to be with you in other works. I wish you studies full of Music-Movement-Books.”
María Vanesa Utz, Paraguay: “The study spaces offered by ACEMM share innovative solutions to daily educational musical practice and build lasting relationships between teachers from different parts of the world to continue learning from each other. Virtual spaces have allowed people from other countries to participate and continue learning, finding a common language based on the principles of Orff Schulwerk, knowledge with humility, curiosity about possibilities, compassion, tolerance and respect, the hallmarks of successful experiences in music and movement anywhere in the world that transcend border and language barriers. Reflecting on teaching models and different ways of sharing knowledge opens the mind to infinite new possibilities, helping music teachers to change the lives of many students who are the multiplying agents to build a true community reinforcing a "common quality of those who live together through collaborative art.”
Edmilson Francisco da Silva, Brazil: "With the advancement of technology, it was possible for the classes offered by Kate, Jeaneau, and Liban (AOSA Orff) to arrive here in the hinterland of Pernambuco, in the city of Petrolina. Wonderful classes that contribute to the psychomotor development of students and take us to another level as teachers."
Jeaneau Julian, Kate Bright, and Liban Gómez, ACEMM Directors, and Book Club Leadership
If you are interested in learning more about this book study or to sign up, check out https://www.acemm.org/book-study. Register for the upcoming Book Club Meetings!