Our Spring 2014 Spotlight Recipient: Becky Burdett

Becky has been teaching in the Lake-Lehman School District for 9 of her 14 years as a teacher.  She currently directs the chorus program for grades 7-12 and teaches guitar classes.  She mentors new teachers in her school.  Becky has served as the K-6 general music teacher and elementary chorus teacher.  Becky holds Teaching Certificates in both the Kodály  and Orff Schulwerk approaches.

Why Elemental Music Education?
The elemental approach to music and movement education benefits me as a teacher because I have learned to analyze music and divide it into small pieces and elements.  Good analysis leads to good process, and good process leads to good, sequential and musical learning.

What others are saying about Becky:
“To watch Becky in the classroom is to watch poetry in motion! She handles multiple tasks with ease, has a lovely rapport with her students and she exposes them to an aesthetic that is often compromised in other elementary music classrooms. Her lessons focus on sequential skill building in five different arenas: sight singing (Kodaly influenced), recorder playing, mallet instruments, movement and dance, and improvisation.”
–       Nancy Sanderson, Director, The Performing Arts Institute

“Mrs. Burdett has been the cornerstone to our music programs and our school in general. She is enthusiastic, dedicated and energetic, and shares these qualities daily with students and staff alike. If a task needs to be accomplished, or a volunteer is needed, Mrs. Burdett has her hand up. She has an infectious personality that has contributed to both her own success and the many successes of her students.”
–       Nancy Edkins, Principal, Lake-Noxen Elementary School

“I had the wonderful opportunity to student teach under Mrs. Burdett’s guidance.  By the time my placement was over, I was completely transformed.  Her methods are clear, succinct, and effective, but with plenty of the open-ended flexibility that young children need.  Becky made it look easy (until I had to get in front of the students myself!) “
–       Justin Root, Band Graduate Teaching Assistant,Texas A&M University