What is the best tool that Keith Ziolkowski, Orchestra Teacher at Creekside Middle School in Carmel, Indiana, uses with his students? Being genuine. “All my students see me for who I am, which includes my knowledge, passion and excitement to teach them music. I don’t feel the need or desire to put on a show of something or someone that I am not or that our orchestras are not. I focus on genuine experience from day one,” he explains.
This includes having high expectations for his students and ensembles. “Together, we are allowed to fail, have struggles, but also succeed. There isn’t a moment in our classroom where we do not support one another through good and bad, no matter how challenging or how exciting those moments can be for students,” Ziolkowski says
At the middle school level, careful, but calculated student involvement is required. “The most important thing is to help build students up with proper foundation through technique, good, appropriate and challenging literature, and giving them chances to lead,” explains Ziolkowski. “My goal is to help mold and form students into consumers of music throughout their entire life.”
Ziolkowski also holds himself to high standards as well. Each quarter, he sets benchmarks for himself that align with the curriculum. “This has really helped to make sure that all my students are understanding, playing and having fun,” he says. “These benchmarks then stack each quarter and each year a student is in my program, and I refer to them often to make sure that I am not teaching or preparing music that is above acquired knowledge.”
Even though these benchmarks have dates and numbers with them, Ziolkowski has the flexibility to change the goals for the ensemble or individual student to make sure they are growing at a rate that is appropriate for them.
It’s vital for Ziolkowski to make orchestra interesting, achievable and fun because the arts are no longer required due to changes in the Indiana high school diploma requirements. “It’s crucial to offer a great program at the middle school that students seek out and recognize as an essential part of their education at the high school,” he explains.
He connects with other orchestra teachers and music educators through his roles in professional organizations, including the current president of the Indiana Music Education Association and past president of the Indiana Chapter of the American String Teacher Association. Ziolkowski also has a group text chain with other music teachers. “It’s important to have a community so that you are not on a teaching island,” he says. “I hold this group of educators and friends near and dear. We have been able to guide one another to appropriate literature for ensembles and to share sometimes very blunt thoughts and ideas when it comes to best practices for engaging students.”
