Skip to main content

About Don Stinson

Don Stinson is the Band Director at Joliet Central High School in Illinois, founder of Legacy Fine Arts Inc. NFP, the co-author of “Harmonizing Ethics and Education” and the author of “High Needs, Monumental Successes: Teaching Music to Low-Income and Underserved Students.” He was recognized as a 2021 Yamaha “40 Under 40” music educator.

Concert Chairs to Marching Squares

Try these 8 tips to help students switch instruments.

Score Study Comes First!

Seven steps to help you make time to dive into score study.

Create an Emergency Bag for Work

Have these 15 items on hand to handle minor emergencies that you will inevitably run into.

Compartmentalizing Stress in Teaching

All music educators deal with stress. The key is how you handle it. Here are some tips to navigate everyday stressors.

The “No-Shortcuts” Approach

Putting in the work is time-consuming and labor-intensive, but it’ll give you a leg up as you progress in your career.

Healthy Tips for Educators

Try these five tips to keep your health in check — you’ll be taking better care of yourself and your students!

Master the Art of School Communication

In addition to the actual message, the method and frequency of communication with band families are critical. Try these tips on improving the dissemination of important information.

Teach With Flow: Protect the Time You Have

Try these practical techniques for minimizing distractions, automating routines and engaging students in a truly immersive musical experience.

Don’t Get Trapped by “The Checklist”

Rethink the conventional checklist that most music educators try to follow and explore alternative, enriching paths to success for both you and your students.

Co-Directors and Assistants: Step Out of the Shadows

If you are in a secondary role to a band director, arm yourself with practical tips and insights to maximize your impact in the classroom.

Reclaim Time

These small purchases, adjustments and mindsets will help save time and make your job easier.

Student Teaching 101: A Guide to Success

Step into your student teaching role fully prepared with this all-encompassing guide of practical tips and a handy checklist to help you thrive in the classroom and beyond.

5 Teacher Tools that Will Maximize Your Efficiency

Check out these ways to manage and streamline your workload.

How to Navigate Student Resilience

Help your students go from apprehension to applause with these tips on building their confidence through customization, collaboration and communication,

Refueling for the Educator’s Soul

When the going gets tough, rekindle your love for the profession with these 10 simple yet meaningful guidelines and ideas.

Today’s Tasks that Pay off in May

Elevate your music class from novice to virtuoso with these five practical, long-term strategies that maximize rehearsal time and transform student musicians.

15 Ways to Navigate Imposter Syndrome

From self-doubt to standing ovations, learn how to conquer the feeling of being a “musical fraud” and truly own your role as a music educator. You’re not just playing notes, you’re playing a pivotal role in your students’ lives.

20 Ways to Set the Tempo for a Great School Year

Remember these quick practical tips, foundational ideas, insights and philosophies to remind you why you chose teaching music as your career.

What To Do When You Don’t Know What to Do

Oftentimes, new band directors find that they don’t know what to do to improve the sound of their bands. Don’t throw in the towel. Lean on mentors and colleagues, do research and practice!

Caring Comes in Many Forms

With the recent and much-needed push to be kinder, teachers must balance caring with delivering feedback in a positive way.

Before You Quit

Are you thinking of throwing in the towel? Before you make any drastic changes, examine how you got here.

Financial Tips for Music Educators

When it comes to funding your program, never get discouraged because there is always money somewhere. You just have to work hard to find it.

Proactive, Reactive and Restorative Disciplinary Measures

Understanding why kids misbehave is complex and challenging. Here are some tips on the best ways to handle disciplinary matters.

Develop Atomic Habits for Your Program

A key to success is to have a consistent system of routines that you and your students follow.

How to Deal with Common Stressors

Being a music educator is a stressful job. Here are tips to deal with some common stress-inducing situations.

Mentoring in Action — From the Mentor’s Perspective

Veteran music educators can — and must — help guide and mentor new music teachers.

Stop Negative Self-Talk and Apply Strategic Arrogance

Don’t talk down about your abilities. Instead, hype yourself up to get through stressful situations — you’ll be surprised that you may actually perform better.

Your Teacher Identity

As your career progresses, you’ll go through several stages that might include imitation, experimentation, doubt and actualization.

Instrument Repairs, Hacks and Fixes

Try these common techniques, alternative approaches and money-saving tips to deal with instrument repairs.

Ask for Help and Improve Your Teaching

Expand your circle, seek specific feedback and implement advice from colleagues and mentors — with help, you can improve quicker than if you did this alone.

Changing Jobs, Part 4: Things No One Tells You About Switching Jobs

People change jobs for various reasons. Consider these things when pursuing or accepting a new job.

Changing Jobs, Part 3: Questions to Ask Potential Employers

You’ll be asked a battery of questions during an interview, but remember that it’s essential for you to ask questions, too.

Changing Jobs, Part 2: Interviewing Tips

Interviewing for a job is stressful. Try these tips taken from a music educator’s experiences as an interviewee and as an interviewer.

Changing Jobs, Part 1: Improve Your Resume

A good resume is the first step in landing a job interview. Try these tips to improve your chances of standing out in a pile.

Be a Better Teacher by Being Selfish

Improve your job satisfaction and performance by shifting some priorities and acting with your own best interests in mind.

It’s OK to Say “No”

Your time is valuable, so set some boundaries and don’t feel the need to say “yes” to everything.

Prioritization: Accentuate the Right Things

How do you prioritize the smart way? Set some boundaries, properly manage workload and determine what is essential.

5 Time Burglars to Avoid

As music teachers, our to-do list is long. Avoid these time burglars so you can get things done without jeopardizing classroom time.

Dig Deeper: How to Read Your School Accountability Report Card

Seek an understanding of your entire school and community by reviewing your school’s accountability report.

Case Study: Practice Not Required

An unorthodox philosophy of no practicing outside of school works at Joliet Central High School.