In response to "The Vermont MIDI Project" by Steven Estrella
The Vermont MIDI Project, in my opinion, shows just how committed teachers are to their students. THe project began with Sandi MacLoad and her fellow teachers realizing that composition was a weakness in their curriculum and in their teacher. This realization led to research, development, and training to create a fantastic web-based composition project. Some teachers may have merely brought in a professional composer to teach their students about composition and left it at that, but these teachers took it upon themselves to better their own composition skills and technology skills in order to provide their students with a solid foundation in composing.
The Vermont MIDI Project is more than just a composition project. It is a tool to help children develop not only their musical talents and abilities, but to build confidence, pride and creativity. A teacher who provides the tools to help build these importance characteristics truly cares for her students. These are characteristics that go beyond the classroom and help students in multiple other areas of their lives. These are characteristics that go beyond the classroom and help students with the rest of their lives.
I couldn't agree more, Erin! An educator rarely just teaches their content area. I'm sure we can all recall those special teachers who cared enough to make a difference in our lives. Finding ways to pair students with a composer/mentor through the Vermont MIDI Project will go a long way for those students who are lucky enough to have the opportunity to participate in it.
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