Danbury music teachers learn from Little Kids Rock
On Tuesday – when the Danbury schools were closed to students – some 50 music teachers gathered at Broadview Middle School to learn how to get students even more excited about music class. The day of instruction was part of a grant to bring Little Kids Rock (LKR) into the Danbury schools. A few teachers from other districts were also invited to participate.
Little Kids Rock is the nation’s leader in offering Modern Band professional development workshops to public school teachers. Over the past year, LKR has trained and equipped six Danbury schools music teachers with $24,000 worth of guitars, keyboards, drums and technology, and recently provided an additional $80,000 worth of instruments.
The professional development for music teachers was led by Scott Burstein, LKR director of teaching and learning. It was the second of two sessions held this fall. The teachers – most with guitars in hand in the early morning – were instructed on the Little Kids Rock methodology that employs a “modern band” approach that incorporates drums, guitar and keyboard.
“It’s learning like the kids would learn. This is about reaching kids with music that’s not ultra-formal. It’s easy access for kids to learn music,” said Warren Gramm of LKR. LKR is a nonprofit organization; the professional development instruction was funded through SpreadMusicNow and LEGO.
“The Little Kids Rock training has given our teachers the chance to spread harmony and has ignited our passion for doing what we most believe in – music and arts education,” said Jill Russell-Benner, Danbury Public Schools K-5 music program facilitator. “The emphasis on music as a second language creates the opportunity for our students to communicate through the arts. Our students will feel successful because this program meets all their needs. Music unites people, and we have been given the gift to impact all of the students in the Danbury Public Schools.”