by Melissa Stouffer | Aug 3, 2026 | All, Back to School
Once August comes, we know what’s looming. Some of our Southern friends are already back, but if you are in the North like me, you know that it starts to feel real (even though school supplies have been in stores before some of us were even OUT for the summer)! This...
by Melissa Stouffer | Jul 28, 2026 | All, Curriculum/Planning
Lesson planning can be tough, and learning to write them takes time, getting to know your students, and getting a feel for how long things take. Let’s take a look at some of the ways we can make lesson planning a little easier! 1. Pacing is important! I actually...
by Melissa Stouffer | Jul 21, 2026 | AAPI, All, Literature, Music Games, Music History
I love seeing books that are about lesser known musical instruments, and I love seeing books about lesser represented cultures! When I saw a book about a CHamoru girl (Mariana islands), playing an instrument from her culture, I had to snag it right away. This is is...
by Melissa Stouffer | Jul 14, 2026 | All, Curriculum/Planning
Curriculum Maps are GOLD, but only if you know what to do with them. Otherwise they are just a document with info you don’t know how to use. Or even worse, you don’t even know where to start with one. Chances are, when you student taught, you didn’t...
by Melissa Stouffer | Jul 7, 2026 | All, Organization, The Sustainable Music Teacher
So recently I saw a post in a facebook group about someone who was asking for advice about their secretary. The band department had their own secretary. Cue the cartoon jaw drop because really. I really read that. I can’t make this up because I NEVER would have...
by Melissa Stouffer | Jun 23, 2026 | All, Music Teacher Life, Tech
Come at me. Here are 3 hot takes that teachers need to hear. It’s easy to forget if you are online a lot. 1. Students aren’t internet klout I’ll up and down this one over and over again. We should not be using them for videos, even if they are...
