What makes you #morethanamusicteacher? In this blog series inspired by Franklin Willis’ Book, More Than A Music Teacher, we invited teachers around the world to share their stories. Today, we’ll hear from Elizabeth Shier and Crystal Briley. Read on as we celebrate the incredible changemakers in our profession of music education.

Meet Elizabeth Shier, #morethanamusicteacher

Elizabeth Shier

Tell us your story. How did you become a music teacher?

I grew up with a special-needs brother and wanted to be a music therapist and double majored in music therapy/music education, but in the 1980’s it was a hard job to find, so I started teaching elementary music. I started teaching elementary music with literally zero experience in the elementary music classroom (I was a band major and had an all-level certification). Well, 37 years later, I am still teaching elementary music!

Tell us about teachers that influenced you. What was so impactful about their teaching?

My high school band director, Stuart Verdon made our band from small-town Arkansas feel like we were the state champions… and we were! My college band director, the late Wendell Evanson, believed in me when I didn’t even believe in myself. He chose a small town girl to be the color guard captain and drum major of the marching band, and let me help run our summer Band Camps, too.

What does your teaching life look like now? What do you teach? Where do you teach?

I teach PreK-5th grade music in a Title 1 school in the Dallas-Ft Worth area, in a suburban school district called Birdville Independent School district.

What do you love to do outside of teaching? What passions/hobbies/interests do you have?

I coach a running team at my school called Girls on the Run (www.girlsontherun.org), which I have done for the past 12 1/2 years. I used to run marathons and half marathons before age-related arthritis stopped me, but I still love coaching. I love to work out, I love to read the Bible and listen to worship music, I love to style clothes, I love to bake. I have 4 grown married children, so I say I have 8 children now (no grandchildren yet!), and we love to get together as often as possible, which is not very often since several of them live out of town. My husband and I love to travel when we can, and we love to watch most Star Wars series, plus Blue Bloods on Friday nights!

Why are you #morethanamusicteacher?

I coach our running team at our school, I mentor other music teachers, I help to write our curriculum, I help with scheduling, I am currently our specials team leader. I do morning breakfast duty, I do the the afternoon announcements at our school, I buy snacks and costumes for my students when they need them, I help recruit for middle school. I also organize our school’s annual food drive which is run by our Choir Officers. I also give children the confidence that I never had, to stand up and perform on the stage. I teach them strategies to calm themselves down, to express themselves using their words, to make good choices. I tell them that they are enough, that mistakes are our best teachers (everyone makes them), and that I love them.

 

Meet Crystal Briley #morethanamusicteacher

Tell us your story. How did you become a music teacher?

I think I was always destined to be a music teacher. However, I was first a musician that had an insatiable appetite for singing opera. So I began my career singing and traveling as many do. I spent lots of time preparing for auditions and shows. There were many no’s and a few yeses. It was fun but very tiring and nowhere near as fulfilling as my side gig teaching at a local university. Eventually, I came to find out the road life was not for me. I missed my family and wanted more structure in my daily routine. Additionally, I found it thrilling to see young singers experience the aha moments inside the private lesson studio. Through a series of life changes, I came to an elementary music teaching job and fell in love. The first time a Kinder student sang along with my puppets the giggles soon followed and I was hooked. I saw the utter joy that music can bring to a human being. It became more than the music content for me. Music had the power to change lives and I was privileged to give that gift to my students. It has truly become my calling to spend time nurturing my students and growing better humans through the art of music. I wouldn’t trade it for the world because really these students have changed me too!

Tell us about teachers that influenced you. What was so impactful about their teaching?

I would say my first music teachers were my parents. I was blessed with a very musical family heritage and I am so proud of their influence on my life as a human and musician. They instilled that “practice makes progress” idea early on and it has defined my musicality as an artist and in life. We are on a journey and we must persevere through the difficult times and the successful times. It has to be one of the most important things I teach my students now— no one is perfect but we learn how to do hard things through progressing in small steps each day.

What does your teaching life look like now? What do you teach? Where do you teach?

I am an Orff educator that teaches K-5 general music in Charlotte, NC. I teach at an arts magnet school whose focus is on arts integration. I write curriculum for our symphony education concerts and am the co-chair for our district Elementary Honors Chorus. I have done some small local workshops and am hoping to branch out to that more in the future. Teaching life is busy but I have also found joy in writing about teaching too.

What do you love to do outside of teaching? What passions/hobbies/interests do you have?

I am an avid crafter that enjoys creating through various projects. I have been known to binge read a book on the weekends. I enjoy spending time with my dogs at home and being social with my friends around Charlotte. I can also be found on the local pick your own farms during the summer weekends!

Why are you #morethanamusicteacher?

I am more than a music teacher because I know I was made to influence the lives of young students. With that comes the great responsibility of caring for the human heart. I am a listener of problems, healer of boo-boos, tier of shoes, monitor of appropriate jokes at the lunch tables, and a safe place to talk out what’s bothering you. Additionally, have been given a soprano voice to use and share with others— in and outside of school. I am loyal to my family as a daughter, sister, auntie, and dog momma. I have the specific skills to organize, inspire, and lead. I am a loyal friend to people who know to call me on the carpet when I need it. I am a lover of music, animals, and all things food. I am a hardworking, Type A, creative brain gal. I am a craft supplies and food spice hoarder. I am a passionate and loyal educator who cares about more than just music vocabulary. I am an educated TEACHER that actually teaches concepts while we “sing, say, dance, play.” I am your teammate and advocate and am willing to speak up. I am a believer in Christ.

I am called. I am blessed. I am loved.
I am #morethanamusicteacher
Want to share your story with the F-flat Books Community? Head to this link to fill out the form. And, you can grab a copy of Franklin Willis’ book, More Than A Music Teacher at this link.