From Theory to Practice: Creating a Culturally Responsive Music Program
Live Webinar via Zoom
Wednesday, December 11th, 2024 at 7-8:30pm EST
K-12 music educators & instructional leaders
About the webinar
More and more K-12 music educators see the need to connect with their learners in order to create a supportive learning environment that supports rigorous music instruction that learners are excited to take part in as well as develops solid skills for both inside and outside the music room.
But, how do we authentically understand our learners’ cultural frames of reference especially when class time is limited? And how do we create culturally responsive music programs while also ensuring a high quality, rigorous music curriculum that doesn’t add “one more thing” to our already full plates?
In this interactive webinar, K-12 instructional leaders & music educators will understand the principles of culturally responsive & relevant pedagogy by exploring clear examples for the music classroom. You will get clarity about the practical applications of culturally responsive teaching in the music education context so you can move beyond surface level theory to practical applications, whether you teach kindergarten general music or high school band.
**Come live to receive a copy of my “Culturally Responsive Music Ed PD Playlist”!**
Webinar Objectives
You will:
- Know how to avoid common misconceptions by exploring clear examples of culturally responsive teaching in music education.
- Understand the key components your music program needs in order to create the conditions necessary for high quality, rigorous learning for learners from a variety of cultural backgrounds and abilities.
- Be able to identify key shifts you can make so you can confidently cultivate an affirming music learning environment, select diverse repertoire & materials, and design a culturally responsive music curriculum where learners are excited to engage in high quality, rigorous music instruction.
Feedback from previous webinar participants
“I was blown away by all you shared. I wrote fast notes but still want to review the webinar. Your presentation gently touched on so many specific things I wish to address and improve with instruction. I loved the approach of cultural relevance and doing a deep dive that honors the intention and origin of the music. I appreciated your final reminder about making small shifts! Everything was meaningful, well presented, and abundant!” – Susie Rising, Music Educator, Baltimore County Public Schools
“We have been discussing culturally responsive classrooms in staff meetings and it was great to see a music lesson example. “ – Amy Deloria, Music Educator, Maryland
“This was one of the best workshops I’ve ever attended and I’ve been teaching for 38 years! It tied together all the different strategies and multiple levels of learning in a doable way.” – Beth Evans, Music Educator, Alexandria, Virginia
Webinar Logistics, Registration, & Fees
-Audience: K-12 music educators & instructional leaders
-Time: 1.5 hours
-Location: Virtual
-Registration Fee: Free!
Here’s what music educator, Diane Murray-Charrett, shared about our professional learning offerings!:
Hear what teachers & instructional leaders say about our professional learning offerings here!
About the Facilitator
Ashley Cuthbertson, M.Ed, NBCT (she/her) is a nationally recognized consultant and speaker on culturally responsive instruction and equity in music and arts education.
Her work helps PK-12 music and arts educators create affirming learning environments and design engaging, high quality arts instruction that is culturally responsive and relevant to the diverse and ever-evolving needs of today’s learners. Described as an “engaging and charismatic” teacher educator and consultant, educators report that her professional learning programs are “engaging,” and “safe,” and they provide strategies that “will have a positive impact” on their students.
Ashley serves as the founder and principal consultant of A. Cuthbertson Consulting, a national educational consulting firm committed to shifting the landscape of arts education by helping music and arts educators make culturally responsive and equitable teaching and learning the norm, not the exception. In this role, she partners with schools, districts, and organizations to ensure their arts educators are equipped with the knowledge, skills, and dispositions they need to create equitable program policies, cultivate affirming learning environments, and design culturally responsive curriculum and instruction that provides pathways to success for all learners.
Prior to her work as an educational consultant and speaker, Ashley was a dedicated PK-12 general music, choral, and band music educator with a track record of success working with students in a wide variety of diverse communities across public, private, and charter schools. Ashley consistently received highly effective teacher ratings, and demonstrated the ability to move students’ musicianship skills forward while creating culturally responsive, learner-centered academic environments. Additionally, Ashley was a teacher leader in her school district, and she served as an adjunct professor on the faculties of Loyola University Maryland and the University of Maryland Baltimore County.
Additionally, Ashley is a passionate advocate for music and arts education. She serves the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) as a member of the Music Education Policy Roundtable and NAfME Equity Committee, and the Virginia Music Educators Association as chair of the DEI Council.
A nationally board certified teacher, Ashley holds a Master of Education degree from Loyola University Maryland, a Bachelor of Music degree from James Madison University, as well as certifications in Arts Integration and the Kodály approach.