Teaching these days is a hard job, right? With all of the new responsibilities and challenges that come our way, finding a healthy work/life balance can seem as impossible as finding a unicorn. And that enthusiasm you had heading into your first year is something to guard and cherish. If you’re spending all your time on work, it’s hard to enjoy it during music class.
Well I want to sprinkle joy back into your teaching.
Since 2010, I have enjoyed creating resources for my students to promote music literacy, music history, and music making. Why not use these engaging lessons and activities rather than spend your precious time recreating the wheel? Your nights and weekends are for family, fun, and rest, so let’s keep it that way.
My Story
My name is Liz Kutschke (pronounced like “cookie” with a “ch” in the middle, as I tell my students), and I am a general music specialist. I’ve taught in Illinois and Arizona since 2010, and boy has time flown! Over the years I’ve had the pleasure of teaching general and vocal music to children ages 3 to 14 in a variety of settings: Catholic school, public schools, traveling, on a cart, in a classroom, and even in the teachers’ lounge (yeah, that was a fun one!). I consider myself fortunate to have worked with students of varying socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds, and different physical and neurodivergent abilities.
My Philosophy
This quote sums it up. Children deserve quality music from a variety of styles, languages, and cultures. We read music, sing, play, compose, dance, and above all, experience joy in music class.
Just for Fun
So now that you know about my teaching experience, here are 5 fun facts about me.
- I have 2 kids, Ben (3) and Cece (2). They’re only 15 months apart.
- As much as I love music, I tend to listen to podcasts and audiobooks unless I’m driving.
- My main instrument is voice; I’m a mezzo soprano.
- I have seen Into the Woods well over a hundred times. (mostly on VHS/DVD)
- Corgis are the best. Our dog Morty is half German Shepherd, half Corgi, and he’s the sweetest.
