TEACHING PHILOSOPHY:

I believe that music is for all children and all children are musical. I believe that music education meets the needs of children, that instruction must begin early, and must include the whole family. Children need exposure to the best quality music – folk songs that have a history of their own, not composed teaching songs, and quality recordings. Children should be exposed to quality instruments and materials. Children need to learn the language of music much in the same way that they learn the spoken language.

MY BACKGROUND:

I graduated from Hanover College in 2003 with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education, and in 2007, I received my master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from Indiana University. I taught 4th and 5th grade for 7 years in Indiana and Michigan, before moving to Paris, France. While in Paris, I had my first taste of early childhood education, working in a bilingual preschool. After returning to the United States, I was trained in early childhood music and began teaching early childhood music and movement classes. I moved to Kentucky in 2017 and began Miss Jody's Musikgarten in 2018. Since then, I have transitioned to teaching an early childhood music curriculum called "Music Makes Me Move", based on the research-based WeJoySing curriculum by the well-known early childhood music educator Jo Kirk. I have played piano since I was 5, been trained in voice, and have directed several children's choirs. I also teach music at Zion Christian Academy.

WHEN I’M NOT TEACHING:

I enjoy spending time with my husband and three young children. When I have free time, I like to read, watch movies, do yoga, and bake!