Support Excellence in Teaching
Dr. Sarah Gongaware, the string instrument teacher for Grades 6-12, is bringing the music industry to Parker students.
This past February, Sarah was invited to perform as a cellist during two sold-out performances for Björk, a world-renowned singer and performance artist. The Parker Professional Development program assisted Sarah in traveling with her cello to Miami, Florida, to perform with the respected artist for an audience of over 2,000 people.
Encouraging creativity and confident exploration
Sarah’s students were excited when she brought back videos and photos of her Professional Development experience with the musical icon. She loved sharing more about the music they played and Björk’s creativity as an artist with her classes.
Sharing experiences like this with her class allows her string students to see their instruments from a more versatile standpoint. In speaking with her classes over the years, Sarah has found that her string students feel boxed in as classical musicians. By showcasing her own experiences working with creative artists like Björk, Sarah is able to show her students that they too can delve into all types of music genres in their practice and play. Her PD experience has helped her students become more well-rounded musicians and to feel confident and curious when it comes to exploring how their instruments can journey into these other spaces.
Coming back from the sold-out shows, Sarah also had concrete examples of the importance of professionalism to share with her classes. She’s used her experience to emphasize the importance of being on time, being prepared, and performing to the best of one’s ability in music performances and academic situations.
Inspiring students with real-world moments
Sarah hopes to work with more respected musicians in the future. She emphasized that it’s important for her students to understand that she’s still a performer and an artist herself and that she’s able to bring these real-world moments from the music industry back to support Parker students. She knows her extensive practice and hard work inspire students to do the same.
Each year, Parker invests $340,000 in faculty professional development, which is funded through donations received on Day of Giving (held this year on November 29). When our community invests in faculty professional growth, they can cultivate their passions and curiosity. By providing teachers with the tools to thrive, our students thrive.
By showcasing her own experiences working with creative artists like Björk, Sarah is able to show her students that they too can delve into all types of music genres in their practice and play. Her PD experience has helped her students become more well-rounded musicians and to feel confident and curious when it comes to exploring how their instruments can journey into these other spaces.
Coming back from the sold-out shows, Sarah also had concrete examples of the importance of professionalism to share with her classes. She’s used her experience to emphasize the importance of being on time, being prepared, and performing to the best of one’s ability in music performances and academic situations.
Inspiring students with real-world moments
Sarah hopes to work with more respected musicians in the future. She emphasized that it’s important for her students to understand that she’s still a performer and an artist herself and that she’s able to bring these real-world moments from the music industry back to support Parker students. She knows her extensive practice and hard work inspire students to do the same.
Each year, Parker invests $340,000 in faculty professional development, which is funded through donations received on Day of Giving (held this year on November 29). When our community invests in faculty professional growth, they can cultivate their passions and curiosity. By providing teachers with the tools to thrive, our students thrive.
