I am writing this grant with the goal of continuing a mission of my educational career shaped by the tragic events of September 11, 2001. Three weeks into my teaching career, I learned of the premeditated devastation the terrorists intended upon the American people. I was horrified that such hatred could exist. To compound the problem, the instinctive reaction of some was to hate back and unfairly judge a certain segment of the American population whose ethnicity was similar to that of the terrorists. These observations helped clarify my primary mission as a teacher: the best combatant to more hate in our world is to allow our youth to discover the beauty, not the divide, found in our differences.
I believe that multiculturalism is a way of being, not an event or unit of study. As a part of becoming deeply immersed in the music and traditions of other cultures, I have established a World Music Drumming ensemble and a Zimbabwean marimba ensemble as in-depth experiences for students to help accomplish this mission. All of my 406 music students, ranging from 1st grade - 5th grade, have the opportunity to learn to play these instruments. The Zimbabwean marimba ensemble still has room to grow with the purchase of instruments. The funds for this project will fund a bass marimba, which is the largest and most expensive of the different sizes of instruments needed for this ensemble. One of our primary culminating goals is to perform throughout our community in order to bring this music and experience to audiences and continue the cycle of exposure and appreciation of other cultures.
About my class
I am writing this grant with the goal of continuing a mission of my educational career shaped by the tragic events of September 11, 2001. Three weeks into my teaching career, I learned of the premeditated devastation the terrorists intended upon the American people. I was horrified that such hatred could exist. To compound the problem, the instinctive reaction of some was to hate back and unfairly judge a certain segment of the American population whose ethnicity was similar to that of the terrorists. These observations helped clarify my primary mission as a teacher: the best combatant to more hate in our world is to allow our youth to discover the beauty, not the divide, found in our differences.
I believe that multiculturalism is a way of being, not an event or unit of study. As a part of becoming deeply immersed in the music and traditions of other cultures, I have established a World Music Drumming ensemble and a Zimbabwean marimba ensemble as in-depth experiences for students to help accomplish this mission. All of my 406 music students, ranging from 1st grade - 5th grade, have the opportunity to learn to play these instruments. The Zimbabwean marimba ensemble still has room to grow with the purchase of instruments. The funds for this project will fund a bass marimba, which is the largest and most expensive of the different sizes of instruments needed for this ensemble. One of our primary culminating goals is to perform throughout our community in order to bring this music and experience to audiences and continue the cycle of exposure and appreciation of other cultures.