Bb Readings (Ervin)

Pat Tregoning
MUS 23241
1-25-11
    
     [Ervin, Max T., May 1979, Personal qualities of successful music teachers, The Instrumentalist, pp.30-31]

     The first reading I chose to respond to was the reading entitled "Personal Qualities of Successful Music Teachers" by Ervin. The general summary of this article is that Mr. Ervin goes on to talk about the qualities successful music teachers often possess to become successful teachers. These qualities include things such as "a love for young people" or "a love to teach" even the quality of being a sincere person. The article later goes into detail about not only qualities of good teachers but also how "great teachers" can develop their craft into a truly good skill and allow these teachers to excel at what they do. He later concludes that "great teaching is a great art; it demands a sensitivity of emotions and intellect like few other human pursuits". He takes this article hoping teachers in the field that could potentially be struggling a chance to read this and self evaluate themselves and help them identify where their own strengths or weaknesses could be.
     I share personal experience with (in my opinion) all music education related things through my mother who has been teaching for 35 years in music. She always has talked about the qualities of being a good successful music teacher including some of the qualities listed in this article like having "a love to help young people" and having "a love to teach" just to name a few. I definitely consider her a role model in my life.
     I throughly agree with Max Ervin's approach to this article. This can really be an inspirational tool to a struggling teacher who might be struggling in the field. I always enjoy reading inspirational tools that can even help "light a fire" to help someone get the motivation in them to do well. I could definitely see myself referring back to this article in the future when I enter the field.