Views on leadership in the classroom

As a leader, I believe I am a role model, an advisor, a confidant, and a colleague.  As a leader in music education I believe it is important for us to build connections and reach out to student's individual needs. I believe as a music educator and leader I am confident, understanding, ambitious, outgoing, honest, and creative.  I believe that music education is more than just teaching a class, it is also about being a role model and advisor to students.  I believe it is important for educators to know a little bit of student's lives outside of school.  I feel being an active confidant or acquaintance to students is vital to be able to teach a student based on their individual needs, circumstances, and situations.  Since coming to JMU I feel as if my expectations as an educator have increased.  I have directed 3 concerts at my church with over 60 musicians.  I  was asked more questions to make sure I did everything by the book.  Although I enjoy the enthusiasm and help during these processes as a leader, I hope that when I start my student teaching that people will trust me and let me try to succeed even if it's not 100% by the book.  I also hope to try new techniques on the classroom and take non traditional paths towards education.  When I enter my student teaching phase of education, I hope to have learned different techniques and ways of teaching.  I hope these different approaches will better my ability to decide how to teach students.