The Educational Gift of Music by Jenna

The Educational Gift of Music by Jenna - September 2024 Scholarship Essay

My favorite non-traditional way to learn is through singing or where movement is involved. It started early for me. My mom is a teacher, so she was able to put me in an academic pre-school that was run by her school district. I learned a LOT there - days of the week, months of the year, ABC songs with sign language, songs with movement in Spanish, and I can sing you two different songs that tell you the names of the 50 states.

This song education continued at home. My mom is a big fan of Sesame Street. I can still tell you words in Japanese due to Big Bird. Just watching Disney dvds while the caption was showing helped me learn how to read at an early age. I love the song “18 wheels on the big rig” because it has so much math content in it.

The singing continued throughout middle school and high school. I can tell you up to 41 digits of pi - due to the pi song. My Algebra 2 teacher actually gave me bonus points because it impressed him so much. My mom tutors at home, I learned the Quadratic Formula song before I knew what the Quadratic Formula was.

I’ve impressed a lot of social studies teachers because I can list the first 10 amendments to the constitution because I can say it using hand movements. Many of my teachers have even asked me to teach it to them.

Outside of school I am currently learning how to work with students of all ages. I sing a lot to them too. I am an American Red Cross swim instructor that teaches swim lessons to people of all ages 6 months to adults. I coach tumbling and a cheer team at two different gyms. I also coach private tumbling. I believe all of this will help me become a great teacher.

I am thankful I’ve had non-traditional learning methods. Singing and movement has shaped my educational experience in lasting ways. From an early age, where songs and sign language helped build my foundational knowledge, to my ongoing work as a swim instructor and cheer coach, I have seen the power of music and movement can facilitate learning. It’s not just about memorizing facts; it’s about making learning fun. As I continue to build and enrich my teaching skills, I am looking forward to sharing this approach, making sure that learning remains memorable for every student I have. Music truly is a universal language, and I look forward to sharing its joys and benefits with students of all ages.