My Story
My Promise
To provide teachers with high quality educational products and service based on 30+ years experience in the elementary music classroom.
Janis Aston, MEd
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
I am a retired elementary music teacher with over 30 years of experience in public schools, including inner city schools. I also worked as a curriculum writer and editor at Lifeway Christian Resources, a music typesetter/editor, graphic artist, and adjunct faculty at Trevecca Nazarene University. Currently I am working as an independent side-by-side coach with the Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools, Music Makes Us program. But don't think of me as OLD!! Just been there, done that!
MY TEACHING STYLE
As a music educator, my methodology included both large and small group activities, project-based learning as I became the facilitator of child-directed activities in an interdisciplinary and differentiated classroom. It was very important for every child who entered my room to feel safe and to enjoy learning in a non-threatening environment. I feel I was highly successful in creating that experience for my students.
HONORS/AWARDS/SHINING TEACHER MOMENT
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Elementary Teacher of the Year, Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools
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Voted Teacher of the Year at my school, 2 times
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2010-11 DAIS Award Nortel Institute
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Chair of Faculty Advisory Committee
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Chair of Technology Committee
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Internal coach, Positive Behavior Support (SWPBIS)
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Responsible for Related Arts Schedules my entire career, over 30 years
MY OWN EDUCATIONAL HISTORY
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Middle Tennessee State University, Bachelor of Music
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University of Tennessee, certification in music, K-12
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Tennessee State University, Masters in Education
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Nashville Tech, Graphic Art and Design
ADDITIONAL BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION
I grew up in Nashville, Tennessee and attended public schools there. I lived in Maryville, TN, for 3 years after I married. We returned to Nashville in 1976. I have been happily married to Don for 50 years. I have a daughter, son-in-law, and 2 grandchildren who moved back to Nashville from Chicago in 2015. I attend and have been active in the music ministry at First Baptist Church Nashville for over 40 years. I am thoroughly enjoying retirement and making available the many resources I created throughout the years in my classroom. Follow my BLOG and Facebook Page.
MY CLASSROOM
Over my 30-year career, I went from no classroom, teaching as a volunteer in the regular classroom, to teaching on a cart, on the stage in the cafeteria, to being moved to several portables, designed my own music room twice, and all at the same school! We went from an upper middle class neighborhood school to a Title 1, low income school, with 99% of our students on free and reduced lunch plans. Children are children and, although their needs may be different because of their environment, they still laugh, learn, and love music. As you can see from the photos on this website, my students had fun in my classroom. They learned even when they didn't know they were learning! I would not trade my 30 years of high-level stress, energy, and exhaustion for anything! I want you to have those wonderful experiences also!!
