Teacher: Holly Mocabee

Typed word for word as she spoke.

Where do you teach and what subject(s)?
Highland Middle School; general music and choir
How long have you been teaching?
4 years completed, starting on her5th
Where did you get your teaching degree and how long did it take you?
Valparaiso University-4 years
What made you want to become a teacher?
I have two younger sisters who Ive always loved looking after. When
we were in elementary school, we would come home from class and play
school at home. I am 4 and 5 years older than them and while we played
school I would help them with their homework while trying to teach them the
lessons at my level. The reaction on their faces when they learned
something knew or remembered an older subject was my first inclination
that I wanted to be a teacher. Knowing that I had some small part of helping
them obtain and retain information was extremely rewarding. Therefore, I
knew then that I wanted to continue to help children with their education for
years to come.
What are the most exciting aspects of teaching?
I think the most exciting aspect of teaching is having the ability to
give students from all backgrounds the same opportunity to obtain knowledge.
Although students do not learn the same way and may have different challenges
facing them that my hinder their ability to succeed in sports, clubs, etc. teaching
music allows all students will all challenges to succeed!
Most challenging?
One of the most challenging aspects of teaching is to teach students
about discipline, especially those students who may not have learned it at home.
When I say discipline, I dont just mean reprimanding students for misbehavior,
but discipline of procedures, rules, instrument care, how to carry themselves as
respectful individuals.
How do you define teaching?
Thats a hard one, I guess I see teaching as the opportunity to help others
learn who they are and learn the skills necessary for becoming a successful

member of society. Its the opportunity to challenge students to obtain the

knowledge necessary to survive and to become developed and well rounded
individuals.
How do you help students experience success?
Not only have high expectations for them, but ensure that they are
completing their work. Be sure to communicate with them as well as their parents
and hold them accountable. Depending on the age, they may need more help
remembering homework or reminders on due dates. Allow second chances when
needed, but hold true to your consequences for incomplete assignments. Support
your students in and out of the classroom. Go to games, clubs, shows, etc. to
show them that you really do care.
How do you individualize instruction for students?
Depending if students have IEPs or other modifications provided, I tend to
follow what works best for them. If a student does better auditory work Ill read it
to them. If a student has trouble with vocabulary, I reword their
tests/assessments. Students who have reading comprehension challenges are
given time and a half to complete work. I communicate with home teachers a lot
and keep my own assessment log for students who are having a difficult time.
What procedures do you use to evaluate student progress besides using tests?
In the music classroom, there are many opportunities to assess and evaluate
students progress from vocal response, 5 finger assessment (students hold up
fingers in front of their chest representing how much they understand the material
1-unclear to 5-I get it!), exit slips (one to three questions on todays material that
will reflect their comprehension, group projects, essays, open ended questions,
using Blooms Taxonomy questions level 4-5 that requires students to analyze the
material, and finally performance based assessment.
How do you collaborate with your colleagues?
I like to collaborate by asking some of the team teachers what their unit
plans are and try to add a day or two in our units to combine lessons. For
example, the humanities class was working on a Civil Rights unit, therefore I had
my advanced choir learn 5-7 songs from that represented the unit material. In the
process of teaching them their music lessons, I was able to give a small history
lesson to provide them with more information. We also performed for the
Humanities class that allowed my students to perform and allowed the Humanities
to go further into their material as well.
What do you feel is the most effective way to communicate with parents?
I have found that e-mail has worked best with those parents who are eager
to hear of their childs progress. Also, if the parent provides a personal phone

number such as a cell or work number, it seems to work pretty well. I havent had
much luck calling house phones, because I usually just get answering machines. I
also set up a teacher Facebook that I use to update concert dates, etc. and Ive
found that many parents are quick to ask questions or even comment on concert
photos etc.
How do you integrate technology into the curriculum you teach?
We have a projector that mimics the teacher computer, has a video input,
as well as a white board screen. I use it everyday as well as the sound system in
the classroom to allow students to hear multiple styles/genres of music. For the
choral classroom, the piano and small keyboards are used frequently. In one of
the units for my class, I allow students to use their iPods/Cell phones to create a
melody just by the tones in their keys.
Describe your teaching style and how you accommodate the different learning
styles of the students in your classes.
My teaching style is energetic and fast paced. Because I am teaching
students between the age of 11-14 their attention span is anywhere between 9-16
minutes. I do my best to change activities a few times a lesson why still staying
focused on our daily objective. Asking open ended and higher level questions are
a few things I focus on. For assessments, we have a variety of written, oral, and
hands on work that we do so that I can my certain that all students with different
learning styles are able to succeed. Accommodations are made to all written work
and assessments for those students who require it.
In what ways do you keep students on task and well behaved during collaborative
group activities?
I never sit down. Im always moving around the room or walking from group
to group making myself available for questions. The more they are
singing/working with hands on assignments; the less disruptions are made
because theyre engaged.
Who have influenced your own education and educational career the most?
I have a few people that have influenced both my educational pursuit and
educational career. First, I have to mention my two younger sisters. Without their
eagerness to learn and openness to ask me for questions, I never would have
realized my love for teaching. Second, would be my mother for instilling the
importance of higher education and how it will allow me to support myself as well
as a family. My church family and husband have been such a big support system
during my educational pursuit and my job search. Finally, my college advisor was
a big influence in my educational career/pursuit. I struggled a bit in the music
department during college in the fact that I never made it to the top choir and had
a hard time in a few classes. Through this struggle, my advisor still saw my
potential and Ill never forget his comment to me at my closing meeting, Without

these struggles, you wouldnt know what to say to your future students that
struggle. This will allow you to speak from your heart and experience to help
them through trying time.
Describe the management strategies and techniques you use to maintain an
effective classroom environment.
Organization is key. The students are all aware of classroom procedures, i.e.
how to enter the room, where to turn in work, where to sit, etc. The more
organized a teacher/classroom is, the easier classroom management is. One
thing I have learned in the few years that I have been teaching is that you HAVE
to follow your own rules. Yes there are exceptions that can be made from time to
time because ever situation is different, however, a teacher MUST follow through
with what they say their going to do. The more consistent I am with procedures,
rules, and behavior modifications; the better maintained the class is. I have
behavior plan contracts for the students to sigh, infraction notices for them to sign
and take home to sign when they are being disruptive, and detention procedures
they are aware of. The more you hold the students responsible for their own
actions, the more aware they are of when they act out.
Can you think of the most difficult and the best days youve had in the classroom?
The most difficult day thus far was when I was working at a different middle
school and I had to answer questions to a law enforcement officer on a possible
prosecution of one of my 7th grade boys. One of the best days was when I was
teaching at the high school level and we had been working for weeks on a song.
It was a very difficult piece and I had tried everything to get the students to
understand it and didnt know what else I could do. I gave the students a
deadline to have their song learned in hopes that would get them to practice
outside of class. Well, one day I walked into school and half of my choir students
were in practice rooms helping one another learn their piece. When it was time
for class we warmed up and it was time for their memorization quiz. I had the
choir stand and gave them their pitches and when they sang the song a capella, it
was so beautiful, warm, and rounded that I burst into tears! It wasnt the song
itself that made me cry, it was the fact that I had been challenging the students
and working with them on becoming prepared and disciplined students, and the
executed their requirements. I was very proud!
What advice could you offer to me, as a future teacher?
I would suggest to steal. Yes, steal. Steal ideas from all other teachers, coop teachers, and other education students on classroom management tips,
procedure ideas, behavior plans, activities, etc.
Organization is key. The more organized and prepared you are for your
lessons the better it will be for you and for your students. Have it written out and
accessible to both you and your students. No one ever told me or showed me

examples of what classroom management really was and I had to figure it out
on my own. Not that someone can tell you how to run your classroom, but hints
and ideas from others is always helpful. Be specific, but keep your rules short.