Teaching Music through Projects, Challenges, and Portfolios: What School Could Be in Hawai’i
This is an episode from Josh Reppun’s “What School Could Be in Hawai’i,” a podcast on the people, technology and methodologies pushing the mantle of education in the 50th state. This episode features an interview with Zach Morita, music teacher at Niu Valley Middle School in Oahu, Hawai’i.
Zach Morita, a music teacher at Niu Valley Middle School on the island of Oahu in Hawaiʻi, is a relatively new teacher, and is bringing a fresh approach to music education. On this episode of “What School Could Be in Hawai’i”, host Josh Reppun explores how Zach is using a multi-tier approach to teaching music, including project-based, challenge-based, portfolio-based learning. His students are collaborating with each other and members of the outside musical community. Along the way, he is employing Flipgrid, and other educational technologies, to give his students voice and a place to archive artifacts of learning.
Zach is a recent winner of the 2018 Farmers Insurance $100,000 Dream Big Teacher Challenge. He has taken student performance groups to New York, Ohio, Illinois, Iowa, Colorado, Massachusetts, and Texas. In the summer of 2019, the Niu Valley Middle School Concert Band performed at the Australian International Music Festival in the Sydney Opera House. He has conducted and directed student groups at the 2017 New York Wind Band Festival in Carnegie Hall, the 2016 National Conference on Percussion Pedagogy, the 2014 American School Band Directors Association Conference, and the 2012 Winter Guard International Percussion World Championships.
Active in the Hawaii music community, Zach is past Treasurer and ongoing Solo/Ensemble Chairperson for the Oahu Band Directors Association, Associate Music Director of the Honolulu Wind Ensemble, and President/Founder of the Hawaii Youth Percussion Ensemble. He is sponsored by Zildjian Cymbals, Vic Firth Sticks & Mallets, Grover Pro Percussion, and Pearl/Adams Musical Instruments. Zach is also an active member of the Hawaii education community on Twitter.
Podcast episodes are edited by middle school students in the Kealakehe Intermediate Hawk Media Productions program. 8th grader, Mei Kanada, is podcast post-production team leader.
For the latest news, videos, and podcasts in the Education Technology Industry, be sure to subscribe to our industry publication.
Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!
Twitter – @EdTechMKSL
Facebook – facebook.com/marketscale
LinkedIn – linkedin.com/company/marketscale
Latest
Mastering AV Sales Strategies: A Diverse Market Requires Understanding Individual Needs
Mastering AV sales strategies in a global professional audio-visual (Pro AV) market, poised to reach $79.2 billion by 2028, requires much attention to detail. The surge in demand from corporate, government, and institutional sectors, driven by the need for enhanced productivity and efficient working environments, gives AV sales pros a lot of opportunity. In […]
Cybersecurity in Healthcare: Addressing the Growing Threat
To keep up with the growing threats, cybersecurity in healthcare is a high-level priority. The recent ransomware attack on Ardent Health underscores a stark reality for the healthcare industry: cyber threats are a significant and ongoing challenge. Mike Saylor, the CEO of Blackswan Cybersecurity, LLC, sheds light on the complexities of cybersecurity in healthcare. […]
Effective Debt Management Holds the Keys to Small Business Cash Flow and Growth
Effective debt management through a robust accounts receivable system is essential for small business cash flow and growth, necessitating automated payment schedules and strategic policy adjustments. Collaborating with a collection agency as a strategic partner can enhance revenue recovery while preserving positive customer relationships. How critical is effective debt management for the financial health […]
