The key research question for this qualitative study was as follows: How do program directors in selected schools describe the successes and challenges related to the design of their Master of Music degree in music education? Data sources included website content for 21 NASM-accredited programs and individual interviews with program directors from…

The purpose of this inquiry was to describe the preservice music teacher education perceptions of 10 experienced music teachers who had participated in studies of teacher education 10 and 20 years ago. Data included written responses and two individual interviews. The first four themes show participants' reactions to the past and suggestions for…

While there are extensive literature reviews on how classroom video may support teacher learning, none is specific to music educators. We reviewed the literature published over the last 30 years in peer-reviewed journals, focusing on empirical studies where classroom videos had been used with pre- and/or in-service school music teachers. Twenty…

The purpose of this study was to examine how four experienced music teachers describe their navigation of the micropolitical landscape in their schools. Research questions included: (a) How do the teacher participants describe their strategies used to navigate the political, contextual, and interpersonal landscape of their schools and school…

The purpose of this study was to examine the descriptions of workplace experiences of nine music teachers in direct relation to the literature on micropolitics. Research questions were: (a) How did participant music teachers' descriptions of their workplace experiences relate to teachers, administrators, and students (as discussed in the…

The purpose of this study was to describe experiences of 12 second-stage music teachers as several themes emerged from a secondary analysis of previously collected written survey and interview data. Participants were previously involved in studies in which they were asked to reflect on their beginning teaching experiences and discuss their music…

The purpose of this literature review is to examine research focused on first-year music educators in an effort to present recommendations for preservice music teacher education and research. The three bodies of literature presented include the following: challenges faced by beginning music teachers, views of beginning music teachers concerning…

This literature review defines the field of micropolitics in education, presents empirical studies of micropolitics from both general education and teacher education research, and connects micropolitics research to music teacher education research. Suggestions for music teacher education include: (a) introducing policy in preservice education; (b)…

A trained music educator accepted a band paraprofessional position and discovered some of the challenges inherent in the role. Certified for K-12 music, he was hired part-time in a large suburban instrumental music program. The job, although interesting and challenging, did not pay enough to sustain him financially. Other music educators warned…

The purpose of this study was to examine the experiences of seven music educators who conducted teacher research in their classrooms and to document whether the teachers and the local school district considered the project as professional development. Research questions included: (1) How do these music educators describe the experience of planning…

In response to recent concern regarding music education major retention and as an effort to contribute to the "lives of teachers" scholarship in music education, the primary research question for this study was: How do undergraduate students describe their lived experiences within the instrumental music education community? Data included a…

The purpose of this study was to examine the perceptions of experienced music teachers regarding their preparation for and experience of mentoring in a 2-year mentor project focusing on the support of teachers in Title I schools in Orlando, Florida. Data included the following: initial expectations of mentoring from Year 1 (note cards), biggest…

The need for understanding the issues facing beginning teachers is well documented in the education literature. Within music education, there is also growing interest in the challenges of the first years and the overall life cycle of a music teacher. However, few sources have used the stories of beginning teachers themselves to illustrate the…

Describes the case method of instruction as using cases or studies of teachers in real or fictional settings as prompts for students' discussion and reflection. Summarizes the case method research in music and teacher education, identifies casebooks for teacher education, discusses teachers' use of case method, and offers suggestions for practice…

Although it is not yet common practice, case studies are beginning to be used in undergraduate music methods classes. One fruitful approach is the use of case studies as a means of nurturing reflective practice through cooperative learning activities. This paper describes and presents support for the case method of instruction through a review of…