Emma Chenier

When I mapped out my work using the Eisenhower Matrix, I noticed something important. I have been putting energy into things that look polished but do not always create the deepest impact. That does not mean I have been doing it wrong. It means I am ready for a shift.

As a music educator, I care deeply about preparation. My detailed plans have given structure and clarity to my classes, but I have realized that sometimes I hold onto them too tightly. Teaching is not only about executing a plan. It is about responding to the humans in the room. My strongest lessons have always come from the moments when I leaned into flexibility, creativity, and connection rather than dependency on nitty-gritty lesson plans.

My students deserve a teacher who continues to grow alongside them. They deserve someone who models creative risk-taking, authentic vulnerability, and trust in the process. These are the same qualities I want them to carry into their own lives.

What I Am Learning About My Students

Every day I see young people who hide behind masks. Some are afraid they are not good enough. Others are hesitant to show how capable they are. Real learning requires vulnerability. It means stepping forward even when the outcome is uncertain. When grades are treated as the only thing that matters, that courage fades.

That is why I want to help my students redefine success. Education is not about a number or a letter. It is about finding your voice, trusting yourself, and understanding that failure is part of growth.

My Declaration of Intent

This year I am committed to creating brave spaces. I want both my students and myself to practice trusting the process more than perfection. After all, practice does not mean perfect; practice means progress. That means loosening rigid structures and making room for learning that is dynamic, unpredictable, and alive.

I am building in more opportunities for students to critically reflect on their own growth. Through my own reading, I have found critical reflection practices to have an incredible integration into both my classroom and life. Outlined by Stephen Brookfield, critical reflection allows students to see and monitor their progress, take ownership of their learning, and build self awareness that impacts their future thoughts and actions.

For myself, I am choosing to model what I teach. I do not need everything to be perfect before I begin. I need to step forward with courage and curiosity.

The Small Step That Changes Everything

My first step is to give students more chances to create without the safety net of traditional structures. This might look like composing with found sounds, approaching problems in new ways, or expressing themselves outside of neat categories (like scale and theory tests, standard repertoire selections, and western style musical practices). When students take and fully allow themselves to take these risks, they discover that they already have what it takes to learn and to contribute meaningfully.

This work reaches beyond music education. It is about helping young people know that their voices matter. It is about showing them that their creativity and critical thinking have value beyond a grade. It is about reminding them that the most powerful learning happens when we are willing to step into the unknown.

Here is to a year of brave attempts, beautiful surprises, and learning that breathes beyond the page.

The curriculum was never the destination. It is the starting point.