Navigating the Climate: Perspectives of a Rural Music Educator

Music Education and Educators in Missouri, Iowa, and Illinois

“…It is interesting to note that the findings were inconsistent regarding the stereotype that younger, less experienced music educators find “starter jobs” in rural locations and then move to suburban jobs as their careers progress (Bates, 2011; Sieger, 2020). This was not observed to be the case among the participants from Missouri or Iowa but was observed among the participants from Illinois, albeit with a small effect size.…”

“…Collecting demographic data about the music teachers in the United States is important to determine if progress is being made with respect to calls for increased ethnic and racial representation among music educators (Bergee et al, 2001; DeLorenzo & Silverman, 2016; Elpus, 2015) and an increase of diversity in gender representation at levels and in subspecialties in which a lack of gender diversity has been observed historically (Gould, 1992; Sheldon & Hartley, 2012). These data also would be helpful in determining the accuracy of common stereotypes about music teaching positions, such as the notion that rural jobs are “starter jobs” (Bates, 2011; Sieger, 2020). Further, without adequate data about the music teaching positions in the United States, music teacher preparation programs may not be able to gauge if their curricula match the needs of music educators once they are in the field.…”