DEED Spotlight on Kendi Adams and Melanie Bieniek, Music Teachers, FNSBSD

Kendi Adams has been an elementary band teacher for ten years in the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District, and Melanie Bieniek has been teaching music since 2001. When school buildings closed to students in March, they both needed to find a way to continue music instruction during the pandemic. They strongly believe all children should have access to music in schools, whether in person or remote.

While some of the “magic” that comes from performing music together was more difficult to achieve during distance learning, they were determined to bring music into the homes of their students. Through use of online resources like Padlet and SmartMusic, students had the opportunity to experience and perform music through a variety of activities. The students at Ticasuk Brown Elementary were even able to participate in their school talent show!

Although the experience was different, Ms. Adams and Ms. Bieniek received some great feedback from students about how music was the highlight of their week! Having Zoom lessons gave students specific and practical practice goals and was an opportunity for immediate feedback and direction. They also enjoyed weekly Zoom meetings with fellow music teachers to connect and collaborate. Sharing ideas and resources created a community of support amongst their colleagues.

Here are a few tips from Ms. Adams and Ms. Bieniek for distance learning:

• Make learning fun and meaningful for students! There are a lot of not-fun things going on right now, but school and learning should be bright spots.
• Do a few things – and do them well! You can’t help anyone if you’re overwhelmed. Identify what’s important and learn what works for you.
• Leave work at work! A work/life balance is important for mental and emotional health.
• Love your students while you’ve got them! Whether that’s at school or via distance.

As they move into the 2020-2021 school year with distance learning in FNSBSD, they are looking forward to the opportunity to explore new and creative ways to reach students with music through distance education.

Thank you, Ms. Adams and Ms. Bieniek, for keeping music in students’ lives through distance learning!