Thanks to a tailored fit program, Tommy can combine his family life, work and studies
- Music
At first glance, it seems almost impossible to combine; being a father in a young family, living and working in Limburg, and simultaneously pursuing a study at the ArtEZ Academy of Music in Enschede. Thanks to the tailored fit programme that the Tailor Made Music in Education study can offer, it became an option for Tommy. He follows his studies partially online, and on Mondays, he sits in the classrooms in Enschede where not only is music being created but also innovative approaches to music education are actively developed. The rest of the week, Tommy works as a music teacher in secondary school.
Contentment
"Not everyone receives the same musical background at home. Extracurricular music lessons can be quite expensive for parents, and sometimes the interest isn't there yet. Nevertheless, it is beneficial for the brain to learn how to make music (together). As a music teacher in a school, you can ignite or maintain the metaphorical flame. Some students have had piano or guitar lessons before but have lost the joy in it. Others want to do something with music but don't know where to start. In both cases, as a music teacher, you can make a difference. It gives me a lot of contentment to make music together with this target group, to listen to each other, and to introduce them to this beautiful language. I didn't know it ten years ago, but being a music teacher is truly my calling!"
More job opportunities and a teaching qualification
Tommy's background lies in classical music. When the Classical Music program was still part of the curriculum at the ArtEZ Academy of Music in Enschede, he graduated with a major in bass trombone. After working as a musician for a while, Tommy began exploring other career possibilities. Someone asked him if he was interested in teaching, and that's how Tommy started giving his first lessons in technics in secondary education. He discovered that teaching is something he finds a lot of joy and satisfaction in. The decision to combine making music and teaching was then easily made.
To work as a music teacher, you need didactic knowledge and a teaching qualification. While exploring study options to obtain this qualification and acquire this knowledge, Tommy's attention was immediately drawn to the conservatory in Enschede. "I already knew that this academy pays a lot of attention to the individual and truly offers a tailormade education programme. The teachers and staff collaborate with me, and almost anything is possible. I can imagine that people in a similar situation might think it's impossible, but I reccomend to just have a conversation with the head of the program. Very quickly, you can come up with a plan together to make it work. You're not just a number here."
Internship as an Art and Cultural Education (CKV) Teacher
"At the school where I work, a CKV teacher was absent, and I was asked if I could fill in. A prime example of the tailor made program that ArtEZ provides me is that, after a brief discussion with the head of the program, I could reschedule my internship period and immediately use this substitute period as part of my mandatory internship. CKV (Cultural and Artistic Formation) is also a subject for which you gain teaching qualifications upon successfully completing the Tailor Made Music in Education program."
I can imagine that people in a similar situation might think it's impossible, but I reccomend to just have a conversation with the head of the program. You can come up with a plan together to make it work. You're not just a number here."
Don't hesitate, just do it!
"For those who may be doubting whether there is enough work for music teachers, I can reassure them. There are ample job opportunities, and with this teaching qualification, you can also instruct art subjects and Cultural and Artistic Formation (CKV). Besides a decent salary, you can derive great contentment from it and learn something new every day. My advice once again: reach out to the program and explore what possibilities exist in your situation. If becoming a music teacher is your dream, take the first step today!"
