Purposeful Teaching Philosophy. Teaching with Purpose: Vision, Values, and Reflective Practice in Music Education
Date: 30th July 2026
Time: 11:30-1:00pm
What shapes the way we teach, and how often do we pause to reflect on the values, beliefs, and intentions underpinning our practice? This workshop explores the importance of purposeful teaching in music education, encouraging vocal and instrumental music teachers to consider how their professional values, teaching philosophy, and reflective practice shape the learning experiences they create for students.
Drawing on their own professional practice and research, the presenters will examine different approaches to critical reflection as tools for professional growth and pedagogical development. Dr Burgess will introduce Stephen Brookfield’s four-lens model of critical reflection (Brookfield, 1995) and present practical tools she has developed to support evidence-informed reflective practice. Dr Simones will present the Echoes for Excellence framework (Simones, 2025), highlighting how reflective and values-led teaching can contribute to more meaningful, inclusive, and effective music education practices.
Participants will be invited to critically examine their own teaching approaches, professional identities, and long-term aspirations as educators while engaging in reflective dialogue with fellow teachers.
Guided reflection and collaborative discussion will support participants in aligning their everyday practice with a clearer sense of purpose, fostering greater confidence, authenticity, and impact in their teaching.
Everyone is welcome to this second workshop in this year-long series of workshops. We look forward to meeting and working with every one of you online. Naturally, we would love you to be an SMEI Member to sustain our volunteer music education network.
SMEI Members avail of discounted rates, in this case the workshops are completely FREE FOR ALL SMEI Members. SMEI members please sign up through the Member link below…
Ready to become an SMEI member? Please JOIN US today, and return here and sign up to the workshop as an SMEI Member. Welcome to SMEI!
Not ready to become an SMEI member? Please click the link below and pay the €30 fee. Thank you for your interest and participation in these workshops.
Workshops are FREE for Members, or you can pay €30 per workshop…
Not ready to join SMEI? Sign up here to pay €30 workshop in the Purposeful Vocal and Instrumental Teaching Workshop…