In the spring of 2016, my intern supervisor came into my placement classroom and observed me teach a complete lesson during my zero hour jazz band rehearsal. This was the form, based on the Danielson model, that she used to give me constructive feedback on my lesson.

In my supervisor's observation comments, she noted that I performed at an excellent level when it came to communicating with students, using questioning and discussion techniques, and engaging students in learning. She provides specific examples of how I engaged students in discussion and the learning process, and comments that this is one of my strengths as a teacher.

Her observations show that I am able to reach my students on their level and get them excited about the content we are interacting with, even when they are not thrilled about it initially. I can get my students engaged in the music, not only by playing the correct notes and rhythms, but also by thinking critically about the music, what role they play in creating the music, and what aspects of musicality are important when preparing a piece of music. The conversation I have with the two students mentioned in my observation form is a prime example of how I am using discussion techniques to get my students engaged in the music and help them develop the skills necessary to take responsibility for their learning as growing musicians.