Seth in New Zealand by Seth Hoffman

Hello friends, it’s me Seth Hoffman (teacher/musician/songwriter) here. I’ve started this blog so folks can follow some of my adventures and discoveries while I am on my Fulbright program here in Wellington, New Zealand. I post much on Facebook, but I wanted to have an option so my well-respected non-Facebook users can also come along for the journey.

Here’s where I am right at the moment. I’m at a little work station at the lovely Wellington Public Library located at 65 Victoria Street in downtown central Wellington.

Bringing Passion into the Classroom

You’re probable wondering, “What in the heck are you doing in Wellington, New Zealand?” Well, the title of my Fulbright Project is called “Bringing Joy and Passion Back Into the Classroom.” You may likely be aware (or maybe you aren’t aware) that budgets for music and the arts in schools are being cut left and right. The focus is almost entirely on raising Standarized Test scores in reading, writing, and math.

I’m very much in favor for of students improving their reading, writing, and math skills. These are no doubt very important life and career skills. However, I believe there are other ways to go about reaching these goals. Throughout my 11 year teaching career, I have observed students thriving and becoming highly engaged through music and drama. This engagement transfers to self esteem and participation, and in the end helps the very skills these high stakes tests are assessing.

Though my focus is music, I want to advocate and encourage teachers to bring their specific passion and interests into the classroom. A highly engaged teacher will likely have highly engaged students. Whether it’s music, drama, dance, cooking, scuba diving, or gardening, there are ways to integrate any of these topics into the curriculum.

Growing Budgets for the Arts

I will be working with and observing various teachers who specialize in integrating music and other art forms in their teaching. My hope is that budgets will grow for the arts in schools everywhere, and teachers will be encouraged and supported to bring their areas of passion into the classroom.

I look forward to sharing my discoveries with you.
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Seth Hoffman

Community Publishing will be publishing a Multimedia Book written and Illustrated by Seth Hoffman titled, Janie and the Hummingbird. Seth is a musician, artist and educator based out of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Follow his adventures here every Tuesday. 

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