Senior Amber Garrison ready to teach

Senior clarinetist Amber Garrison tells us about when her interest in music started, how UTA has helped prepare her for teaching and about her idea of the perfect day.

Where is your hometown?
Mansfield, Texas/Longview, Texas

What is your primary instrument?
Clarinet

When is your expected graduation date?
December 2016

When did your interest in music start?
I have always had an interest in music for as long as I can remember.  Music class was my favorite part of elementary school.  Once I joined band in 6th grade, that was when my love of music blossomed to what it is today.

Why did you choose to attend UTA?
The Music faculty at UTA has such an outstanding reputation.  I had attended many All-State camps and other various UTA events throughout my schooling, so attending UTA as a student was an easy choice for me to make.

What do you enjoy most about student teaching?
My favorite thing about student teaching is that I learn something new each time I get up in front of a class to teach.  This period is all about figuring out what does and does not work for me as an educator.

What has been the most difficult aspect of student teaching?
The most difficult aspect of student teaching for me is being reactive in the middle of a lesson.  It is difficult to switch gears and know exactly what needs to be changed about a lesson when the students are not understanding a concept.

What are some of your personal and/or professional goals for the future?
My goal for the future is to be a mentor to student teachers.  My cooperating teachers have been great assets to me in every aspect possible.  I hope that one day I can do the same thing for young music educators.

Name one way that the UTA music education program has prepared you for being a teacher.
I have so many resources to use once I begin teaching.  One thing that I have noticed from observing alumni of UTA is that they use the same resources that I plan to use whenever I have my own classroom!

What was the last book you read for fun?  Did you like it?
The last book I read for fun was Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.  I loved it!

Favorite TV show(s)?
The Flash, Gilmore Girls, and Texas Rangers Baseball (yes, it counts!)

What’s your idea of the perfect day?
Any day when I get to spend time with the people who mean the most to me! (Tau Beta Sigma Sisters, my students, my family, and my boyfriend!)