Lorrie Heagy
"Education is the kindling of a flame, |
I am the music teacher at Glacier Valley Elementary School and Creator and Program Director of Juneau Alaska Music Matters (JAMM) The quote above by Socrates reflects my beliefs about teaching and respects the unique blend of experience, culture and interests that children already bring with them to school. It also recognizes how critical it is for teachers to create varied experiences for our students. Exposure to a new idea or approach just may be the "flame" or motivation needed for a child to be excited about learning and take them one step closer to finding out who they are and how they can put their unique mark on it, as well as on their world. For these reasons, I integrate several music practices into the classroom including place-based learning, world drumming, El Sistema-inspired strings program, Musical Futures, Kodaly, Orff-Schulwerk, music technology, songwriting and movement and dance.
I have over 25 years of teaching experience as an elementary classroom, librarian and music teacher and love living in Juneau and working alongside this Glacier Valley community. In 2011 I was honored to represent Alaskaʼs teachers as the Alaska Teacher of the Year. One of my most challenging accomplishments was completing a PHD in Education with a concentration in Learning, Instruction and Innovation from Walden University while working full-time and teaching in JAMMʼs afterschool program, but after six years of weekend and summer work I did it! I love traveling, learning and walking with friends. In 2018 I was awarded an honorary doctorate in education from the University of Alaska Southeast and received a Fulbright Distinguished Award in Teaching to study in the UK in 2019.
I have over 25 years of teaching experience as an elementary classroom, librarian and music teacher and love living in Juneau and working alongside this Glacier Valley community. In 2011 I was honored to represent Alaskaʼs teachers as the Alaska Teacher of the Year. One of my most challenging accomplishments was completing a PHD in Education with a concentration in Learning, Instruction and Innovation from Walden University while working full-time and teaching in JAMMʼs afterschool program, but after six years of weekend and summer work I did it! I love traveling, learning and walking with friends. In 2018 I was awarded an honorary doctorate in education from the University of Alaska Southeast and received a Fulbright Distinguished Award in Teaching to study in the UK in 2019.