Hello! My name is Mrs. Watzke and this is my new blog! I have been teaching since 2000 and have just finished my first year in the Bellevue Public Schools where I teach band to 7th and 8th graders at Mission Middle School and to 6th graders at Bertha Barber. Previously, I have taught middle school (gr 6-8) band in the Excelsior Springs School District in Excelsior Springs, MO and elementary band and strings at several elementary schools in the Shawnee Mission School District as well as high school band at Shawnee Mission East High School, also in SMSD, in Shawnee Mission, KS. I grew up in the Kansas City, MO area and attended college at Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, MO where I received my BS in Ed in 2000. In 2010, I completed my Master's in Conducting from the American Band College or Sam Houston State University. I was married in 2002 and have 2 beautiful daughters. When I'm not teaching or fulfilling my mom duties, I love to read, run, and dance.
I really enjoy technology. I think it makes all sorts of things 'come alive'. I am still trying to figure out how to integrate it in the band class room, but I'm keeping an open mind. I am not afraid to jump in to technology, however I am primarily a PC person. I recently received an iPad for Christmas and am looking forward to learning Macs in the fall!
Hi Melissa! Great 1st post! I did not know you were from KC!! My wife and I love KC!!! What a great city!
ReplyDeleteWell great job setting up your blog! It will be fun to watch this grow!
Hey Watzke! LOVE the name of your blog! You will be happy to know that I did indeed end up going to the music store for those guitar picks I was looking for at Mission. :) Casey has been teaching himself/practicing for 3 weeks now, and is LOVING guitar. I have tried to convince him to do band next year at Bertha; so far, no luck...I am going to keep trying! Do you use your iPad often? We have a Mac desktop at home, and I love Macs...wondering if I would use an iPad...maybe I should take a CCU on them! Anyway, I hope you like teaching in Bellevue. I know the Mission kids and the Bertha kids really enjoy having you as their teacher. :)
ReplyDeleteHi Melissa!
ReplyDeleteI'm in the same boat as you are-- I've always been a PC person, but I'm excited and ready to jump into the Mac world. I think it will be a good thing! You are in an interesting position being a band teacher, but no doubt there will be ways for you to incorporate technology into your lessons.
Wow you have a full teaching schedule! I am excited/nervous about going to Macs too. Isn't that iPad cool? I got one too recently!!
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