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Michele L. Dillon 411 Chase Ave. #785 Gambier, Ohio 43022 Cellular: 740-398-4396 · E-Mail: micheledillon7@yahoo.com |
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Elementary Music Educator · Junior High/Middle School Music Educator Career history blends music education success in direct teaching and consulting roles … Recognized by colleagues and students for creating positive learning environments and consistently given challenging teaching assignments … Plays fundamental role in enhancing student pride and sense of community … Adaptable and committed; able to communicate and positively affect diverse student populations from all socio-economic backgrounds. |
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Areas of Strength & Expertise |
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Engaging Lesson Plans · Classroom Management · Music Programming Planning and Setup Music Interpretation · Conducive Learning Environments · Music Education Strategies · Conducting Special Needs Student Curricula · Visual, Aural, Kinesthetic and Tactile Learning · Parent Motivation Musical Instruments · Choral Techniques/Vocal Health Habits · Abstract Musical Ideas · Music History Choir/Band/Orchestra Concert Preparation · Fundraising Events · Age-appropriate Music/Music Classes Classroom Organization/Decoration · Long-term Goal Development · Verbal/Non-verbal Discipline Techniques Research · Educational Resources · Financial Resources |
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Professional Experience |
Music Therapeutics … Columbus , Ohio 1987 to 2009
C.E.O./Founder
Develop and deliver individual piano (beginner-intermediate), voice (beginner-professional) and brass instrument (beginner-professional) lessons to wide array of students; practice serves 30 typical students and 10 special needs students simultaneously. Administer operations including advertising, fees and tuition, and policies/procedures; create and distribute pricing and policy packets.
Evaluate student needs (through mental and physical analysis), choose both traditional and progressive instructional resources, and customize lesson plans and teaching style based on student learning; collaborate with parents, teachers, and health care providers to ensure optimized lesson plan adjustments. Coordinate and lead students through recitals at area nursing homes and hospitals.
· Utilize motivational and enthusiastic teaching style complimented with positive reinforcement to facilitate student progression; facilitate student success with well-designed, realistic lesson plans and achievable goals.
· Teaching proficiency evident as students regularly increase academic skills after 4-6 weeks of musical training; students improved handwriting, higher math scores, spelling skills and reading comprehension as well as physical coordination and motor skills.
· Developed special needs programs incorporated into physical, occupational, psychiatric, psychological or medical therapies; work effectively with teachers to assist students diagnosed with ADHD/ADD, Autism, cerebral palsy, Downs ’ Syndrome, hearing impairments, stroke rehabilitation, traumatic brain injury, learning disabilities, blindness, epilepsy, sensory integration and mental challenges.
· Introduced teaching philosophy (participating in musical activities could experience new brain cell growth) to local area; influence physicians and educators to increase use of music therapy/specialized music education as educators proved method scientifically internationally.
· Facilitated special needs student development by locating and securing county/state funding pay for services; played fundamental role in deaf student securing financial assistance from insurance company for $22,000 cochlear ear implant (assisted with documentation needed for 3rd attempt as 2 previous attempts failed) and enabled student to explore and enjoy music for first time.
· Creatively utilize basketball, twister, volleyball, stuffed animals, painting/drawing, blowing bubbles and computer games to enhance learning process as well as increase student physical involvement; also introduced new music games through Internet/computer teaching music theory, music history, instruments of orchestra, composition of musical songs, ear training and different genres of music.
· Employ teaching methods including Tomatis method (electronically modified music to achieve non-musical goals) and Kodaly philosophy (believes every person has right to high level of music education early in life and everyone has ability to sing, dance or play music).
Hilliard City School District … Hilliard , Ohio September 1995 to June 1996
Substitute
Operated on-call and circulated all grades and subjects to assist with student oversight and curricula; classroom environment included 20-30 students (including and physically handicapped and mentally challenged) with choir and band classes up to 100 students.
· Demonstrated flexibility and organization to effectively teach diverse subjects and students; developed relationships with students to minimize discipline issues and increased classroom energy to capture and maintain student interest.
· Utilized available lesson plans to teach wide array of subjects; also used resourcefulness in development of relevant teaching material (consistent with student notes) to quickly overcome lack of lesson plan availability.
Lancaster City Schools … Lancaster Ohio 1987 to 1990
General Music Teacher and Choir Director
Oversaw and directed elementary and junior high school-aged students (K-8th grade) through courses covering general music, music theory, music history, and music reading skills; in 2 different schools, taught 3 classes consisting of 25 7th grade students as well as 25 general music students grades K-5, mixed choir containing 25 8th graders and 15 8th grade girls for girl’s glee choir. Developed lesson plans outlining weekly, monthly and yearly goals for principal approval.
· Enabled student learning through development of inviting and encouraging environment facilitating student participation; dressed as musical characters/historical figures, brought in music colleagues and utilized movies, games, singing, instrument playing, and dancing to music to generate classroom energy.
· First teacher in district to mainstream learning and physically disabled children into music classroom; placed majority of students in choirs and musicals, choreographed age-appropriate and engaging songs, delegated roles based on strengths, and prepared students thoroughly to ensure knowledgeable and enjoyable experience.
· Maximized student learning through diverse selection of material used in general music and choral classes; also used school system materials while augmenting course curricula with own private resources (12-week course teaching history of Rock and Roll).
· Strategically recruited students and increased choir membership 125% in just 3 years.
· Orchestrated and choreographed Christmas concerts (K-8), Spring concerts (K-8), Spring musicals (7th and 8th grade choirs) as well as performances in River Valley Mall; local performances fostered goodwill toward administration and school district.
· Campaigned and successfully acquired funding for student choir robes; robes elevated school pride and student morale when performing for audiences.
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Education |
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Capital University … Columbus Ohio Masters of Music, 2007 |
Ohio State University … Columbus , Ohio Bachelors of Music Education, 1987 |
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Morehead State University … Morehead , Kentucky Music Education (Full scholarship on French Horn) 1984 |
Otterbein College … Westerville , Ohio Audit Student of Marching Band and Concert Band |
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Professional Associations |
National Association for Music Education
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Recognition |
Honorary member of Strathmore’s “Who’s Who” in America
Honored for Work in Field of Music Therapy/Specialized Music Education
Volunteer Instructor and Marching Assistant for the Ohio State School for the Blind Marching Band
The Nation’s only blind marching band just successfully participated in the 2010 Tournament of Roses