Author Spotlight
Sophia Brockmeier
Kansas State University senior and music education major Daniel Smith will student teach the band — conducting, leading and organizing class — until the end of the second semester. While Smith hopes this semester is filled with newfound student relationships and a better understanding of the education field, he shares his plans for what the future might hold.
Why did you want to get a music education major?
“Around the end of middle school, and in the beginning of high school, I was bullied a lot, and one of my escapes was the band room. Practicing, learning other instruments, talking to my band director, making friends. It led me to be like, ‘I want to make this a part of my everyday life from then on. I want to be able to give that sort of environment and chance for the kids who are like me and need a place to go.’ Music education is kind of the perfect blend of getting to play music and teach music all my life, but then I also get to provide a safe space for the students to discover their talents and what they want to do.”
How long have you been in a band?
“I started a band in fifth grade on trombone, and I’ve been in band for 12 years. It’s only going to keep going from there.”
What’s your favorite part about teaching so far?
“So far, it’s the student and teacher relationships, the bonds and seeing the process that the students take to get better, [which] motivates me to do the same thing. If they’re getting better at what they’re doing, then I need to get better at my teaching.”
Where will you go after East?
“I don’t know yet, and that’s the scary part about graduating college and finding a job. If I don’t stay in the area, [I want to go] up to Nebraska or Colorado.”
What do you hope to get out of the experience?
“I want to learn a lot of things that college doesn’t teach you. And things you don’t learn until you’re thrown into the school environment. [I also] want to learn what my strengths and weaknesses are.”
What do you want your students to know about you?
“I’m very approachable. If you come and have a conversation with me, I’ll have a conversation with you. I like building those relationships with students and I don’t want to be that standoffish guy in the corner. Come talk to me. I’m a cool person. I hope to at least think I’m cool. And then also, I do really love music and I love this art.”
What was the name of your high school mascot, and who would win in a fight: a Lancer or your mascot?
“We were the Wildcats in highschool, and I don’t know [which mascot would win] because I’m still a Wildcat at K-State so I feel like I have to say, ‘Go Cats.’ But also a Lancer is like a knight with a sword and armor. It’s kind of hard to answer that but I think I got to stick with my K-State roots and say ‘Go Cats.’ A Wildcat would win.”
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