A Music Mentor - Teachers Honor Teachers
- Alex Chapman, Minerva Park Middle School
Mr. John Laswell successfully started the instrumental music program at Minerva Park Middle School in Westerville, Ohio. The school is made up of students from across the city that previously attended other middle schools in the district.
“This is my first year at the secondary level teaching music. I am very grateful for Mr. Laswell’s willingness to share resources and best practices with me as I work to meet the needs of our students.”
-Alex Chapman
Mr. John Laswell has positively impacted the lives of thousands of students, including myself, during his time with Westerville City Schools. I was very fortunate to have Mr. Laswell as my high school band director at Westerville South and now as a colleague at Minerva Park Middle School. I am very grateful for the learning environment that he fostered, which allowed me to build upon my love of music and pursue a career in education.
This year, Mr. Laswell has done a phenomenal job of starting the instrumental music program at the new middle school in Westerville, Minerva Park. The school is made up of students from across the city and for many of them it is their first time performing together in band. This unique experience created an opportunity for student centered learning when selecting new concert pieces and incorporating traditions from previous buildings.
This is my first year at the secondary level teaching music. I am very grateful for Mr. Laswell’s willingness to share resources and best practices with me as I work to meet the needs of our students. One of the elements from his classroom that I have incorporated into my instruction is his system for communicating learning targets and checking for student understanding. Every day he posts the lesson objectives and the resources that students will need in class to be successful. This also includes digital resources, such as practice logs and playing tests, to help inform instruction. This information is also shared with families on a weekly basis to promote student growth on their instruments as they work towards mastery of the objectives.
At the middle school level, Mr. Laswell is responsible for starting 6th graders on their instruments. To help facilitate this process, he assembles all of the instruments on stands by the podium. This allows him to seamlessly model expectations and transition to small group or individual instruction during lessons. I am very excited for this opportunity to work with one of my most significant mentors and look forward to the great opportunities he will continue to bring to the community.
Looking forward to the continued success of the students at Minerva Park.
Teachers Honor Teachers
The Martha Holden Jennings Foundation launched a new program in fall of 2022 inviting teachers to recognize a colleague they know is doing exceptional work in the classroom.
In the above post, Alex Chapman expresses his admiration for fellow teacher, John Laswell. Thank you to both educators for your dedication to students and for taking the time to showcase what it means to deliver challenging, innovative, and student-centered lessons that result in powerful and deep learning.
Through the Teachers Honor Teachers Program, The Foundation is seeking Ohio public school teachers to share great things about a teaching colleague in an Ohio public school that ensures deep learning for students. If we choose to post your story, we will award $500 toward that teacher's classroom for their great work and $500 toward your classroom for honoring their excellence. Apply here.