Teacher Feature: Wanda Vásquez Garcia

• Wanda Vásquez Garcia
• Posted 2/14/22
• 0 comments

Get to know our authors. In our  ”Teacher Feature,”  you will not only learn about our contributors’ professional endeavors but also get to know them as  humans  too.  Just like our readers – our authors are actively teaching in schools across the United States. 

Wanda Vásquez Garcia is a general music educator, choir director, advocate and clinician. A native of the Dominican Republic currently living in Colorado, she holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from the Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo – the first university on the American continent, and a Master’s Degree in Music Education with an emphasis on choral music from the University of Northern Colorado.  She is also a Chorister Guild Institute Alumn.  

Currently, Wanda is the general music teacher at the Escuela Bilingüe Pioneer in Lafayette, Colorado, an assistant instructor for the Colorado Children’s Chorale, and a Co-Coordinator Choral Database for the Institute of Composer Diversity. As a K-5 music educator, she believes music is a very effective way to create connections and build bridges promoting the uniqueness of each individual in the classroom.  

Wanda is passionate about the importance of increasing diversity and representation in music education, in ways that are culturally responsive, fun, meaningful, and inclusive in order to embrace each other with respect, tolerance, and a sense of belonging. She has presented clinics and reading sessions promoting multicultural music, culturally responsive teaching, and music technology in the elementary classroom at Colorado ACDA, CMEA, NAfME Easter Division, and Little Kids Rock Modern Band Summit.  

Some interesting facts we learned about Wanda… 

How did you end up becoming a music teacher?

At age 13, I was offered the opportunity to assist a teacher at the government elementary music school in my country, the Dominican Republic, while I was still a student there. The school paid me a small stipend to help me cover my transportation expenses. I knew then that this is what I wanted to do. 

Did a teacher influence your decision to enter education?  

Two teachers influenced my decision. I choose this profession to be the opposite of my piano instructors early in my school and because of the one that encouraged me to try my best and not to try to be someone else.  

What inspires you to share your experiences with other teachers? 

I believe my life experiences are more common than people might think and are often marginalized or dismissed entirely. I am happy to provide a different perspective about the challenges that we are all facing in our classroom. I hope my fellow teachers find value in learning about my experience in the classroom. I want to open a window into what we do very successfully in my highly diverse classroom so my colleagues can better relate to students that might look the ones I serve and/or like me. My students feel seen and valued and I wish all students get to experience that.  

What is your favorite music teaching moment? 

When I catch my students singing a song or playing a game that we learned in class and when they share what they listened on their personal time with me.  

What has been the biggest surprise/revelation about being a music teacher? 

My biggest revelation was how much I needed to learn about myself in order to be a better facilitator to my students.  

How do you deal with stress? 

First, I try to stay organized and tackle each task as and when it comes. I noticed that when I fight the procrastination urge I feel better about myself and what I am doing.  

Second and most importantly, I only take on tasks outside my work that brings me joy or offer a learning opportunity.  

Fun Facts About You?

What is your favorite food?

Shrimp Mofongo, a Dominican traditional dish. I know Puerto Ricans claim it as theirs as well.  

Do you have any pets? Tell us about them.

We have a cat named Ashton, because of his ashy color. He is the definition of a scary cat – anyone that visits my house considers him an elusive inhabitant of our home as he never lets anyone see him. We also have a dog named Bentley, he is adorable and super lovable. They are both rescues and we feel so happy they choose us to be their humans.  

What is your favorite style of music to listen to?

I am not partial to any style of music. I love discovering new artists and getting to enjoy all styles of music. My favorite thing to do is to put my phone play my library on shuffle and see how surprised can I be. I also enjoy my Friday getting-out-of-school playlist and Lizzo is in it.  

What is your favorite school appropriate beverage – are you a cola or coffee drinker?

I LOVE COFFEE! Coffee is a social experience in my culture. Coffee time is time for camaraderie and conversation.  

What is your favorite book?

This is a tricky question because I enjoy reading many styles. Neruda’s 100 Love sonnets, Allende’s The House of the Spirits, Trevor Noah’s Born a Crime, Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu’s Book of Joy, and I am currently reading Angela Davis’ Freedom is a Constant Struggle. 

If you could be a superhero, who would you be and why?

If I could choose a superpower I would pick to be a healer.  

We hope you’ve enjoyed getting to know Wanda! Check out her Music ConstructED articles below.