Teacher Feature: Kristen Papillo

• Kristen Burgner
• Posted 4/8/21
• 0 comments

Get to know our authors.  In our ”Teacher Feature,” you will not only learn about our authors’ 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 .

Kristen Rose Papillo is a music educator on Long Island, New York for the past four years. She has worked with students from K-8 in general music, band, and chorus. Her Masters of Arts in Teaching for Music Education and Bachelors of Music was completed at Manhattanville College in Purchase, NY. She has certification in Orff level 1, First Steps in Music, and World Music Drumming Level 1. She is a board member for the local Orff chapter and chairperson for county festivals. Some of her interests aside from music include yoga, coffee, dancing, and arts and crafts.  

Some other interesting facts we learned about Kristen …    

How did you end up becoming a music teacher? 

My mother has been an elementary teacher for the past 30 years, so from a young age, I was exposed to the careers and what it takes to be a successful teacher. I spent a lot of my childhood laminating, copying, cutting, and grading papers … mostly because I loved the tasks and asked my mom how I could help all the time. That combined with my love of music from the very moment I picked up the clarinet, the career path became a no-brainer. 

Did a teacher influence your decision to enter education? 

A few of my high music teachers had a positive effect on my decision to enter music education. They always gave a sense of family and connection in their classroom that didn’t exist anywhere else. There was so much time that was spent in the music hallway for musical productions, wind ensemble, Tri-M, band, orchestra and chorus that I started using a practice room as a locker. This showed me that a music classroom is where I belong. 

What inspires you to share your experiences with other teachers? 

Sometimes in education, especially in the music speciality it can feel like we are on an island. Most of our connections during the day are with students, which is great but leaves little time to discuss curriculum, successes and struggles and just talk about the day to day of being a music teacher. It’s important that we utilize communities like ConstructED to stay in touch with other educators. 

What is your favorite music teaching moment? 

There was once for a leave replacement I directed a 6th grade band of 125 students total. The class during the school days were split with half the band playing on A day and the other half playing on B day. There were only two rehearsals when they were all together and most of that time was spent on them finding their seat on stage. On the night of the concert, I conducted the 125 piece middle school band (4 days into taking medicine for pneumonia mind you) in front of the whole community. It was a true success and surprise how well the group sounded, the joy in their eyes and the energy that came from within me to push through not feeling well. 

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

How much of being a music teacher has nothing to do with music. There are extensive amounts of paperwork, e-mails, grading, and meetings that are mainly focused on the daily functioning of the school both academically and systematically. I’ve taken these other tasks as an opportunity to expand my knowledge of the school system on a larger scale outside of the music classroom. 

How do you deal with stress? 

Depending on the level and type of stress some of the go-to’s are Circuit art projects, coloring, board games, Nintendo Switch games, and meditation. 

Fun Facts about Kristen  

What is your favorite food? 

Desserts! I know that is a category of food, but I honestly can’t narrow down the dessert category. Do I choose cheesecake for its fluffy texture and graham cracker crust?  Chocolate chip cookies for being the perfect combination of gooeyness and crunch? Or a warm apple pie for the sweetness? You can see my struggle with this. 

Do you have any pets? Tell us about them 

No pets of my own right now. Though I do have a fur brother (mom’s dog) named Brookie who is an 8lb Yorkie poo. Whom I was responsible for scooping him up at his adoption event. My mother-in-law also has the cutest 5lb short-haired Yorkie that has been a part of my life for 10 years. 

What is your favorite style of music to listen to? 

Alternative and Indie Rock. Basically, anything with an upbeat tempo and depressing lyrics will do the trick 9/10. 

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

Coffee coffee and more coffee. I’ll have a black hot coffee in the morning (at least 16oz), possibly an iced coffee in between schools, and most definitely an afternoon coffee (before 5 pm or it’s a migraine night for me). 

What is your favorite book? 

I truly enjoyed reading many genres of books. One that has stuck out to me is ‘The Glass Castle’ by Jeanette Walls. It’s a memoir that is beautifully written with no expense of detail about her difficult childhood that leaves you crying, smiling, and laughing all at once. 

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

I would love to be Black Widow from the Marvel comic series. She relies on her combat and strength as a woman to protect and save others. 

We hope you enjoyed getting to know Kristen as much as we have! Check out her Music ConstructED articles below.