Teacher Feature: Amy Burns

• Amy Burns
• Posted 1/12/21
• 0 comments

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

Amy M Burns has taught elementary general music for over 20 years at Far Hills Country Day School, a preschool through grade eight school in NJ. Amy earned her Bachelor’s of Music Education and Performance from Ithaca College and her Master’s of Science in Music Education from Central Connecticut State University. She holds certifications and levels in numerous music approaches. She has written many articles and given several keynote addresses on the topic of technology integration in the elementary general music classroom. She has authored four books on the subject, with her current one titled Using Technology with Elementary Music Approaches was just published by Oxford University Press. She is the recipient of the TI:ME Teacher of the Year, NJ Masters Music Teacher, NJ Governors Leadership in the Arts, and NJ Non-Public Teacher of the Year Awards. She resides in NJ and is the proud mom of two girls.   

Some other interesting facts we learned about Amy…   

How did you end up becoming a music teacher?  

I have to say that my church played a big part. Music was my safe haven in school. Where other subjects were challenging and made me feel defeated, music made me feel safe, happy, and secure. Throughout high school, my church encouraged me to perform weekly preludes. In addition, they inspired me to teach Sunday School to preschoolers. I loved this so much that I knew I wanted to be a music educator and went on to major in this at Ithaca College.  

Did a teacher influence your decision to enter education?  

Besides church, I had a wonderful high school music teacher that inspired me to be the best at music as I could be. I regret never thanking him in person for his inspiration. 

What inspires you to share your experiences with other teachers? 

Music educators can be very isolated. There are many schools that have only one music educator. We need to help, encourage, and support each other, especially at this moment in time. 

What is your favorite music teaching moment?  

One moment? That’s a tough one. I would have to say that moment when you see a student light up because music made them smile or they just had their musical “aha” moment. Those moments live with me forever. 

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

No time to ever get to the bathroom and how your body adapts to that. 

How do you deal with stress?  

Finally being able to go to the bathroom. No seriously, taking a deep breath and then asking my daughters how their day went. My daughters help me daily and remind me about all of the good in my life.  

Fun Facts About You

What is your favorite food?  

Gluten free pumpkin spice cookies that my daughter Mikayla bakes for me. 

Do you have any pets?  Tell us about them.  

No pets.  

What is your favorite style of music to listen to?  

All styles  

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

Coffee. 

What is your favorite book?  

Right now, my youngest daughter and I are finishing up the Genius Files and the Diary of the Wimpy Kid series and we loved reading them together.  

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

Wonder Woman because I admired her greatly when I was young. I looked at her and I thought to myself that I could grow up to be a strong woman like her.