Hi! My name is Molly Raimondi. I am a K-5 general music teacher in Delray Beach, Florida. I graduated in 2016 from the University of South Florida with a degree in K-12 music education. I am a vocalist and also play guitar, ukulele, and piano.
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 humans too. Just like our readers – our authors are actively teaching in schools across the United States.
Hi! My name is Molly Raimondi. I am a K-5 general music teacher in Delray Beach, Florida. I graduated in 2016 from the University of South Florida with a degree in K-12 music education. I am a vocalist and also play guitar, ukulele, and piano. I am married to a trumpet player and fellow music teacher, and we perform jazz together! I run “Arts with Raimondi”, which is a Teachers Pay Teachers shop, Instagram blog, and social media initiative aiming to provide beginning music teachers with resources to help them excel in their careers.
How did you end up becoming a music teacher?
Honestly, I always wanted to be a teacher. My plan was to be a famous popstar by night, and an English teacher by day. I sort of ended up mixing the two together.
Did a teacher influence your decision to enter education?
My high school chorus teacher my senior year motivated me to pursue education. It was mostly how much he loved the music and how much of himself he would pour into the ensemble that made me 100% sure that I wanted to do the same for my own students.
What inspired you to share your experiences with other teachers?
So many things. The importance of being aware how all schools are different. I had no idea what I was coming into when I started at my school, and I had no one to help me navigate anything my first year. I’m in year 4 now, and I want to be able to be the voice I was personally missing my 1st year for new teachers.
What is your favorite music teaching moment?
When they “get” it. When they hit the chord. When they remember the drum beat. When they run up to you in the morning and tell you they’ve been practicing all weekend.
What has been the biggest surprise/revelation about being a music teacher?
It is SO much more than music! I also teach reading and have done math in the past. Lots of duty posts, lunch duties, etc. Remember what your job is and fight for it. Be your own biggest supporter.
How do you deal with stress?
I close my office door, make a pot of coffee, and read a book in my cozy chair. During virtual teaching this fall, I made my office a legitimate retreat, and I am eternally thankful I took the time to do that. I use it daily.
What is your favorite food?
Anything chocolatey and sweet.
Do you have any pets? Tell us about them.
I have one rescue pup named Petunia! She’s a poodle mix, and she is the most precious angel puppy. She was actually on the news and in the paper last year! Her story is all over the internet. Just Google: Petunia Raimondi.
What is your favorite style of music to listen to?
Old school hip hop and jazz.
What is your favorite school appropriate beverage – are you a cola or coffee drinker?
I actually can’t stand soda or juice! Coffee all the way- Lots of sugar and cream.
What is your favorite book?
Right now, it’s Little Fires Everywhere. I am a huge bookworm, and my favorite changes quite often.
If you could be a superhero, who would you be and why?
I would be a superhero who could magically learn the words to any song and be gig-read in an instant.
We hope you enjoyed getting to know Molly as much as we have. Make sure to check out her article – iPad Composition Activity
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