Cynthia Reynolds -
Resume
Why I decided to teach....
A performing artist all my life, my experiences in opera, operetta, music
theater, and concert, as well as a relatively recent foray into nature
journaling and botanical illustration, have defined who I am, at least when
I wasn't at my "day job". Then, after almost 20 years as a computer
software developer, I realized that I wanted to make my "day job" one that
would allow me to embrace the performer and artist, as well as give back to
the world. I had always been told that I was a natural teacher, and I
believed strongly in education as a vehicle for social change, so I decided
to put my talents to use and become a teacher. As a "renaissance
woman", I believed that I had the most to offer for elementary
aged-children, so I enrolled in Jump Start - Manhattanville College's
accelerated masters degree program, and subsequently found myself as a
full-fledged teacher in a NYC public elementary school in the South Bronx,
where first I taught science, and then first grade.
During my time teaching, I discovered that while my talents in the arts
helped me to engage my students, it was while I was specifically teaching
music that I felt totally at home as an educator. So I pursued additional classroom licenses in both music and theater
(K-12) which were granted by the state. I also have Level 1
Certification in the Kodály method of music
education from NYU's Kodály Summer Institute and
completed
Orff Level 1 this summer. I
continue to practice my craft as a performer and private voice teacher, as
well as continue my studies in violin, mandolin, and both soprano and alto
recorders.
The 2009-2010 year was the turnaround year for me as a teacher.
I started by working for a wonderful non-profit,
Education Through Music, Inc.,
which placed me as the Elementary General Music Teacher in a public
elementary school in East Harlem for the fall. During the winter,
I enjoyed a maternity leave position for the Lower School Elementary
Music Teacher at the Rye Country Day School. And as spring was
hinting a return, I became the Elementary Chorus/General Music teacher
at the Bronxville School, teaching Kindergarten through Gr. 5 students.
I am so lucky to be able to spend my work hours singing and dancing and
sharing the joy of making music with children.
Classroom Teaching Photo Gallery
(Note, out of respect for students' privacy, photos containing faces
have been altered.)
Winter Concert, photo courtesy of Education Through Music, Inc.
Winter Concert Program Cover
Welcome Musicians! Top of Door
Bottom Half of Welcome Door
First Grade Inclusion Class - Writing Workshop
Edible Earth Powerpoint - Fifth grade students created a model of the earth's core using grocery store ingredients - YUM!
Fourth Grade Students cared for and observed crickets, green anoles, and earthworms. This bulletin board was created by the students.
Fifth grade students created working models of volcanos. Here one starts...
Volcano lava on the way...
Mt. Kilimanjaro in the South Bronx!
Chant I dreamed up for the door to my room:
Do Re Me Fa Sol La Ti
Music class is the place to be!
Do Ti La Sol Fa Me Re
Come on in, let's sing and play!
Winter Concert, photo courtesy of Education Through Music, Inc.
