About David

Let me Introduce Myself

David Row

Hi, I'm David. I love teaching music to kids and am now completing my 9th full year as an educator in public schools. I grew up on the great plains of Nebraska and am a Midwesterner at heart. In 2008 I graduated from Greenville College (IL) where I received a Bachelor’s degree in vocal performance and worship arts. I then went on to pursue a Master’s degree in choral conducting and music education at the University of Missouri – Kansas City. I completed three levels and a master class of Orff Schulwerk training and am now officially an Orff Certified teacher. I was recently accepted into an apprenticeship program and will complete traning this summer so that I can officially teach other educators in Orff Schulwerk. I currently teach grades K-5 at Woodstock Elementary School in the Cherokee County School District (GA).

I love to meet and talk with other music educators and learn about the challenges and opportunities that our community faces on a daily basis. I am an active clinician and have presented sessions at over 10 state and regional music education conventions including Texas, Kansas, Missouri, Michigan, Saskatchewan, and North Carolina. I've also written articles for national music education publications including "Teaching with Orff" and the American Choral Directors Association. I'm active with music education organizations as I serve on the board of the Atlanta Orff Chapter, am past-president of the Mid-Michigan Orff Schulwerk Association, and am an active member of the American Orff Schulwerk Association. When not teaching, running through parks or trails, or walking my basset hounds (Lucy & Millie), I can be found blogging about music education topics at MakeMomentsMatter.org

Education

Greenville College - Degree Awarded May 2008
Bachelor of Arts in Music: Vocal Performance, Honors Program Distinction, cum laude.
Studied abroad at Australia Studies Center Fall 2006

The University of Missouri - Kansas City - Degree Awarded May 2011
Master of Arts in Choral Conducting and Music Education
NCATE Accredited K-12 Vocal Music Certification

The University of Kansas - Post-degree study 2012-2014
Strategic Thinking in the Arts (STArts) coursework
Served as Graduate Teaching Assistant 2013-2014

Baker University - KS - Post-degree study 2013-2015
Orff Level I, II, and III coursework. Orff Teacher Certification.
Master Level Certification Summer 2017 with Chris Judah-Lauder

TEaching Experience

Woodstock Elementary School, Cherokee County School District, Fall 2017-Present

General music education for 1,200 students ranging from Kindergarten to 5th grade.
Presented concerts for all grade levels and took the 5th grade chorus on a holiday tour through the city of Woodstock
Won a grant for a class set of ukuleles to be used in daily instruction. Started the WES after-school Ukulele Ensemble.
Shared with CCSD Colleagues at Elementary Music PD events and collaborated with other teachers in my high school zone through monthly PLC meetings.
Served on the WES Social Committee and Garden Committee

Vera Ralya Elementary School, Haslett Public Schools

General music education for 500 students ranging from 1st Grade to 5th grade.
Served on the Behavior Committee and Haslett Music Curriculum Team
Taught 1st Grade Music at Wilkshire Early Childhood Center

Frances Willard Elementary, Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools

General music education for 500 students ranging from Kindergarten to 5th grade.
Cooperating teacher for Joe Presson, student teacher, from the University of Missouri –Kansas City, 2014-2015
Served on the FWE Leadership Committee
FWE Student Council Faculty Advisor
Proposed and Chaired the FWE school improvement committee - 2012-2014

Kansas City Children’s Chorus, Assistant Director, University of Missouri –Kansas City Academy 2009-2011

Conducted various pieces with the large choir weekly
Taught lessons on music literacy to 2nd-5th grade students in the choir
Mentored and advised music interns and coordinated off-campus activities

Certification

Kansas State Certification
Professional License - Previously Held
In the process of reapplying.

Georgia State Certification
Professional License - Issued 07/2017

Michigan State Certification
Professional License - Issued 05/2015

I've begun the process for National Board Certification. First time certification is a multi-year process. I expect to have certification by the end of the 2022-2023 school year.

PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES

Co-authored a revision of the Haslett Public Schools Elementary Music Curriculum, 2016-2017
Member of 8-person curriculum revision committee for the Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools elementary music district-wide curriculum. Authored nearly 100 rubrics for pacing guide. 2015

Frances Willard Elementary website co-webmaster and designer 2011-2015
Assisted on a special 8 member council to plan Kansas City, Kansas District Convocation activities. Council was chaired by the Superintendent and her cabinet members, 2014.
Served on a 12-member committee to advise the KCK Communication Department on the district’s public website and intranet’s content and design, 2014-15.

Co-chair of the Social Media Subcommittee for the American Orff Schulwerk Association - in charge of all of the social media accounts for our professional organization.
Presented through the Professional Learning Network (PLN) on classroom routines, procedures, and logistics

Student PErformances

Prepared students groups for performance with the Kansas City Lyric Opera Express. Prepared students groups for performance with the “Jellybean Conspiracy, a Theater of Kindness” which teaches children about autism through musical theater.
Prepared students for performances with the Kansas City Lyrics Opera "Express." Students performed alongside professional opera singers school-wide performances. 2011, 2012, and 2014.
Students performed for the Kansas City, Kansas school board and on a separate occasion for the KCKPS Superintendent's luncheon.

Education in Community

Make Moments Matter – Music Education Blog, 2014-present
Authored and published ideas about classroom content, management, classroom decoration, critical thinking, and more. Fully responsible for content creation and editing on the blog. Shared weekly LIVE videos where I shared lesson ideas, classroom management ideas, and teaching tips.
www.MakeMomentsMatter.org

Royal Family Kids’ Camp – Counselor/Staff, 2003-2014

Acted as counselor, activities director, pianist, and storyteller for RFKC, a camp for abused and neglected children ages 6-12. Worked directly with children who have ADHD, behavioral and emotional disorders, mental or physical disabilities, are on the autism spectrum, and have other high-risk needs.

Strategic Thinking in the Arts (STArts) – Graduate Assistant University of Kansas, 2013-2014
Served as graduate teaching assistant and course mentor for this class on critical thinking skills in the arts. Taught group lessons, facilitated discussions, researched, and presented sample lessons for participants. The class was comprised of 30-40 veteran teachers who were seeking to integrate more critical thinking skills into their teaching.