Meet Jonathan Dillon, music teacher at Mountain View Elementary!
In 2016, three Alaska Arts Educator Fellowships were awarded, including a music specialist, a visual arts specialist, and a kindergarten teacher. All three were awarded to KPBSD educators!
Mr. Dillon, Mountain View Elementary music educator, furthered his study of elementary choral conducting through the Kodály Program at Seattle Pacific University in July 2016. During the program, Dillon participated in choral conducting masterclasses, performed in lab choirs directed by professional conductors, taught an elementary general music lesson, wrote a number of new learning plans, and more—all under the guidance of some of the top elementary music and conducting experts in the Pacific Northwest. Dillon used his follow-up grant to start an elementary choral music library for the Mountain View Youth Chorus, an after-school program in Kenai, Alaska.
In his final report, Dillon reflected:
“This professional development program exceeded my expectations as an opportunity to improve my craft as a conductor and artist, but also prepared me to become a better teacher in general … I’m ecstatic about putting what I’ve learned into practice!”
Links
Facebook: Mountain View Elementary, Kenai, Alaska
Website: Mountain View Elementary
Website: Alaska State Council on the Arts