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In this episode, Bryson sits down with Carrie Nicholas and Tanya LeJeune from Music Teacher Coffee Talk to explore the magic of double duty songs, those special tunes that can support teaching multiple musical concepts over time. They talk about why these songs are such a lifesaver when time is tight and share thoughtful tips on keeping your students excited and engaged with music they already know. Plus, Carrie and Tanya give us a sneak peek at their upcoming masterclass inside Elementary Music Edge™, packed with fresh ideas to inspire your teaching.

Episode Chapters:

• 0:00 Introduction
• 1:09 What is a “Double Duty” Song?
• 3:09 Benefits of using double-duty songs
• 7:37 Common misconceptions about double-duty songs
• 11:46 Favorite double-duty songs
• 25:16 Masterclass preview
• 27:19 Takeaways
  
  

Links and Resources:

• The Elementary Music Summit®
• Elementary Newbie Guide
• Disabilities Guide
• Steady Beat Survival Guide
• Join Elementary Music EDGE™

Have questions or want to share feedback? Reach out to us at hello@thatmusicteacher.com - we’d love to hear from you!

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In this episode of That Music Podcast, Bryson dives into a challenging topic many music teachers face: those familiar songs that might actually have a questionable past. He explores why it’s important to reconsider what we include in our classrooms and offers thoughtful ways to identify and replace songs that don’t align with creating safe, inclusive spaces for all students. If you’ve ever wondered how to handle the songs you’ve “always used,” this episode provides practical insight and encouragement to take those next steps thoughtfully.

Episode Chapters:

• 0:00 Introduction
• 1:59 Why every student deserves a safe and inclusive classroom
• 2:26 Songs with a Questionable Past
• 6:38 Respectful replacement song ideas
• 9:39 How to check songs for cultural sensitivity and suitability
• 11:35 Takeaways

Links and Resources:

• The Elementary Music Summit®
• Elementary Newbie Guide
• Disabilities Guide
• Steady Beat Survival Guide
• Join Elementary Music EDGE™
• Songs with a Questionable Past Document

Have questions or want to share feedback? Reach out to us at hello@thatmusicteacher.com - we’d love to hear from you!

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In this episode of That Music Podcast, Bryson tackles a tough but essential topic: how to include music and cultural activities that aren’t from our own backgrounds in a way that’s authentic and respectful. He shares practical advice on research, avoiding stereotypes, and when—and how—to adapt materials for the classroom. If you’ve ever wondered how to bring diverse music into your teaching without missteps, this episode offers thoughtful guidance and encouragement to get started thoughtfully.

Episode Chapters:

• 0:00 Introduction
• 1:47 What does authentic inclusion look like?
• 5:18 Why authentic representation benefits students and communities
• 9:05 Understanding Adaptation vs. Appropriation
• 11:13 Navigating mistakes and learning moments
• 12:05 Takeaways

Links and Resources:

• The Elementary Music Summit®
• Elementary Newbie Guide
• Disabilities Guide
• Steady Beat Survival Guide
• Join Elementary Music EDGE™

Have questions or want to share feedback? Reach out to us at hello@thatmusicteacher.com - we’d love to hear from you!

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In this episode of That Music Podcast, Bryson sits down with Melissa Fuller Flores to chat about celebrating Filipino American History Month in the elementary music classroom. Melissa opens up about her personal ties to the Filipino community and how music plays such a special role in Filipino culture. Together, they dive into fun, hands-on ideas you can bring to your classroom, think clapping games, folk songs, and partner-picking activities, all while keeping cultural respect front and center. Melissa also gives a sneak peek of her upcoming masterclass inside Elementary Music EDGE™, featuring Filipino folk dances and a timeline of important Filipino American musicians. This episode is all about making your classroom more inclusive and showing how music can be a powerful tool for connection and understanding.

Episode Chapters:

• 0:00 Introduction
• 8:26 Celebrating cultural months with intention
• 16:16 Hands-on ideas for Filipino-American History Month
• 29:22 What to expect in Melissa’s upcoming masterclass
• 34:22 Takeaways

Links and Resources:

• Melissa's Resources
• The Elementary Music Summit®
• Elementary Newbie Guide
• Disabilities Guide
• Steady Beat Survival Guide
• Join Elementary Music EDGE™

Have questions or want to share feedback? Reach out to us at hello@thatmusicteacher.com - we’d love to hear from you!

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Learning student names isn’t just a classroom management strategy; it’s a powerful way to build trust, connection, and community from day one. In this episode, Bryson shares five practical, low-stress ways to confidently learn student names, even when teaching hundreds of kids each week. It’s all about starting strong and showing students they matter, one name at a time.

Episode Chapters:

• 0:00 Introduction
• 2:34 Seating Chart with Pictures
• 4:16 Name Tags
• 5:58 Name Games
• 7:58 Direct Name-Learning Activities
• 9:00 Use their name whenever possible
• 9:55 Takeaways

Links and Resources:

• The Elementary Music Summit®
• Elementary Newbie Guide
• Disabilities Guide
• Steady Beat Survival Guide
• Join Elementary Music EDGE™
• Download Idoceo

Have questions or want to share feedback? Reach out to us at hello@thatmusicteacher.com - we’d love to hear from you!

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Season 7 kicks off with a fresh invitation to pause, reflect, and set meaningful intentions for the school year ahead. In this episode of That Music Podcast, Bryson shares six thoughtful reflection prompts designed to help music teachers process last year’s highs and lows, from student breakthroughs to classroom challenges and personal wellbeing.

Listeners will walk away with actionable ways to build on their successes, learn from missteps, and bring more joy and intention into their teaching. Whether tuning in during a commute or a planning break, this episode offers a grounded, encouraging start to a new season of teaching.

Episode Chapters:

• 0:00 Introduction
• 2:02 A student moment that stuck with you (and why)
• 3:09 Reflecting on a teaching challenge and what it taught you
• 4:06 Where your students grew, and how you helped
• 4:25 What gave you energy last year? What drained you?
• 5:54 Non-teaching routines that helped you feel renewed
• 6:46 Your one word or phrase for the school year
• 7:34 Why this kind of reflection matters
• 8:30 Takeaways

Links and Resources:

• The Elementary Music Summit®
• Elementary Newbie Guide
• Disabilities Guide
• Steady Beat Survival Guide
• Join Elementary Music EDGE™

Have questions or want to share feedback? Reach out to us at hello@thatmusicteacher.com - we’d love to hear from you!

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In this season finale of That Music Podcast, Bryson reflects on the journey of the show from its early days to now, sharing his excitement for what’s ahead in Season 7. He highlights how the podcast has grown alongside his transition out of the classroom and how the addition of YouTube has opened new ways to connect. Bryson thanks listeners for their support and feedback this season, inviting the community to share ideas, guest suggestions, and topics they want explored in the upcoming season. Whether you’re a longtime listener or new to the show, this episode offers a heartfelt wrap-up and a look forward to continuing the conversation about transforming elementary music education.

Episode Chapters:

• 0:00 Introduction
• 2:21 Reflecting on the Podcast’s Growth and Impact

Links and Resources:

• Elementary Newbie Guide
• Disabilities Guide
• Steady Beat Survival Guide
• Join That Music Teacher Community
• The Elementary Music Summit®

Have questions or want to share feedback? Reach out to us at hello@thatmusicteacher.com - we’d love to hear from you!

Have questions or want to share feedback? Reach out to us at hello@thatmusicteacher.com - we’d love to hear from you!

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The Elementary Music Summit® is back for its fourth summer, offering five days of content-specific professional development tailored for elementary music teachers. Bryson shares all the exciting details about this year’s event, happening July 7–11, including 28 expert speakers, live sessions with 24-hour replay access, and new features. Whether you attend for free or upgrade to the All Access Pass, the Summit provides practical, accessible ideas to help you create engaging, joyful, and balanced music classrooms. Tune in to discover why this Summit is Bryson’s favorite event of the year and how it can support your growth as an elementary music educator.

Episode Chapters:

• 0:00 Introduction
• 1:51 What to Expect This Year
• 3:32 How the Summit Grew — And Why It Matters to You

Links and Resources:

• Elementary Newbie Guide
• Disabilities Guide
• Steady Beat Survival Guide
• Join That Music Teacher Community
• The Elementary Music Summit®

Have questions or want to share feedback? Reach out to us at hello@thatmusicteacher.com - we’d love to hear from you!

Have questions or want to share feedback? Reach out to us at hello@thatmusicteacher.com - we’d love to hear from you!