We are elementary music teachers who love to share songs, activities, lessons, and ideas for the music room.
Carrie Nicholas and Tanya LeJeune
Listeners of Music Teacher Coffee Talk that love the show mention: music teachers, elementary music teacher, teacher friends, tanya, coffee talk, carrie, ly, well planned, 16 years, highs and lows, classroom, district, professional development, please fix, grade, new ideas, great ideas, show notes, thank you ladies, transition.
The Music Teacher Coffee Talk podcast is a fantastic resource for music teachers looking for fresh ideas and inspiration. As a long-time music teacher, I was feeling stuck in a rut and this podcast came to my rescue. After listening to a dozen or so episodes, I have already compiled a long list of songs, resources, and other ideas that I am excited to use in my upcoming lessons.
One of the best aspects of this podcast is the practicality of the ideas shared. The hosts, Tanya and Carrie, are both Kodaly music teachers and they provide practical ideas that can be easily implemented in any music classroom. They also share their own experiences and offer tips on how to be a more culturally responsive music teacher, which is invaluable in today's diverse classrooms. The different sections of the podcast flow seamlessly together, making it easy to follow along and take away actionable ideas from each episode. Additionally, the show notes are detailed and provide additional information on topics discussed in the episode.
As for the worst aspects of this podcast, it's difficult to find any major flaws. However, one minor downside could be the lack of variety in guest speakers. While Tanya and Carrie do an excellent job sharing their expertise, it would be interesting to hear from other experts or experienced music teachers as well.
In conclusion, I highly recommend the Music Teacher Coffee Talk podcast for all music teachers seeking professional development and inspiration. Whether you're new to teaching or have been in the field for years like myself, there is always something valuable to take away from each episode. The hosts' passion for teaching shines through their discussions and listening to them feels like being part of a supportive team. Overall, this podcast has reinvigorated my love for teaching music and has provided me with countless ideas that I am excited to implement in my classroom.
Tanya and Carrie discuss Part 1 of "Music as a Vehicle" by Ashley Cuthbertson as part of the 2025 Music Teacher Coffee Talk summer book club.
Tanya and Carrie discuss the importance of summer learning and their plans for professional development over the summer.
MTCT #178: Continuation Songs by Carrie Nicholas and Tanya LeJeune
MTCT #177: Outside Singing Games, Part 2 by Carrie Nicholas and Tanya LeJeune
Tanya and Carrie talk about strategies and lesson ideas that help when managing Spring Fever behavior challenges in the music room.
Carrie and Tanya talk about their takeaways and favorite moments from the 2025 Organization of American Kodály Educators (OAKE) national conference that was held in Chicago in March, 2025.
Carrie and Tanya talk about recent grade-level performances they've led at their schools.
Carrie and Tanya share some ideas and tips for when you need to leave sub plans in the music room.
This episode is a replay from live a Facebook/Instagram video with Carrie and Tanya. We share some of our favorite Valentine's Day songs and activities, answer a few listener questions, and give some updates on what's new with Music Teacher Coffee Talk.
Carrie and Tanya talk with Anne Mileski about developing the singing voice in the elementary music classroom.
Carrie and Tanya share songs and activities they are doing with 5th grade this week and this semester.
Carrie and Tanya discuss plans and goals for the second half of the school year.
Carrie and Tanya share songs and activities they are doing with 4th grade this week.
Carrie and Tanya chat with Tom Michalek, music educator and current president of the Organization of American Kodály Educators. We talk about the Kodály philosophy, the benefits of joining OAKE, and about the 2024 OAKE National Conference that will be held in Chicago March 6-9.
Tanya and Carrie share songs and activities they are using in their 3rd grade general music lessons this week.
Carrie and Tanya have a powerful conversation with Dr. Karen Howard about issues and ideas around diversity and culturally responsive teaching in music education.
Carrie and Tanya share songs and activities they are using in their 2nd grade general music lessons this week.
David Row joins Carrie and Tanya to discuss ideas and strategies for creativity through improvisation in the Orff-inspired classroom.
Carrie and Tanya talk about the songs and activities they are doing with their 1st graders this week.
Carrie and Tanya welcome Beth Duhon to discuss ideas for implementing summer learning into your classroom.
Tanya and Carrie share songs and activities they are doing with their Kindergarten students this week, including ideas for establishing routines and procedures with young musicians entering the music room for the first time.
MTCT #159: Starting the School Year: Putting First Things First by Carrie Nicholas and Tanya LeJeune
Carrie and Tanya share ideas for summer learning such as classes, podcasts, and book recommendations.
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Tanya and Carrie discuss their end of the year plans including what content we are still going to teach and some of the extra fun things we do this time of year to keep kids engaged.
Carrie and Tanya check in on how they have implemented things they learned during the 2023 Summer Book Club while reading "Realizing Diversity: An Equity Framework for Music Education" by Karen Howard.
In this episode, Tanya and Carrie discuss our takeaways from the 2024 OAKE National Conference as well as our general thoughts on Kodály-inspired teaching as we see it today. Of course we talk about Beyoncé too! It all makes sense when you listen.
Carrie and Tanya welcome Debbie O'Shea from Crescendo Music Education to talk about manipulatives in the music room.
Tanya and Carrie discuss strategies for putting together a musical performance when you are short on time.
Tanya and Carrie share some of their favorite "work smarter, not harder" teacher tips.
Carrie and Tanya discuss strategies that help with classroom management and building relationships within a challenging group of students.
Carrie and Tanya talk about their intentions for the New Year, both at home and at school.
Carrie and Tanya discuss the logistic of having an elementary school choir along with favorite repertoire and resources.
In this episode, Carrie and Tanya celebrate their 6-year podcasting anniversary with an episode all about 6 of their favorite picture books for the music room.
The fourth of a 4-part series: Recipes for Success in the Elementary Music Classroom. Carrie and Tanya talk about "icing and sprinkles" that make your lessons engaging and cohesive for students.
The third of a 4-part series: Recipes for Success in the Elementary Music Classroom. Carrie and Tanya talk about transitions for the music classroom.
The second of 4 part series: Recipes for Success in the Elementary Music Classroom. Carrie and Tanya talk about lesson segments for intermediate grades in the music classroom.
The first of 4 part series: Recipes for Success in the Elementary Music Classroom. Carrie and Tanya talk about lesson segments in a K-2nd grade music classroom.
In Hot Topics part 2, Carrie and Tanya discuss: -Music literacy skills balanced with Project Based Learning -Sound systems: are you the resident expert? -Balancing diversity, equity, and inclusion values in the music room within a conservative school community and more!
Rhythm sticks, tambourines, and triangles, oh my! Tanya and Carrie talk about using classroom instruments in the elementary music classroom.
In this episode, Tanya and Carrie discuss Learning Targets, Data Tracking, and Turn Taking in the elementary music room.
Tanya and Carrie discuss plans for the beginning of the school year.
Carrie and Tanya discuss chapters 7 and 8 of Realizing Diversity: An Equity Framework for Music Education by Karen Howard along with some final thoughts and plans for implementation.
Carrie and Tanya discuss chapters 4 and 5 of Realizing Diversity: An Equity Framework for Music Education by Karen Howard.
Tanya and Carrie continue the 2023 Summer Book Club by discussing Chapters 3 and 4 of "Realizing Diversity: An Equity Framework for Music Education" by Karen Howard
Tanya and Carrie are kicking off the 2023 Summer Book Club by discussing Chapters 1 and 2 of "Realizing Diversity: An Equity Framework for Music Education" by Karen Howard
As they wrap up this school year, Tanya and Carrie discuss their Summer Plans and Goals.
Carrie and Tanya discuss their favorite teachers and characteristics of successful teachers.
Carrie and Tanya discuss 3 things they did well in their first year at a new school and 1 thing to aim for next year.
Sometimes you have to teach when your energy is low or you're not feeling the greatest. Tanya and Carrie discuss lesson ideas for when you have to "sub for yourself."
Carrie and Tanya discuss the 2023 OAKE Conference.
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