Health & Wellbeing

Mental health and wellbeing column: overcoming isolation

Whether you work in the classroom or practice room, music teaching can feel like a solitary, nomadic existence – but it doesn't have to be this way. Kent Music shares tips on how to connect with your peers and reap the benefits
The Kent Music Conference
The Kent Music Conference

Teaching music, whether in schools or as a visiting music teacher (VMT), comes with unique challenges, and chief among them is professional isolation This isolation can stem from various factors, such as solitary working conditions, the often-undervalued status of music in school curriculums, and limited collaborative opportunities with other teachers. Despite these challenges, you're not alone. There are many ways to overcome this feeling of isolation, benefiting yourself and your students.

Music teachers often work in isolation within schools or in very small departments. Unlike teachers in core subjects such as Maths or English, who might have many colleagues within their departments, music teachers are frequently the sole subject representative at their school. VMTs can feel isolated due to their nomadic work nature and lack of a regular community.

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