Resume
Forward-looking Educator with 15+ years of combined experience in private instruction and the public school system.
Committed to addressing and helping solve broad structural problems through a holistic, research-based, innovative approach to pedagogy.
Constantly seek opportunities to make education more rewarding and equitable, and to create a model for learning that delivers the greatest good to the largest number of students.
Experience centered on music instruction, with success engaging students in individual, small ensemble, large ensemble, workshop, and classroom settings.
Named by Maine Music Education Association as the state’s best school music teacher with <5 years of experience in 2019.
Work Experience
Mentor Teacher, University of Southern Maine, Gorham , ME | September 2021-May 2022
Mentor and evaluate music education students during their student teaching. Teacher education includes instructional strategies, curriculum development, instrumental techniques and professional development of interpersonal skills.
Music Teacher / Band & Choir Director, RSU 14 Windham Raymond, Windham, ME / Raymond, ME | Aug 2017 to August 2022
Teach middle school General Music, Band, Jazz Band, Choir, Afterschool Rock Band, Touring Band, Music Technology, and Guitar classes. Organize student recitals. Serve as member of district’s Technology Committee and iMovie Film Festival Organizing Committee.
Created a dynamic, responsive music classroom based on a critical constructivist teaching approach.
Established jazz band as a curricular subject, and introduced performing rock bands, composition clubs, drum set clubs, and music production classes to make the music program more culturally relevant and empower student expression.
Partnered with other teachers on curricular integration with Art, English, Science, History, and Technology classes, allowing students to
build and explore the physics behind musical instruments.
learn the history of certain instruments and playing techniques.
understand how electricity and circuits power microphones, amplifiers, and speakers.
record and edit interviews with each other into podcasts published on Spotify.
Co-led Civil Rights Team at Jordan Small Middle School, facilitating students’ awareness, exploration, and advocacy of civil rights issues.
Helped increase community engagement by co-developing programs to share students’ work publicly and hold food drives at Carnival/Mardi Gras parade unit.
Combined efforts have helped raise overall engagement in the music program from 25% to 50% of student body.
Owner / Private Instructor, Adams Guitar Studio, Brunswick, ME | Aug 2006 to Present
Provide lessons on music theory, songwriting, musicianship, and various instruments including guitar, upright bass, and piano for students throughout southern Maine.
Student Teacher, North Yarmouth Academy, Yarmouth, ME | Mar 2017 to May 2017
Delivered AP Music Theory class and directed Bluegrass Ensemble, Jazz Band, and Jazz Combo. Co-led “Music Seminar Band,” a performing ensemble focused on developing practical skills needed as a professional musician.
Student Teacher, Falmouth Middle School, Falmouth, ME | Jan 2017 to Mar 2017
Taught Beginning Band, Concert Band, and sectional methods classes on saxophone, trumpet, percussion, flute, and clarinet. Co-taught the “Iron Twinkies” jazz band, a big-band ensemble of 22 students that met before and after school to develop improvisation skills and build idiomatic musical vocabulary.
Nonprofit Experience
Teaching Artist, Documentary Song Project, Brunswick, ME (remote) | Aug 2021 to Present
Work with and guide community members to create documentary artifacts in the form of songs drawn directly from their experiences and shared stories.
Featured Teaching Artist, Maine Music & Health’s Horizon Choir Program, Freeport, ME | Jun 2021 to Present
Collaborate with music therapists behind this mixed adaptive choir for people with intellectual disabilities. Help develop programming to meet curricular and therapeutic goals, deliver musical instruction, support choir members, and facilitate participation.
Partnership Artist Faculty, 317 Main, Yarmouth, ME | Apr 2017 to Sep 2017
Developed new culturally responsive and relevant materials for mixed percussion ensemble through a partnership with the New England Arab American Organization.
Head Counselor / Curriculum Developer, Mayo Street Arts, Portland, ME | Jun 2015 to Aug 2017
Created literacy-based arts education programming to benefit low-income youth in Portland’s East Bayside neighborhood.
Education & Certification
Graduate Studies in Music Learning and Teaching, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 2022-Present
Bachelor of Arts (BA) – Music Education (Jazz Focus), University of Southern Maine, Gorham, ME | 2017
Magna Cum Laude | 3.74 GPA | Dean’s List
Select Coursework: Curriculum Development | Education Philosophy | Lesson Planning | Classroom Music Pedagogy
Teacher’s Assistant, Guitar Methods
President, National Association for Music Education (NAfME) USM Collegiate Chapter (2016 to 2017)
Organizer, Eighth Annual Northern New England Symposium on Music Education (2016)
Recipient, Betty Atterbury Scholarship (for student leadership in NAfME and the Music Education program)
Coursework toward: Associate of Arts (AA) – Jazz Performance, University of Maine at Augusta
614 Certification for K-12 Music Education, State of Maine
Affiliation
Secretary, Maine Music Education Association (MMEA) | 2019
Presentations & Publications
Co-Presenter, “Project Based Learning in the Secondary Music Classroom,” Maine Music Educators Association (NAfME) All State Conference | 2022
Co-Presenter, “Teaching Composition through Chinese Shadow Puppetry,” National Association for Music Education (NAfME) Eastern Division Conference | 2017
Award
Outstanding New Music Educator, Maine Music Education Association (MMEA) | 2019
Given to individual named as Maine’s best music educator with <5 years in the field. Education
References
Dr. Michele Kaschub
Professor of Music Education University of Southern Maine
1-207-831-4158
Rose Underkofler
Music teacher: Chorus, Strings at RSU14
runderkofler@grsu14.org
Ian Ramsey
Visual & Performing Arts Chair, Upper School Instrumental Music, Studio Band at North Yarmouth Academy
jberry@falmouthschools.org
Past Letters of Reference
November 22, 2021
Recommendation for Alexander Adams:
I have had the pleasure of teaching and collaborating with Alex Adams for nearly a decade. Alex came to our music education program with a vast array of highly refined skills, including being a master puppeteer. In our second semester of fieldwork, Alex and I joined forces to engage his classmates in the creation of shadow puppets and an original score for “The Nightingale.” We subsequently took our play on tour to a few elementary schools where we performed and then introduced instruments. Alex, even at the very outset of his journey to becoming the outstanding teacher that he is today, was insightful. He was prescient in his ability to forecast hurdles, plan backwards from the end goal (not the performance, but his cohort’s reflections on what they had learned about teaching and learning in the process of creating the outreach program), and teach his peers with an expertise that surpassed content knowledge to evidence passion and humility.
Today, a decade later, Alex is endlessly curious about teaching, learning, creativity, craft, and the humans who are fortunate enough to find themselves under his tutelage. His fascinations have led him to read broadly in music philosophy, hermeneutics, educational theory, and ethnomusicology. His interests range from discovery-based learning to modern band to the creation of musical maker spaces.
In the midst of his music making (he’s a wonderful guitarist) and explorations of music teaching and learning, he has chosen to mentor a series of pre-practicum student visitors and student teachers. He enters these hosting tasks with great compassion and open-mindedness. He is eager to share what he has learned and is open to learning with his students and interns. Alex was recognized by the Maine Music Educators Association as the New Music Teacher of the Year in 2020 for his commitment to excellence in music and advancing the profession. This award is fitting in that Alex is deeply devoted to pushing the boundaries of traditional music education to find ways to connect with every student encounters. He is perhaps the best example of “student-focused” that I have witnessed in the classroom.
Alex will be a highly success graduate student by any measure of that term. He seeks out and absorbs information at a phenomenal rate. More importantly, he weaves impressive connections between ideas of disparate fields with a ferocity of intellect that is very promising for our profession. I offer Alex my highest recommendation knowing that you will find him to be an uncommon contributor to your program and a remarkable reward for your work as a scholar-educator.
Respectfully,
Michele Kaschub, PhD
University of Southern Maine Osher School of Music
Professor of Music & Director of Music Teacher Education
Immediate Past Chair & Academic Editor, Music Educators Journal (NAfME) Chair, NUCenter Network
March 6, 2021
To Whom It May Concern:
I am very proud and honored to recommend Alexander Adams for a music teaching position. I would have no reservations in hiring Alex, and I currently find it a pleasure to work with him as a colleague.
In the fall of 2017, I first met Mr. Adams because he was my seventh-grade son’s music and band teacher. Alex brought fun, engagement, and a cool vibe to the Jordan Small Middle School music program. My son was a trumpet player, but when he met Mr. Adams, he became a rock musician, jazz musician, and a performer. Furthermore, he fell in love with music. Alex empowers his students to push themselves musically and in their performances. My son and his classmates were eager to perform at school assemblies. Moreover, Mr. Adam’s approach to music instruction made these assemblies great community events with a renewed energy that I had not seen in previous years. In addition, my son took one year of guitar class with Mr. Adams during his eight-grade year and fell in love with this instrument as well. Recently, I enrolled my son in private guitar lessons, and I was told that he had exemplary guitar instruction and his current teacher was surprised that my son learned how to play so well in a public-school music setting.
I became Alex’s colleague when I transferred to Jordan Small Middle School. Over these past two years, Mr. Adams has continued to bring his high energy, cool vibe, and outstanding instruction to his music and band students. In addition, Alex created a Mardi Gras themed fundraiser where Raymond students donated food items and learned the history behind this yearly event. This year due to COVID 19 hybrid teaching, Alex has found creative ways to teach music and band education to students. He has had students play COVID safe instruments, create podcasts, and has provided private and small group music lessons to students via Google Meets. Alex has empowered countless students to become musicians even when they have struggled in most other classroom settings. Lastly, Mr. Adams has reached out to integrate his music units to my sixth grade ELA texts. Alex is always finding creative ways to bring music to life for all students.
Overall, Mr. Alexander Adams has showed extra dedication to his teaching and to students at Jordan Small Middle School. I will greatly miss Alex as a peer; however, I know he will continue to bring his passion for teaching and music.
Please do not hesitate to contact me.
Warmly,
Jennifer Potter
Sixth Grade Teacher
From Fellow Teacher Charles Oehrtmann, RSU14
May, 2021
To Whom It May Concern:
I am writing you regarding Alex Adams, a candidate for a teaching position in your school. Alex first came to RSU 14 in the 2017 – 2018 academic year as a beginning band director at Manchester School in Windham, Maine, and as a chorus and general music teacher at Jordan Small Middle School in the neighboring town of Raymond.
A typical Tuesday, Thursday or Friday for Alex looks like this:
Arrive around 7:15 AM after an approximately hour-long commute from his home – sometimes in
questionable travel circumstances. Students arrive at 8:00 – his first class begins at 9:25
Review the previous week’s assignment to link it to the focus for this week’s class until students arrive at
8:00, or contact parents who have questions.
Work with any students who want extra help from 8:00 – 8:20.
Prepare to perform on any instrument he can get his hands on so he can be playing as students pass by
his room on the way to meet their homeroom teachers after the busses drop them off.
Teach the band classes at Manchester School, then prepare to travel to Jordan Small Middle School to
complete the day’s assigned classroom schedule.
Stay after school a JSMS to help any students who might need it.
After the long but rewarding day, find the time to rehearse with other adults in a variety of music
ensembles on an occasional basis. Alex is one of those music teachers who not only “talks the talk”, but “walks the walk”.
At Jordan Small Middle School, Alex established a rock band that initially met after school for students who volunteered their time and talents. It was such a success at one concert that now it has become a part of the regularly-scheduled academic day.
Alex has scoured local resources for instruments to add to the fleet of school-owned band instruments that are available for students who might otherwise not be able to participate in the instrumental program due to the financial situation of their families. The drum set that now resides in the Band Room at Manchester School was one that Alex went to Bangor to get, a city nearly two and one-half hours from Windham. This is one example of the lengths Alex will go to find resources for the band program.
Alex also incorporates technology in his classes, using Garage Band as a tool for students to compose their own music. He uses rhythm tracks during his band classes, and is always seeking new technological tools to spur student growth. His website contains not only the schedule for upcoming performances, it also contains audio and visual resources for students so they can better understand how their particular part fits within the ensemble in which they are participating, be it instrumental or vocal.
I can’t imagine a more dedicated young teacher, and I can unhesitatingly recommend him for any teaching position in which he might be interested. As the former orchestra specialist and one of the former choral teachers in this district, I am well aware of the challenges and rewards that are involved in being the director of an instrumental or vocal ensemble in RSU14 Windham / Raymond Schools. As a seasoned veteran, and Alex’s mentor, I can truly state that he has “got the goods” and know that the classes he teaches and ensembles he directs are in very capable hands.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions. Sincerely,
Charles Oehrtmann
Manchester School / Windham Primary School
March 12, 2019
To Whom It May Concern:
I write this letter of recommendation for Alex Adams with mixed feelings. While I am pleased to be able to recommend a highly effective music teacher to your hiring committee for this exciting opportunity, I would hate to see Alex leave our school district! I have had the opportunity to observe Mr. Adams working with students on many occasions as his direct supervisor over the last year and a half. These instances include general music classes, chorus rehearsals, band rehearsals and and guitar classes.
Although Alex is only in the second year of his public education career, his ability to deliver an outstanding level of instruction is on par with some teachers with more years of experience. He has consistently proven to be reflective of his teaching practices, analyzing if he met his objectives for each class and making adjustments for future classes based on the learning of the students. Mr. Adams is able to challenge and support all the young musicians he works with in a very student-centered manner, regardless of their skill level or prior experience. He has an eclectic knowledge base which allows him to develop innovative ways to reach a variety of students that “hook” them into learning about music. Alex incorporates visual arts, computer technology, performance demonstrations and many other techniques to keep his students engaged and productive during classes.
Mr. Adams frequently collaborates with colleagues in our school and the district music department. He is highly respected by the students, staff and parents because of his enthusiasm for the subject he teaches and genuine commitment to his students.
The first 20 years of my career in education was as a music teacher so I have worked with many music teachers and attended hundreds of school concerts. Alex is well on his way to becoming an outstanding music educator in every aspect of the profession. I recommend him without reservation for the position for which he is applying. Please do not hesitate to contact me directly for further details regarding my recommendation of Mr. Adams for a position in your school.
Sincerely, Randy Crockett
April 21, 2017
It is with great pleasure that I write this RECOMMENDATION FOR ALEXANDER ADAMS. I first met Mr. Adams nearly five years ago when he interviewed for entrance into USM’s music education program. In that interview Mr. Adams impressed me with his keen intellect, vivid imagination, and openness to exploring new ideas and teaching practices to engage artistic thinking and action.
Throughout Mr. Adams’ time in our program, I have seen his approach to teaching grow from from broad observation to highly focused actions built on his insightful perceptions of students and contexts. His teaching draws on a strong philosophical base, considerable knowledge of learners, deep artistic understandings, and practical teaching skills which engage students in hands-on/minds-on learning. He is masterful at asking questions, probing understandings, and drawing out of students what they already know so that they can continue to develop new knowledge and skills in a manner that seems natural and seamless.
In his two student teaching practicuums I have seen an educator with a thorough command of his subject who is well-liked and respected by students. Mr. Adams has a keen knack for connected with a variety of learners through differing means as suits their individual needs. His broad interests and insights allow him to engage in conversation with nearly anyone he meets. This skill has been widely noted not only by his field-based mentors, but by their colleagues, too.
Without question, Mr. Adams will bring a wealth of imagination, energy, and artistic spirit to any school fortunate enough to gain his employment. He will be greatly admired by students with varied artistic and musical interests, respected by colleagues, and enjoyed by parents for the incredible experiences he will offer their children.
Mr. Adams is among the top 3-5 students that I have taught in my twenty years at USM. I offer him my highest recommendation.
Cordially,
Michele Kaschub, PhD
Professor of Music & Coordinator of Music Teacher Education University of Southern Maine
School of Music