Creativity, fun are key in teacher's music class
Casey Whitaker stands in front of a full classroom with the lights dimmed. Vincent Van Gogh's “The Starry Night” is projected on the screen behind him while he leads a conversation about the famous painting through the lens of music.
What instrument would represent the wind? Which tune best embodies the moon? They are composing on the go, and a few minutes later the students pick up their instruments — chimes, hand bells, rain sticks — and play a song.
The most interesting part of this moment is who is in Whitaker's class — not college students, not high schoolers, but two dozen kindergartners.
As Whitaker finishes his first year as the music teacher at Patton Elementary School in Arlington Heights, he has taken a hands-on and inclusive approach to not just music, but all the creative arts, that has resonated with the more than 450 students who pass through his class, a half-hour at a time, each week.
“He's a household name. That's a big accomplishment after only one year,” said Principal Eric Larson. “Casey has had an incredible impact from the very beginning.”
Whitaker may be new to Arlington Heights Elementary District 25, where he replaced a beloved music teacher who retired after more than two decades at the school, but music has been a part of his life since he was the same age as his young students. He started taking piano lessons at age 6 and fell in love.
“Music was a constant part of my life,” Whitaker said.
Teaching students to find and nurture a passion for music from a young age is what Whitaker loves most about his job.
“You get to teach them the basics, the fundamentals of music. It's all about note reading, rhythm, movement, dance,” he said. “I love interacting with the kids and letting them explore their learning as they grow.”
And Whitaker really interacts with his students every day. He gets on the floor and plays music with them, marches around the room and dances alongside them, asks them which instrument would sound best and lets them create the music of the day.
In a time when there is such a focus in schools on standardized testing and college preparation, Whitaker said music, and the arts, are more important than ever.
“It's absolutely essential to give students that outlet to be creative,” he said. “And, in a sense, we are doing the common core here. We are reading, we are composing. Music requires math, counting, and adding. We learn as a team and allow them to use that creative part of their brain at the same time.”
Whitaker challenged his fifth-graders this year to pull together and put on a performance of “The Lion King,” which was hailed by parents and staff as the best elementary school play many had seen in years.
Every student was involved, from stage crew to lighting, sound editing to actors. The play didn't include any percussive music, so Whitaker helped his drum students write their own and perform it. They practiced before and after school for months, and when it was time for the play to go on, the students were ready.
“It was a lot of work, but he always supported me,” said Sevana Papazian, who played Nala.
“His class is amazing,” Sevana said. “He always has something great in store for us. He makes things that could be boring fun.”
Sevana said Whitaker inspires her to continue exploring music in all aspects of her life.
“Music is just so amazing,” she said. “It sets me free from reality and I get transported to a different world.”
“I definitely look forward to his class,” agreed Jason Kanabay, a fifth-grade student who recently played Simba.
Jason said Whitaker's class wasn't always easy, but it was worth it.
“He gave us a challenge, but it's a good challenge because it pushes you to be creative in many ways,” he said. “He brought music to a whole other level for me.”
Whitaker said the best part of his job is the students, seeing every single one of them discover their personal love for music.
“It's validating to come in and see the students grow as they learn and have fun with what they're doing,” Whitaker said. “When they leave my class I just hope they stay involved in music in some way, whether they sing or play an instrument or just enjoy music — then I've done my job.”
Curriculum vitae
Name: Casey Whitaker
Age: 37
From: Kansas City, Missouri
Lives in: Pingree Grove
Education: Bachelor's degree from Northwest Missouri State, master's degree in elementary curriculum from William Wood University in Missouri.
Time at Patton: One year
Time teaching: 14 years
Previous positions: Taught at Westridge Elementary in Raytown, Missouri, and at Haverhill Elementary in Fort Wayne, Indiana.