At Woodland Star, we believe in the power of music as a part of the curriculum. It’s not just about learning notes and rhythms; it’s about fostering creativity, discipline, and a lifelong love for music. That’s why we were thrilled when Namara Karatsi, our music and performing arts teacher, was interviewed for Music Teacher Magazine.
In her conversation with Dr. James Ingham, Namara discusses the importance of certified teaching qualifications, particularly the International Post Graduate Certificate for Education (iPGCE), which she attained in 2018. The iPGCE offers teachers holding music degrees an opportunity to enhance their skills and credentials. This qualification, along with the newly introduced International Qualified Teacher Status (iQTS), is equivalent to UK domestic qualifications, opening doors for educators worldwide.
Namara shares how holding the iPGCE has positively impacted her teaching. From classroom management to creating an enriching learning environment. She specifically highlights the importance of learning about Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi’s flow model, and how positive education and the state of flow have been explored. The concept of flow in the music classroom has become the basis of what she believes is the ‘ideal classroom’.
When asked what is the best thing about being a music teacher Namara says; “I love being a music teacher. There is no limit to how far a child can go in music. There will always be more and more you can introduce them to, and I love the fact that I see their progress in real-time. From playing single notes to playing melodies, chords, whole songs and more, you can be there every step of their musical journeys. I get to make music with students all day, every day. I watch them build the confidence to be able to perform and develop a sense of belonging within the performing arts space. My favourite part of the whole job is leading productions. I’m always amazed at how much students rise to these occasions, and it makes me so proud.”
We are incredibly proud of Namara’s achievements and the positive impact she has had on our students’ musical journey. “Teaching is a calling, and we must do right by the student.” Says Namara. ‘It is important to educate ourselves first and ensure that our students’ needs are central to the decisions we make.”
Read the full interview with Namara Karatsi and Dr. James Ingham.
