TAMPA, Fla. — This week’s A+ Teacher is only in her second year of teaching and she’s already making a huge impact.
Amanda Coleman is the choral director at Orange Grove Middle Magnet School in Tampa.
“I really try to help students learn when they’re having a bad day, they can listen to a song, even if they’re having a great day, you can listen to a song. Music can be there for you in every moment,” said Coleman.
Music has always been there for Miss Coleman. She was inspired to pursue a teaching career by her high school chorus teacher.
“Instead of just singing and performing all of the time, I realized that I could have a greater impact on students especially by making my room a safe space and just allowing students to find the best versions of themselves in my room,” said Coleman.
“She’s so nice and makes people feel comfortable, and you can ask her anything even if it’s personal,” said Jazlyn Ponce, one of her seventh grade students who nominated her to be featured as our A+ Teacher.
Each day, Miss Coleman is helping her students find their voice.
“I hope my students leave class knowing that their voice is fully their own. It is all from them, and it’s what they create, and they have the power to make a really good decision with it and make beautiful sounds,” said Coleman.
Singing is at the center of all her chorus classes, but Miss Coleman will tell you she wants to teach her students so much more.
“They’re also learning, and I think this is the most important thing, how to be good human beings, how to talk to each other, how to give constructive feedback to one another without upsetting the other person,” said Coleman.