![\"Portrait](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/lucy-greenberg.jpg\")
<\/p>\n Mandy Algate is taking her training from Texas Tech\u2019s School of Music to not only
\n teach students, but to teach teachers as well.<\/p>\n
\t\tCREATORS<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
As you walk the hallways of Roscoe Wilson Elementary School, you can see vibrant paintings
\n proudly hung by little hands. You smell the buttery scent of popcorn popping in the
\n teacher\u2019s lounge. And as you make your way toward the back of the building, you can
\n hear animated voices rising and falling to a shared melody.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Texas Tech University<\/a> alumna Mandy Algate has spent the last 13 years building a program that not only Upon graduating, many Texas Tech alumni make their way out into the world. Across Algate is one of the music teachers at Roscoe Wilson, a sought-after campus due to While she may have only moved six blocks down the street from Texas Tech\u2019s School of Music<\/a>, her path wasn\u2019t always straightforward. Algate came to Texas Tech in 2008 as a flautist.\u00a0<\/p>\n Her parents were both musicians, and Algate recalls music always playing in her home. \u201cWhen I came to Lubbock, I really liked the community feel,\u201d she says. \u201cNot just the \u201cIt just felt really cozy.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Algate arrived at Texas Tech planning to become a private flute teacher, but her path \u201cThe first day I was like, \u2018Oh, that\u2019s it. That\u2019s what I want to do,\u2019\u201d Algate says.\u00a0<\/p>\n While the class was certainly fun, it was a deeper revelation that captured Algate\u2019s Brumfield sang a name game called, \u201cRiding on the Railway,\u201d and broke down each layer \u201cNo one had shown me that these little kids can compose and they can improvise,\u201d Algate The class fused Algate\u2019s interest in pedagogy with her innate creativity, and a calling Along the way, her professors encouraged her to pursue the Kod\u00e1ly Certification \u2013 \u201cThat\u2019s a lot to unpack, but for example, when I was growing up in the \u201890s, we would One\u2019s own folk heritage might be as simple as \u201cMiss Mary Mack\u201d or \u201cA Sailor Went to \u201cTechnology has really taken over,\u201d she says. \u201cWhen I\u2019m on lunch duty in the cafeteria She\u2019s quick to note that technology isn\u2019t bad, it\u2019s just different, and she is passionate Algate also loves reigniting organic curiosity in her students.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cMy job is to lead them, but their job is the discovery,\u201d she says. \u201cSo, I have the Algate will start a class by having her students form a circle. They sing a few folk This Friday, they\u2019re singing \u201cTideo,\u201d a well-known Texas play party song.<\/p>\n Pass one window, Tideo, pass two windows, Tideo<\/p>\n Pass three windows, Tideo, Jingle at the windows, Tideo.<\/p>\n The kids sing these lyrics repeatedly, as they move in an inner and outer circle, It\u2019s impressive choreography for second graders.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cI love a singing game where there\u2019s lots of movement happening,\u201d Algate says with Algate\u2019s position at Roscoe Wilson fell into her lap almost serendipitously. When \u201cIt\u2019s been a really lovely place to work,\u201d she says.\u00a0<\/p>\n The longevity has allowed her to witness the arc of many kids\u2019 educational journey. \u201cI get to see them change and grow, not just as musicians, but as people too,\u201d she Local parent Robin Phillips has had two children in Algate\u2019s music classes at Roscoe \u201cMy first impression of Mandy was her poise and professionalism, and how deeply she Her appreciation of Algate only grew as her kids would come home talking about what \u201cI remember thinking, \u2018This is a really high-quality music educator,\u2019\u201d Phillips recalls.<\/p>\n While her children have now aged out of Algate\u2019s classes, her youngest daughter still Algate works with students across Lubbock ISD who she believes can successfully audition \u201cMandy has been instrumental in making this opportunity possible,\u201d Phillips says. The OAKE choir isn\u2019t the only extra activity Algate juggles. She also is the associate She teaches at Roscoe Wilson in the mornings, and spends afternoons traveling to other \u201cI get to have a foot in each world,\u201d she says.\u00a0<\/p>\n Instructional coaching is an initiative Lubbock ISD administration is rolling out \u201cMandy is a master educator,\u201d Berridge says. \u201cThere is no one better to learn from.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Berridge has a musical background herself, and can only describe what Algate does \u201cShe just has a way of gaining the attention of any child, anywhere,\u201d she explains. While her career has taken off, Algate\u2019s connection to Texas Tech has never been stronger. The concert brings hundreds of kids to campus to experience orchestral music they\u2019ve \u201cFor a lot of kids, it\u2019s their first experience with an orchestra,\u201d Algate explains. Beyond work, Algate and her husband try to attend as many local concerts and ensembles \u201cIt\u2019s still about community,\u201d Algate says. \u201cThe same reasons I chose Texas Tech are
\n equips students with musical proficiency, but offers a space for them to move, laugh,
\n sing and dance \u2013 what Algate calls the human experience.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n the U.S. and across the globe. For Algate, her next step was a few blocks down the
\n street.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n its long-tenured educators and its status as a fine arts magnet school.\u00a0<\/p>\n![\"Algate](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Algate-teaching.jpg\")
Mandy Algate<\/p>\n
\n She had the opportunity to follow in her parents\u2019 footsteps: the two met in marching
\n band at the University of Texas. She also had her choice of many strong music programs
\n in Houston, but a campus visit to Texas Tech sealed the deal.\u00a0<\/p>\n![\"Goin'](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Goin-Band.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
\n campus but the whole town. When you drive around and see all the Texas Tech flags
\n flying at businesses and outside of homes, you can tell this is a community that loves
\n the university.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n took a detour during her third year when she walked into Susan Brumfield<\/a>\u2019s Music for Children class.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n attention \u2013 there was a depth of learning possibility with young children she never
\n imagined.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n of what they\u2019d just done afterward. There was a surprising number of musical skills
\n woven into the game.\u00a0<\/p>\n![\"Algate](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Algate.jpg\")
![\"Algate](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/In-class.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
\n says. \u201cThey can do some sophisticated things. You just have to sequence your way into
\n it.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n was born. She loved the course so much, she ended up taking it twice \u2013 again in graduate school<\/a> when she continued her studies with the J.T. & Margaret Talkington College of Visual & Performing Arts<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n![\"Lesson](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Lesson-structure.jpg\")
![\"Ukeleles\"\/](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/ukuleles.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
\n an experience-based approach that\u2019s particularly popular in early music education,
\n and a competitive advantage in hiring. The approach is named after the famous Hungarian
\n composer, who believed that music literacy could be taught to children best with music
\n from their own folk heritage.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n play hand-clapping games at recess,\u201d she explains. \u201cThere were always songs that went
\n along with this, or with jump rope.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n Sea.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n or outside, you see much less organic play.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n about creating a genuine connection that allows music to be made together.\u00a0<\/p>\n![\"Staff\"\/](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Staff.jpg\")
![\"Mallets\"\/](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/mallets.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
\n breadcrumbs, but they have to go find them.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n songs, pairing them with hand motions or a simple dance.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n changing partners each time they \u201cpass a window.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n a grin. \u201cWhen I can teach a game and they pick it up fast, then I can get out of the
\n way and just watch kids being kids.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n a last-minute opening appeared, Brumfield advocated for Algate, and she was placed
\n there as a student teacher. After completing her student teaching semester, she was
\n hired.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n She is a staple in their lives from 4 to 10 years old, a massive piece of childhood
\n development.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n beamed. \u201cI love going to middle school and high school concerts, even UIL competitions,
\n just to see where they end up.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n Wilson.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n cares about her job,\u201d Phillips says.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n they\u2019d learned in class. Phillips is a vocalist who holds a bachelor\u2019s in vocal performance
\n from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and a master\u2019s from the Eastman School
\n of Music, so she recognizes good teaching.<\/p>\n
\n works with Algate through her participation in the Organization of American Kod\u00e1ly
\n Educators (OAKE) National Children\u2019s Choir.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n for the group.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n \u201cIt\u2019s been life changing for my youngest. The coaching she\u2019s received from Mandy and
\n the experience of singing in that choir has helped her realize she can do challenging
\n things, and it\u2019s given her a sense of self-esteem.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n conductor at the West Texas Children\u2019s Chorus, and just recently, started a new adventure
\n by becoming the instructional coach for music educators across Lubbock ISD.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n elementary schools to encourage, develop and teach music educators. The arrangement
\n allows her to help others refine what they do while still being a practitioner herself.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n on a broader level. Executive Director of Leadership & Professional Development Beth
\n Berridge believes the best people to teach teachers, are other teachers.\u00a0<\/p>\n![\"Algate\"\/](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Algate-2.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
\n as magic.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n \u201cKids are mesmerized by her.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n For the past several years, she has helped lead the All Together Symphony<\/a>, a collaboration between Lubbock ISD elementary schools and the Texas Tech Symphony Orchestra<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n listened to in advance. The elementary students get to engage with the music through
\n movement, rhythm activities and other interactive elements.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n \u201cIf you just walk into a concert with no knowledge about it, it can be intimidating
\n and boring. We want it to feel approachable.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n as possible. Both are music educators and met at Texas Tech. For the couple, staying
\n in Lubbock wasn\u2019t about playing it safe \u2013 it was recognizing they had a vibrant arts
\n community that had endless opportunities.\u00a0<\/p>\n![\"Algate](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Algate-and-husband.jpg\")
Mandy Algate with her husband<\/p>\n
\n the same reasons we\u2019ve stayed in Lubbock.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Mandy Algate is taking her training from Texas Tech\u2019s School of Music to not only teach students, but…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":3976,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[16],"tags":[168,170,169],"class_list":["post-161164","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-lubbock","tag-lubbock","tag-lubbock-headlines","tag-lubbock-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/161164","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=161164"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/161164\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3976"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=161164"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=161164"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=161164"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}