122. Building Belonging Through Team-Teaching Magic: A Conversation with Daryl Silberman & Matthew White

🎻 Episode #122 — The Orchestra Teacher PodcastGuests: Daryl Silberman & Matthew White, Orchestra Directors at Scullen Middle School (Naperville, IL)In this energizing episode, Dr. Charles Laux welcomes the incredible teaching duo Daryl Silberman and Matthew White, who have transformed the Scullen Middle School orchestra program through collaboration, creativity, and a deep commitment to student belonging.Daryl and Matt share how their unique team-teaching model brings out the best in both teachers and students—using humor, trust, and complementary strengths to create a vibrant, inclusive learning environment. They discuss:✨ Building a positive classroom culture✨ Their “Habits of Mind” system that fosters kindness and responsibility✨ Creating a space where every student sees themselves represented✨ Improvisation, electric strings, and developing creativity✨ Monthly “Be Curious,” “Do Something,” and “You Belong” calendars✨ Special grade-level projects and identity-based music learning✨ Innovative room setup (yes…they cut the backs off their chairs!)✨ Grant writing, technology integration, and using AI for teaching✨ The importance of trust, collaboration, and modeling artistic growthWhether you team-teach or work solo, this episode is packed with ideas you can bring into your own orchestra room—insights that will inspire your teaching and nurture student connection.🔗 Connect with Daryl and MatthewDaryl: [email protected]: [email protected]://www.instagram.com/scullenorchestra/📚 Resources:https://www.daryls.comhttps://sites.google.com/ipsd.org/mrwscullenorchestra/home#OrchestraTeacherPodcast #MusicEducation #OrchestraTeaching #StringEducation #TeamTeaching #MiddleSchoolOrchestra #MusicEd #MusicTeachers #OrchestraDirectors #StringPedagogy #CreativeTeaching #InclusiveTeaching #MusicClassroomCulture #ElectricStrings #ImprovisationInMusic #ScullenMiddleSchool #NapervilleSchools #StudentBelonging #HabitsOfMind #MusicEdLife #TeacherInspiration #EdTechInMusic #MusicEdPodcast #StringTeachers #OrchestraLife #MusicEdCommunity— REFERRAL LINKS —Looking to plan a great orchestra trip? Kaleidoscope Adventures has been planning performance travel beyond expectations for more than 30 years. ⁠https://www.kaleidoscopeadventures.com/the-orchestra-teacher-podcast/⁠Looking for things on Amazon?  Use my referral link:⁠https://amzn.to/3RkfRLk⁠Do you keep a monthly budget?  If not, try You Need a Budget!  It’s a great app/website that helps keep your finances on track.⁠https://tinyurl.com/TheOrchestraTeacherYNAB⁠Do you have cable?  Cut the cord and check out YouTube TV!  It works on mobile, Smart TVs, the web and more!⁠https://tv.youtube.com/referral/r22irzcuy7jshi⁠Resources and more information at ⁠www.orchestrateacher.net⁠