In this episode of Band Director Boot Camp, host Lesley Moffat sits down with middle school band director and tech enthusiast Keith Ozsvath to explore the transformative power of ChatGPT for busy music educators. Keith shares how he uses ChatGPT to streamline his professional life, from creating rubrics and program notes to designing innovative classroom tools. They discuss real-world applications of AI to save time, reduce stress, and enhance teaching, all while maintaining high standards of instruction. Lesley and Keith dive into practical tips, share success stories, and outline how AI can be like having a "band mom in your pocket."

Whether you're curious about how ChatGPT can assist with parent communication, help plan meals after a long day, or even generate creative student activities, this episode is packed with actionable advice to help band directors focus more on what they love—teaching music.

What You’ll Learn:

• How ChatGPT can save time by assisting with emails, rubrics, and lesson planning.
• Ways to personalize ChatGPT for your specific teaching needs.
• Innovative uses of ChatGPT, like creating practice logs, program notes, and more.
• How ChatGPT’s collaborative approach can spark creativity and reduce mental load.
• Practical prompts and tips to get started with ChatGPT today.

Links Mentioned in the Episode:

• Keith Ozsvath’s website with resources for music educators
• Lesley’s free video tutorial: ChatGPT for Busy Band Directors on Chat GPT For Busy Band Directors: Introduction.
• The Band Director Buddy GPT – a specialized assistant pre-loaded with band-specific resources.

In this powerful episode of Band Director Boot Camp, Lesley Moffat is joined by Joey Weisler, educator, trauma-based scholar, and host of Classroom Narratives, Healing in Education. Joey brings his unique perspective on managing trauma and burnout, drawn from his own experiences with the tragic events at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School and his journey through personal and professional healing.

Lesley and Joey delve into the importance of creating safe spaces for students and educators to process trauma. They explore how music, narrative, and mindfulness can be powerful tools for recovery and resilience, sharing practical techniques like Joey's “5 Finger Meditation” and Lesley’s daily 528 Hertz breathing practice in the band room. Joey discusses his podcast’s mission to build a supportive community where educators can share stories, find healing, and prevent burnout.

This episode is a heartfelt reminder of the impact that trauma-informed practices can have in the classroom—and how vital it is for educators to support each other in these challenging times.

Key Topics Covered:

• Lesley’s personal story of a traumatic classroom incident
• Joey’s experience with trauma from Parkland and burnout as a new teacher
• The healing power of music, narrative, and mindful practices in education
• Techniques like “5 Finger Meditation” and using music frequencies for calming classrooms
• The mission of Classroom Narratives, Healing in Education podcast

Joey Weisler is an educator and podcast host known for his work focusing on trauma-informed education. As the creator and host of the podcast Classroom Narratives: Healing in Education, Weisler explores how teachers can support their own and their students' mental well-being through stories, empathy, and resilience. His approach is informed by his experiences dealing with educational challenges, teacher burnout, and the importance of using vulnerability and narrative to foster a supportive classroom environment. Weisler is also involved in initiatives addressing school trauma and has previously contributed writing related to the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School community, where he has been a part of its support and remembrance efforts following the 2018 tragedy.

Links: https://rss.com/podcasts/teachertestimony/

IG: @classroomnarrativespodcast, @throneintheclassroom

In this insightful episode of Band Director Boot Camp, Lesley Moffat welcomes Lynn Brinckmeyer—a music educator, advocate, and life coach with an impressive career spanning state and national leadership. Lynn shares her journey from being a clarinet player to becoming a national advocate for music education, along with valuable strategies from her books like Wander the World with Warm-Ups and Advocate for Music.

This conversation covers how advocacy starts in the classroom and the power of making students, parents, and administrators your biggest supporters. Lesley and Lynn also explore practical ways to increase student recruitment and retention while sharing a few fun anecdotes (yes, snacks are a recruitment tool!). Lynn’s passion for music education and mentoring continues as she discusses her transition into life coaching and leadership development.

Key Topics Covered:

• Lynn’s music advocacy journey, including testifying on Capitol Hill
• Practical strategies to engage students, parents, and administrators in music advocacy
• The importance of visibility and recruiting through positive experiences
• Creative ways to retain students by making them active advocates for your program
• How snacks and fun events like “Band Buddies” can build community in your program
• Lynn's transition into life coaching and mentoring music educators

Resources Mentioned:

• Advocate for Music: 90 Strategies to Support Music Programs
• Links to state and national music education sites for advocacy materials
• Information about the Empowered Music Educator Academy

Don't miss this engaging episode packed with practical advice and fun moments!

Brinckmeyer Enterprises Website

https://brinckmeyer-enterprises.com/

Music Advocacy:

NAfME Advocacy Resources

https://nafme.org/advocacy/

NAMM SupportMusic Coalition

https://www.nammfoundation.org/what-we-do/support-music-coalition

Advocate for Music

https://global.oup.com/us/companion.websites/9780190219154/

Books to help Band Directors who teach choir and/or general music:

Wander the World with Warm Ups

https://www.halleonard.com/product-family/PC23777/wander-the-world-with-warm-ups

Wander the USA with Warm Ups

https://www.halleonard.com/product-family/PC21955/wander-the-usa-with-warm-ups

Rhythm Rescue

https://www.halleonard.com/product/35031313/rhythm-rescue

The Wonder of Music

https://www.halleonard.com/product-family/PC23218/the-wonder-of-music