Lorrie Heagy

What do you do?

I am Assistant Professor of Elementary Education at the University of Alaska Southeast College of Education. where I am leading the Elementary Education program and curriculum. In collaboration with colleagues from UAS Lorrie has been involved in the design of Tléix̱ʼ Yaakw (“One Canoe”): Lingít Language Learning through Music course, designed to support educators seeking to deepen their understanding of the Lingít language.

What is your background?

I have twenty years experience in the classroom and was honoured to have represented Alaska’s teachers as the 2011 Alaska Teacher of the Year. I am an adjunct professor at the University of Alaska Southeast, where I have taught MAT courses in elementary and secondary education emphasising differentiated learning, brain research, and arts integration. I have recently completed six months in the UK shadowing other Musical Futures Champion Teachers and attending Musical Futures workshops as part of my Fulbright Distinguished Teacher award.

My personal blog – sharing my experiences living in the UK from January – June 2019 as a Fulbright Distinguished Award in Teaching scholar can be found HERE

What are you most looking forward to working with Musical Futures on this programme?

When I was young I lost the confidence to improvise and create my own music. Now, years later and a classically-trained musician I donʼt want my student to have the same experience that I had. I am looking forward to integrating non-formal and informal practices into the structure of an American public school and a Sistema-inspired music room. This is the main reason why I conducted my Fulbright scholarship in the UK: to study the innovative learning approach of Musical Futures

Five Words that sum up Musical Futures

Engagement, enjoyment, democratic, practical, forward-thinking

What music are you listening to at the moment?

I enjoy listening to a wide range of musical genres!