Steve and Alan talk with Jennifer Williams about specific ways she has implemented Music Ed Insights into her high school instrumental music classroom, and how they’ve made a difference for students.
Links & References:
- www.ankenybands.com
- https://twitter.com/AnkenyBand
- The Midnight Library – Matt Haig
- Dear Stephanie – Jeremy Leidhecker
Currently in her nineteenth year of teaching, Jennifer Williams received a Bachelor in Music Education Cum Laude from Drake University in 2002, and a Masters in Music Education degree with honors from VanderCook College of Music in Chicago in 2010. She currently works as the lead director of bands at Ankeny High School.
At Ankeny High School, Mrs. Williams is director of the 11/12 concert band, Jazz Lab, the Marching Hawks, Jazz YTBN, and AP Music Theory instructor. Mrs. Williams also teaches woodwind lessons, primarily saxophone, to students in Ankeny’s south feeder program in grades 6-12 in their vertical teaching model.
Prior to teaching at Ankeny, Mrs. Williams taught at Saydel High School in Des Moines and West Central Valley High School in Stuart. Bands under Jennifer’s direction have earned division I ratings in concert band & marching band, served as an IBA clinic band, and have earned the Don Marcoullier Award at the Adventureland-Drake University Festival of Bands. Jennifer remains active as an adjudicator, clinician, and guest conductor across the state of Iowa.
Jennifer is a member of IBA, Jazz Educators of Iowa, IAAE, Women Band Directors International (WBDI), Sigma Alpha Iota Alumnae, and SCIBA. She is a past-president of SCIBA. Currently Jennifer serves as IBA co-exhibits chair and state representative for WBDI.
Outside of band, Jennifer enjoys being “Aunt Jen” to her six nephews, weightlifting, and spending time with her husband, Justin and dog, Atti.