A Conversation with Pamela Dawson - 2023 Music Educator of the Year

Teacher Stories

As the 2023 Grammy Award-winning Music Educator of the Year, Pamela Dawson has made it her mission to harness the power of music to connect students with diverse backgrounds and skill levels. With over 27 years of experience in teaching, Dawson has learned to create a safe and nurturing environment for her students, fostering a strong sense of community and belonging. "I think the most important thing is relationships...The students have to buy into you before you can give them anything," Dawson says. "My goal has never been to make performers. It's to change lives." Dawson's innovative approach focuses on kinesthetic learning, a deep understanding of lyrics, and cultivating the relationship between music and the human experience. In this episode, you will: 1) Discover the impact of music education for learning, connections with stories, and personal growth; 2) hear from two of Dawson's former students; and, 3) enjoy listening to the powerful and soulful singing of her student choirs.