I started work on my doctorate degree at National University in 2021. Today, I’m finishing up one of my last classes. I have four more after this one, and then I start my comprehensive exam and then my dissertation.

I wanted to pursue my PhD to give me more credibility in the K12 education world, but I’ve learned quite a bit as I’ve researched music’s connection in literacy. I knew my overall goal was to explore the linkage of music to literacy, but as expected, my professors have told me to NARROW it down.

What I’ve discovered, that has really fascinated me, is that in general, most dyslexic students can’t keep a beat. So, the supposition is if these students can be taught to keep a beat, their reading might improve.

Since then, I’ve been learning more about educational tech in the music classroom and ways to integrate music ed into the ELA classroom. Now, I might explore the concept of greater inclusion of music ed in ELA. I don’t know what that dissertation topic might look like, but I’m excited as I near my culmination project.