It’s been a while, but I’ve been busy with school and work since January. For the past two months, I worked with a company that does reports to the National Assessment for Educational Progress, the organization that produces the national report card. I traveled throughout Washington and assessed 4th, 8th, and 12th graders in Reading and math. It was so much fun seeing all the different schools and knowing that my efforts affect something so important. I hope to do this again in 2 years but it depends on where my life takes me.

I’ve also been working on my dissertation since January. I’m currently in the middle of chapter 3 of 5, and it’s going really well. I’ll be looking at the sustainability of music education in Title I elementary schools at a school district here in Washington. I should start my study in May or at the end of May. Hopefully, I can find enough teachers and administrators who can participate in my study.

Beyond that, I’ve been networking with others in my field and learning lots of exciting things in the area of rhythm and literacy. I’m looking forward to earning my PhD and seeing what research opportunities await me.