Joseph L. Carson
2500 Vantage Dr., Apt. 439 | Woodbridge, Virginia 22191 | 571-648-7590 | carsonleonj@gmail.com
I am an educational professional who is driven to create an environment that promotes hands-on learning. I believe in teaching music fundamentals to lead students to mastery and to give them the tools they need to enter lifelong learning.
EMPLOYMENT SUMMARY
● 8 years’ elementary general music experience in vocal music, guitar, Orff instruments, and world drums
● 14 years’ middle school experience in beginning band, concert band, string class, exploratory music, and general music
● 16 years’ high school experience in marching band, concert band, symphonic band, jazz band, music appreciation, music theory piano lab, guitar, and sound engineering, and digital music
ACTIVE CERTIFICATIONS
Virginia: Music K-12, Expires 2030; District of Columbia: Music PreK-12, Expires 2023; Texas: Music K-12, Expires Life.
CAREER EXPERIENCE
2020-Pres. – Martin Luther King, Jr. Elementary School, Washington, D.C.
Key Achievements:
● Presented a remote synchronous general music program using QuaverEd Online and Microsoft TEAMS
● Used Seesaw, Canvas, PlayPosit, Camtasia, Microsoft 365, Adobe Premiere Pro, Soundtrap, and Adobe Audition to create media assets
● I teach the PreK3-4 and K-5 general music classes, including chorus, guitars, Orff instruments, and digital music
● Created a method to accelerate student learning to the highest level of performance and attended the district performing arts festival (DCPAF) at the Kennedy Center
● Designed a classroom music site to help students practice from home and keep parents informed
● SY21-22 worked as a Curriculum Institute Fellow (CI Fellow) and created three digital extension lessons to complement the district cornerstone offerings
2019-2020 – TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION, Adams Middle School, Tampa, FL
Key Achievements:
● Program lead responsible for Fundamentals of Manufacturing, VEX IQ Robotics, VEXcode VR (Virtual Robotics), and 3D Modeling
2016-2019 – MUSIC TEACHER, Midtown Academy for Cultural Arts – St. Petersburg, FL
Key Achievements:
● Implemented Orff instruments and a guitar program for elementary school
● Elevate ARTS Grant Cadre Training Group
● Students attended the annual Florida Orchestra Youth Concert (TFO)
● Technology in Music Education (TI:ME) Certification I and II (Instructors, Floyd Richmond and Mike Lawson)
2014-2016 – MS BAND DIRECTOR, Kernan Middle School - Jacksonville, FL
Key Achievements:
● Devised a method of classroom instruction that facilitated the large classroom (from 30 to 60 students per class), while maintaining rigor and significantly increasing end-of-course exam scores
● Performed one outdoor pep-rally and two annual concerts
2013-2014 – SUBSTITUTE TEACHER, Pinellas County Schools - Largo, FL
Key Achievements
● Implemented teacher plans to maintain a seamless learning experience during teacher absence
2010-2013 – HS Band Director, Hillsborough County Schools – Tampa, FL
Key Achievements:
● Marching Band and Concert Band. Expanded instrumental music training for beginning, intermediate, and advanced band students in grades 9-12 by including Class Guitar to attract new students
● Implemented a real-world approach to sound engineering and reinforcement through the exploration of the digital audio workstation (DAW) in a production and post-production setting
2008-2010 – HS BAND DIRECTOR, Luther Burbank High School - Sacramento, CA
Key Achievements:
● Accelerated instrumental music training for grades 9-12 to increase participation in advanced band from twelve to sixty players in two years
● Disseminated student roles and student responsibilities for the success of the band program
● Spring concert appearance at the Westfield Downtown Plaza Mall
2007-2008 – HS BAND DIRECTOR, Reno High School - Reno, NV
Key Achievements:
● Host of the district solo-ensemble contest
● Performed at all home football and basketball games
● Attended four marching band contests, the district jazz band contest, winter percussion circuit tour
● Planned and organized a three-hundred student pyramid spring concert
2004-2007 – HS BAND DIRECTOR, Carson HS/Fremont HS - Carson, CA
Key Achievements:
● Supported the annual Veterans Day ceremonies in Carson, California with patriotic music and a parade of colors
● Received one of the coveted awards for the Los Angeles Martin Luther King Day Parade
● Recipient of the USC Thelonious Monk Jazz Institute tutoring program
2000-2004 – MS BAND DIRECTOR, Sarah Zumwalt Middle School - Dallas, TX
Key Achievements:
● Constructed and networked computers using salvaged parts to create an in-class music technology lab to enhance the student’s musical experience
● Developed and tailored practice tracks for home use, which heightened the student’s individual practice experience
● I taught beginning bands, concert band, string ensemble, and exploratory music
1998-2000 – HS BAND DIRECTOR/MS BAND DIRECTOR, Memphis City Schools, Memphis, TN
● Presented “Fun with Music Technology” to help kids experience the music
● I taught woodwind, brass class, and percussion classes.
1997-1998 – HS ASST. BAND DIRECTOR, Parkview Arts & Science Magnet – Little Rock, AR
Key Achievements:
● Returned to assist predecessor in running the program during his unsuccessful bout with a terminal disease
● I taught the freshman music theory/piano labs, conducted the pit orchestra for the school musical, and taught the concert and marching bands
1996-1997 – MS BAND DIRECTOR, W.A. Meacham Middle School – Fort Worth, TX
Key Achievements:
● Division II at Sandy Lake Music Festival, Carrollton, TX
● I taught the beginning brass, woodwind class, and percussion class for grades 6-8
1995-1996 – MS BAND DIRECTOR, Hamilton Middle School - Memphis, TN
Key Achievements:
● Integrated technology and multimedia presentations into the daily lessons followed by personalized lessons to meet the individual needs of each student using MIDI technology
● I taught the beginning band, concert band, and music appreciation classes
1993-1995 – HS BAND DIRECTOR, Parkview Arts & Science HS/McClellan HS – Little Rock, AR
Key Achievements:
● Host of the Arkansas Invitational State Marching Band Contest, which enrolled thirty-six marching bands in the general and a ten-band final round at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock, AR
● I taught the freshman music theory piano lab, conducted the pit orchestra for the school musical, and taught the concert, marching, and symphonic bands
1990-1993 – HS BAND DIRECTOR, P.L. Dunbar Engineering Magnet - Fort Worth, TX
Key Achievements:
● Transformed the traditional marching band into a corps-style band
● Improved the marching band assessment scores from Division IV to Division II during tenure
● I taught the concert band, marching band, string ensemble, music appreciation, and jazz ensemble
● Took part in the Fort Worth Mexican Independence and the Martin Luther King Day Parade
1988-1990 – CITY BAND DIRECTOR, Dermott School District, Dermott, AR
Key Achievements:
· I served as the city band director for the upper-elementary general music, 6th grade beginning band, middle school concert band, high school concert and marching bands
1987-1988 – GRADUATE ASSISTANT, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR
Key Achievements:
● Recorded and delivered the University Concert Series to the National Public Radio, university broadcast station and to the university library music archive
● I taught the elementary major’s piano skills course
1985-1987 – HS BAND DIRECTOR (PSSD), Joe T. Robinson Senior High, Little Rock, AR
Key Achievements:
● Captured marching band trophy from rival Oak Grove High School during marching band extravaganza
● Implemented a high level of musical excellence in the marching program
● I taught the beginning band, concert band, marching band, percussion class, and auxiliary class
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Science in Music Education, Instrumental
UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS – Fayetteville, AR
20 hours of graduate work in Music Education, Instrumental
UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS – Fayetteville, AR
Master of Science, Instructional Design & Technology
PURDUE UNIVERSITY GLOBAL– Indianapolis, IN
Master of Science, Educational Media Design and Technology
FULL SAIL UNIVERSITY ONLINE – Winter Park, FL
PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
● National Association for Music Education
● American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP)
● TI:ME Certified (Technology in Music Education)
PERSONAL INTERESTS AND HOBBIES
I enjoy riding my bike, taking long walks to enjoy nature, listening to music, and reading
HONORABLE MILITARY SERVICE
Military Occupation: Trumpet/Baritone Player
106TH Army National Guard Band
Military Occupation: Marine (03)
Marine Company I, 3rd Battalion,
23rd Marine Division