ATLANTIC CITY, NJ -- Zeswitz Music today announced Keith Hodgson has joined the company as Director of Education - New Jersey.

I read a saying in graduate school that classified teachers as either sculptors or gardeners. The sculptor molded students into masterpieces, while the gardener added nutrients to the "roots" to help students grow and blossom into their potentials. It was shortly after reading that saying over 24 years ago, that I began my “gardening career.” 

Colonel Lowell Graham spoke at the PMEA D-11 and D-12 Professional Development Conference on the topic of leadership, titled: The Whisperer, With Homage to Cesar Milan and Other Leadership Concepts. In that presentation, he discussed the pack mentality of dogs in relation to the trainer-similarly to leadership in music education. And it brought to mind the Rudyard Kipling quote: “the strength of the pack is the wolf and the strength of the wolf is the pack”. It also has an application not only to leadership, but also to overall music department dynamics...

Many educators have started the school year feeling refreshed and excited to create new learning opportunities for their students.  Along with this comes the chance to upgrade how things have been done in the past in designing better lessons and musical experiences.  

Zeswitz Music has been named a Top 100 Dealer in the world by the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM). NAMM, a not-for-profit organization comprised of approximately 10,300 member companies located throughout 87 countries, promotes the pleasures and benefits of making music to people of all ages.

The Top 100 Dealer Award is an “honor and a privilege of which we are so proud,” says Zeswitz owner Randy Shayler. 

One of the goals of the Danielson Framework for Teaching used by many districts for teacher evaluation was to create a common language for its users.  Many teachers and administrators have been speaking this new language over the past few years during pre- and post-observation conferences.  Some schools have expanded the use of this language to PLC groups, where teachers meet to discuss student data and learning.  These areas can provide pathways to teacher and student growth.

Zeswitz Music welcomes another expert to the team: Sonya Hoffman, Strings Specialist. A music teacher for the North Penn School District in Hatfield, PA, Hoffman will serve Zeswitz Music by reviewing instruments for their sales stock, improving their rental fleet, researching potential whole-sale companies, and according to Hoffman, “helping students find really great instruments that are perfect for their needs.” Hoffman, a viola and violin player by trade, claims “Work? This isn’t work. It’s my passion.”