Meet Jennifer Shaw, Our Education Consultant

Hello!  I’m Jennifer Shaw, writing to you most often from Warsaw, Poland, where I currently teach PreK–5 music at the American School of Warsaw. Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, I taught at an independent school there for nearly 20 years before moving abroad. I hold three levels of Orff Certification, the Orff Curriculum Masterclass, and one level of Kodály.  Along the way, I’ve been fortunate to publish a few things and to be recognized as a Spotlight recipient by the American Center for Elemental Music and Movement.

I know the questions that fill a music teacher’s day—How do I keep students engaged?  What routines make ensemble work smoother?  What repertoire will spark both joy and growth?  I’ve asked them myself countless times, in Cleveland, in China, and now in Poland.  Teaching in so many different places has shown me both the universal challenges and the endless creative possibilities of our work.

No matter the country or culture, children share a remarkable ability to approach the world with wonder, creativity, and an instinct for what is truly beautiful.  They love to create, explore, improvise, and play. Kids instinctively recognize beauty when they encounter it—often pausing to see if I noticed the same moment of magic.  These small reminders of beauty and simplicity are what drew me to teaching elementary music in the first place.

So whether you’re searching for classroom management ideas, repertoire suggestions, or simply reassurance that you’re not alone in the ups and downs of teaching, I’m here.  Teaching is always a learning journey, and I’m glad to share what I’ve discovered along the way—and to keep learning alongside you.