🎻 Episode #122 — The Orchestra Teacher Podcast

Guests: Daryl Silberman & Matthew White, Orchestra Directors at Scullen Middle School (Naperville, IL)

In this energizing episode, Dr. Charles Laux welcomes the incredible teaching duo Daryl Silberman and Matthew White, who have transformed the Scullen Middle School orchestra program through collaboration, creativity, and a deep commitment to student belonging.

Daryl and Matt share how their unique team-teaching model brings out the best in both teachers and students—using humor, trust, and complementary strengths to create a vibrant, inclusive learning environment. They discuss:

✨ Building a positive classroom culture

✨ Their “Habits of Mind” system that fosters kindness and responsibility

✨ Creating a space where every student sees themselves represented

✨ Improvisation, electric strings, and developing creativity

✨ Monthly “Be Curious,” “Do Something,” and “You Belong” calendars

✨ Special grade-level projects and identity-based music learning

✨ Innovative room setup (yes…they cut the backs off their chairs!)

✨ Grant writing, technology integration, and using AI for teaching

✨ The importance of trust, collaboration, and modeling artistic growth

Whether you team-teach or work solo, this episode is packed with ideas you can bring into your own orchestra room—insights that will inspire your teaching and nurture student connection.

🔗 Connect with Daryl and Matthew

Daryl: [email protected]

Matthew: [email protected]

https://www.instagram.com/scullenorchestra/

📚 Resources:

https://www.daryls.com

https://sites.google.com/ipsd.org/mrwscullenorchestra/home

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