Grooming isn’t always obvious. It’s a gradual process that can occur in many forms. Educators have a special responsibility to keep our spaces safe.

Power imbalances in schools can create dangerous situations, and veteran music teacher and voice coach Megan Farison knows this firsthand. In this episode, she shares her deeply personal journey through the complex realities of teacher-student relationships—how grooming happens, why boundaries matter, and what educators can do to create safer learning environments.

We discuss:

• How grooming can occur subtly in student-teacher dynamics

Why open conversations about safety and ethics are critical

Megan also introduces her book, Dissonance, which explores her experiences and the broader implications of inappropriate relationships in educational spaces. This is an essential episode for educators, parents, and students alike.

Tune in now on YouTube or your favorite podcast app!

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Tune in, and have your thinking stimulated and challenged. Then, weigh in yourself with your related ideas and experiences on Facebook in the Choralosophers group or over on choralosophy.substack.com Also, don’t forget to grab a reading rope for your classroom wall from the shop! Music Reading Rope

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Megan is a voice coach and choir director of nearly twenty years, having held positions at the elementary, secondary, and collegiate level. Her energetic teaching style incorporates a blend of vocal and choral pedagogy that empowers the individual singer as well as the ensemble. She has served as a district manager for Michigan School Vocal Music Association (MSVMA), Secretary of ACDA-Michigan, and President of the Central Michigan University Alumni Choir Association.

Megan is the Artistic Director and Founder of the Lux Women’s Choir (based in Midland, Michigan), and she hosts the podcast Sing, Coach, Conduct, which is currently in its third season. She is the author of the memoir, “Dissonance,” a deeply personal account of grooming and educator sexual abuse. Her mission is to raise awareness about abuses of power, in order to prevent educator sexual misconduct and protect potential targets of grooming and abuse.

Enter Choralosophy at Checkout for a 5% discount when you shop for folders, robes and other gear for your choir program! www.mymusicfolders.com and www.mychoirrobes.comMegan’s ResourcesDissonance, A Memoir – FREE PREVIEWDownloadThe Elephant Alliance

Duck, Duck, Groom

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Chapters

00:00 Megan’s Journey to Music Education
02:08 The Impact of Teacher-Student Relationships
05:04 Megan’s Personal Experience with Grooming
08:06 Understanding Grooming and Its Implications
10:53 The Realization of Abuse
14:03 The Complexity of Manipulation
16:58 Power Imbalances in Relationships
20:00 Navigating Trust and Safety
23:11 Stages of Grooming
24:32 Normalizing Inappropriate Behavior in Education
27:10 The Importance of Boundaries in Teacher-Student Relationships
29:32 Recognizing the Complexity of Student-Teacher Attraction
34:40 The Dangers of Favoritism and Emotional Manipulation
41:33 Creating a Safe Learning Environment
48:02 The Role of Accountability in Preventing Abuse
53:58 The Journey of Writing ‘Dissonance’ and Its Impact