About Me
Hello! My name is Ms. Van Eaton and I am Darnell Elementary School's music teacher. I also conduct the Darnell Choir and help with the school yearbook. I've been at Darnell since late 2005 and I've been with the Clark County School District since July of 2004. My favorite part about teaching music is the fun-factor. I truly believe that my job is the best available. Where else would someone pay you to play instruments, dance, play games, and have fun? And while there are many challenges, this position is truly the best in the world!
Having not had music classes when I was a child, I know how much I missed. Aside from the occasional talent show, I did not have opportunity to sing, play instruments, dance, and move creatively to music within the school system and my family couldn't afford lessons outside of it. It is my goal to see that all my students receive a music education tailored to their needs that allows them to explore, create, and move in ways that I never had the chance.
I hold my Bachelor's Degree in Music Education from Grace College in Indiana. I am fully certified through the National Association for Orff Schulwerk (AOSA). I also hold my Master's of Science in Education through Walden University with a specialization in Integrating Technology into the Classroom. I completed my Certificate in Technological Innovations in Teaching and Learning through Southern Utah University in 2016. I am a current and active member of the Nevada's Desert Valley Chapter of AOSA and the Las Vegas Urban Chapter of Kodaly Educators.
I formerly sat on the board of the Nevada's Desert Valley Chapter of AOSA chapter which provides world-class professional development for Las Vegas area music teachers in addition to scholarships for further training. I am very active with Darnell Elementary PTA. I even sat on the board for several years as Liaison, Secretary, Treasurer, and President. In my spare time I like to read, crochet, and paper craft.
Having not had music classes when I was a child, I know how much I missed. Aside from the occasional talent show, I did not have opportunity to sing, play instruments, dance, and move creatively to music within the school system and my family couldn't afford lessons outside of it. It is my goal to see that all my students receive a music education tailored to their needs that allows them to explore, create, and move in ways that I never had the chance.
I hold my Bachelor's Degree in Music Education from Grace College in Indiana. I am fully certified through the National Association for Orff Schulwerk (AOSA). I also hold my Master's of Science in Education through Walden University with a specialization in Integrating Technology into the Classroom. I completed my Certificate in Technological Innovations in Teaching and Learning through Southern Utah University in 2016. I am a current and active member of the Nevada's Desert Valley Chapter of AOSA and the Las Vegas Urban Chapter of Kodaly Educators.
I formerly sat on the board of the Nevada's Desert Valley Chapter of AOSA chapter which provides world-class professional development for Las Vegas area music teachers in addition to scholarships for further training. I am very active with Darnell Elementary PTA. I even sat on the board for several years as Liaison, Secretary, Treasurer, and President. In my spare time I like to read, crochet, and paper craft.
Frequently Asked Questions
WHAT IS ORFF SCHULWERK AND WHY DO YOU TEACH IT?
Orff-Schulwerk is an internationally accepted approach to musically educating children in a group setting. This approach was developed by famous composer and educator, Carl Orff. "Schulwerk" is a German word meaning ‘work for the school.' Today, the Orff-Schulwerk approach is widely used by music educators in private and public schools throughout the United States and the world.
Orff music classes implement all the elements of music -- melody, rhythm, harmony, form, and texture. Orff involves many things that children like to do: sing, chant, play games, dance, move, dramatize, improvise, and play the recorder and other unpitched and pitched percussion instruments. It is when these elements are combined in a group experience that the true magic of Orff unfolds.
This ‘hands-on' approach is based on the idea that children learn best by doing. The child is not the spectator, listening and singing along with a record or teacher-provided accompaniment. Rather, the child is the participant, not only making the music, but being involved in the process of creative expression. Orff is child-centered and based on the premise that experience precedes conceptual learning. The elements of music are less abstract to a child when he or she is actively engaged in creating and performing the music.
See my Curriculum & Music Class Page for further information.
ARE THERE MUSIC STANDARDS THAT YOU TEACH?
Yes! Oh, yes! One thing that you will notice right away about the standards in our school district is that they build upon each other year after year. Another thing that you will notice is that the standards require participation within the music classroom for students to be able to perform each standard to grade level.
Please see my Standards Page if you would like to see the music standards, grading scale, and other related information to how students are evaluated on these standards.
WHAT DOES MY CHILD NEED TO SUCCEED IN YOUR CLASS?
This is an easy question. Every child needs an open mind. They need to participate to learn and be open to learn new things. Sometimes students don't want to participate because of misconceptions they bring with them. They may have learned these misconceptions from television or the media, but sometimes they learn them from home too.
HOW DO YOU GRADE STUDENTS?
Excellent question. Students earn their grades in my classroom. In addition, the grade is not subjective -- but it is based on the grade-level music standards. Please see my Grading Page for further details.
WHAT IS A RECORDER, WHY DO YOU TEACH IT, AND HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
The recorder is an instrument belonging to the woodwind family. It has holes for seven fingers and one hole for the thumb of the left hand.
While it is most thought of as a child's instrument, the recorder is played across the world by many excellent players who demonstrate the instrument's full potential as a solo instrument.
We use the recorder to teach music reading of the treble clef, finger dexterity, and preparation for middle school band instruments. The recorder prepares the student's body, mouth, hands, and fingers for playing orchestral instruments.
It is best that each student have their own soprano recorder. This allows them the option to practice at home.. Recorders come in a variety of makes and models. I strongly suggest that you do not purchase a toy recorder, as students need to play on an instrument that will allow them to be successful.
I recommend the purchase of an Angel Halo Recorder. It comes with its own vinyl zippered carrying case, cleaning wand, fingering chart, joint grease, and around-the-neck holder. I sell them in my classroom as part of our fundraiser to raise money to repair and maintain our classroom instruments.
Orff-Schulwerk is an internationally accepted approach to musically educating children in a group setting. This approach was developed by famous composer and educator, Carl Orff. "Schulwerk" is a German word meaning ‘work for the school.' Today, the Orff-Schulwerk approach is widely used by music educators in private and public schools throughout the United States and the world.
Orff music classes implement all the elements of music -- melody, rhythm, harmony, form, and texture. Orff involves many things that children like to do: sing, chant, play games, dance, move, dramatize, improvise, and play the recorder and other unpitched and pitched percussion instruments. It is when these elements are combined in a group experience that the true magic of Orff unfolds.
This ‘hands-on' approach is based on the idea that children learn best by doing. The child is not the spectator, listening and singing along with a record or teacher-provided accompaniment. Rather, the child is the participant, not only making the music, but being involved in the process of creative expression. Orff is child-centered and based on the premise that experience precedes conceptual learning. The elements of music are less abstract to a child when he or she is actively engaged in creating and performing the music.
See my Curriculum & Music Class Page for further information.
ARE THERE MUSIC STANDARDS THAT YOU TEACH?
Yes! Oh, yes! One thing that you will notice right away about the standards in our school district is that they build upon each other year after year. Another thing that you will notice is that the standards require participation within the music classroom for students to be able to perform each standard to grade level.
Please see my Standards Page if you would like to see the music standards, grading scale, and other related information to how students are evaluated on these standards.
WHAT DOES MY CHILD NEED TO SUCCEED IN YOUR CLASS?
This is an easy question. Every child needs an open mind. They need to participate to learn and be open to learn new things. Sometimes students don't want to participate because of misconceptions they bring with them. They may have learned these misconceptions from television or the media, but sometimes they learn them from home too.
HOW DO YOU GRADE STUDENTS?
Excellent question. Students earn their grades in my classroom. In addition, the grade is not subjective -- but it is based on the grade-level music standards. Please see my Grading Page for further details.
WHAT IS A RECORDER, WHY DO YOU TEACH IT, AND HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
The recorder is an instrument belonging to the woodwind family. It has holes for seven fingers and one hole for the thumb of the left hand.
While it is most thought of as a child's instrument, the recorder is played across the world by many excellent players who demonstrate the instrument's full potential as a solo instrument.
We use the recorder to teach music reading of the treble clef, finger dexterity, and preparation for middle school band instruments. The recorder prepares the student's body, mouth, hands, and fingers for playing orchestral instruments.
It is best that each student have their own soprano recorder. This allows them the option to practice at home.. Recorders come in a variety of makes and models. I strongly suggest that you do not purchase a toy recorder, as students need to play on an instrument that will allow them to be successful.
I recommend the purchase of an Angel Halo Recorder. It comes with its own vinyl zippered carrying case, cleaning wand, fingering chart, joint grease, and around-the-neck holder. I sell them in my classroom as part of our fundraiser to raise money to repair and maintain our classroom instruments.
Ms. Van Eaton can be reached at Darnell Elementary during normal business hours.
(702) 799-6630 Ext. 3023 Email Ms. Van Eaton
(702) 799-6630 Ext. 3023 Email Ms. Van Eaton