Are you ready to take your music teaching to the next level? Developing SMART goals is just the way to do it. The SMART method is a straightforward tool to help you create achievable goals to reach your highest potential as a teacher.
In this guide, we’ll take a look at 13 SMART goals examples for music teachers. You can use these as inspiration to create your own goals and prepare for excellence.
But it’s important to understand what SMART goals are and what makes them so effective. Let’s dive in.
What is a SMART Goal?
Crafting SMART goals is an effective strategy to propel success in your music teaching career. SMART is an acronym for specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-based.
Here’s how you can apply each element to your profession:
Specific
The more detailed your goals, the higher your chances of achieving them. Instead of vaguely wanting to improve as a teacher, identify precise aspects you want to work on.
For instance, you may aim to expand your repertoire knowledge by 20% within the following 6 months. This specificity will guide your action plan.
Measurable
Having tangible metrics to gauge your progress is crucial. Avoid setting obscure targets; instead, make them quantifiable. For example, you might aim to “master 10 new pieces every month” or “achieve a student performance improvement rate of 95%.”
Attainable
While it’s inspiring to have big dreams, you must be realistic when setting goals. Take into account the resources, time, and skills at your disposal. Setting achievable goals ensures you don’t set yourself up for failure and helps maintain your motivation.
Relevant
Ensure your goals align with your overarching vision and mission as a music teacher. Reflect on why you’re setting these goals and how they contribute to your long-term career growth. This reflection will bring clarity to your larger aspirations in life.
Time-Based
Establish a concrete timeline for accomplishing your targets. Without a time-bound parameter, goals risk losing momentum and being perpetually deferred. Setting a deadline cultivates a sense of urgency and holds you accountable throughout your journey.
13 SMART Goals Examples for Music Teachers
1. Boost Student Performance in Music Theory
“Students will improve their music theory knowledge and skills by at least 15% during the upcoming semester. They will achieve this goal by completing weekly activities and class assignments and participating in group projects.”
Specific: This goal sets out the expectation that students will improve their music theory knowledge by 15%.
Measurable: Monitor student progress and comprehension of material with frequent assessments.
Attainable: With consistent effort from the students and support from their teachers, this goal is feasible.
Relevant: Music theory knowledge is essential for students to further their understanding of music.
Time-based: The timeline for accomplishing success is one semester.
2. Develop Positive Student-Teacher Relationships
“Within two months, I’ll build positive relationships with my students by regularly engaging in conversations, showing genuine interest in their academic progress, and responding quickly to their concerns. That will encourage them to take ownership of their learning process.”
Specific: The SMART goal is explicit as it outlines nurturing positive student-teacher relationships.
Measurable: You could measure the level of positive relationships built with each student within two months.
Attainable: Teachers can prioritize building positive relationships with their students in two months.
Relevant: This focuses on developing positive student-teacher relationships necessary for effective learning.
Time-based: Goal attainment is expected over the two months ahead.
3. Expand the School’s Music Library
“By the end of this school year, I’ll have added 10 new pieces to our music library. This will help create a more diverse learning environment for my students and give them more opportunities to explore different genres.”
Specific: The plan is to strengthen the music library by adding 10 new pieces.
Measurable: This can be evaluated by the number of new pieces in the library.
Attainable: Adding 10 pieces is an achievable goal that will still significantly increase the library’s size.
Relevant: A more extensive music library equals more chances to explore different genres, which benefits your students.
Time-based: A deadline of one school year has been set to meet the goal.
4. Improve Music Appreciation Among Students
“I want to create an online music appreciation course incorporating different musical styles and influences. By the end of the semester, I will have 80% of my students able to explain how different musical genres worldwide are connected.”
Specific: The music teacher wants to create an online appreciation course connecting musical styles and influences.
Measurable: At the end of the semester, determine if 80% of students can explain the connections between musical genres worldwide.
Attainable: This is doable if given the resources and time required to complete the course.
Relevant: The statement is appropriate for a teacher wanting to improve music appreciation among their students.
Time-based: There is a timeline to reach the goal by the end of the semester.
5. Provide Students With Instrumental Coaching
“The music teacher will provide all their students with regular individual or group coaching sessions throughout the year. They will work on developing instrumental skills by providing resources and practice materials to each student.”
Specific: The specific statement details the activity and provides student resources.
Measurable: Track each student’s progress by recording their performance in each coaching session.
Attainable: By providing resources and practice materials, the music teacher can help their students improve.
Relevant: Instrumental coaching is vital for teaching students to learn an instrument.
Time-based: You have a one-year window to attain optimal success.
6. Introduce Different Types of Musical Styles
“I’ll strive to introduce my students to different musical styles over four months. This includes assigning and listening to music from genres such as classical, jazz, Broadway, and folk music.”
Specific: This SMART goal explains what students will learn about and for how long.
Measurable: Evaluate progress by noting students’ responses and understanding of musical styles.
Attainable: Introducing different types of musical styles to students in a four-month time frame is feasible with proper planning and instruction.
Relevant: Exposing students to different musical styles allows them to become more well-rounded musicians.
Time-based: The completion of this goal is expected after four months.
7. Encourage More Participation in School Bands
“I will promote the involvement of more students in school bands by increasing students’ access to music equipment and resources. After a year, I want at least 10% more of my students to be enrolled in band programs than last year.”
Specific: The goal states the objective, what will be done to reach it, and the deadline.
Measurable: You could look at enrollment numbers for band programs over time.
Attainable: This is possible because it expands access to music equipment and resources.
Relevant: Music teachers should strive to increase student involvement in band programs.
Time-based: One whole year is required to achieve the desired result.
8. Teach Students How to Read Music
“I’ll teach my students how to read music for the next 6 months. I hope to introduce them to all the basics, such as note values and symbols, time signatures, scales, and keys.”
Specific: This goal outlines what to do (teach students how to read music) and for how long (6 months).
Measurable: You could count the number of classes or lessons taught and the progress made by each student.
Attainable: Teaching students how to read music is absolutely doable in 6 months.
Relevant: This pertains to music teaching and the development of students’ musical ability.
Time-based: You have a 6-month end date to achieve the SMART goal.
9. Integrate Technology Into Music Education
“For this school year, I’ll integrate technology into my music classes by incorporating at least three digital tools and resources into each lesson. I will also create two videos to demonstrate how these digital tools can be used in class and share them with my students.”
Specific: You have precise actions available: incorporating three digital tools and resources and creating two videos.
Measurable: Ensure you integrate at least three digital tools in each lesson and create the promised two videos.
Attainable: Integrating technology into education is a fairly accessible goal for a music teacher.
Relevant: This goal relates to your priority of integrating technology into music classes.
Time-based: You should anticipate goal attainment within a school year.
10. Promote Creative Expression
“The teacher wants to create opportunities for students to explore musical expression through classes and workshops. Within two months, they will offer at least 5 free-of-charge classes or workshops focusing on creative musical exploration.”
Specific: This states what is necessary to achieve it, the type of class and workshop that should be provided, and the frequency.
Measurable: You could track how many classes or workshops are offered each month.
Attainable: It is possible to provide 5 classes or workshops free of charge.
Relevant: Music teachers are essential in exploring, teaching, and promoting creative expression.
Time-based: You have two months to complete the SMART statement.
11. Organize Field Trips to Musical Theatres
“I want to organize two field trips for my students to local musical theatres this school year. These will include visits to the theatre’s backstage areas, rehearsal studios, and other interesting building parts.”
Specific: The teacher has identified the action and timeline for when it will be completed.
Measurable: Make sure four field trips are organized and completed after a year.
Attainable: The goal of organizing two field trips to musical theatres is realistic.
Relevant: This relates directly to the music teacher’s job as it enables them to provide their students with an educational experience outside the classroom.
Time-based: Achievement of the goal is expected after one school year.
12. Introduce Music History to Students
“To ensure that my students are exposed to the history of music, I plan to incorporate music history into the curriculum by the end of three months. That will provide a comprehensive look at how music has evolved over time.”
Specific: The goal is well-defined, stating the overall objective and how it will be met.
Measurable: Tests can be given to measure students’ understanding of music history.
Attainable: This is feasible by researching and incorporating existing resources into the curriculum.
Relevant: Understanding the history of music is essential for students to appreciate and understand its evolution.
Time-based: There is a three-month time frame to accomplish the goal.
13. Create Specialized Programs for Gifted Students
“I want to create specialized programs for gifted music students by the end of the school year. That includes offering advanced classes, in-depth seminars, and summer programs. I’ll collaborate with the school administration to create a curriculum and budget for the program.”
Specific: The individual aims to create specialized programs for gifted students in music by the end of the school year.
Measurable: Follow the required steps to create a curriculum and budget for the program.
Attainable: This is doable because they’re taking the initiative to collaborate with school administrators to make the program a reality.
Relevant: The statement is applicable because it allows gifted students to pursue higher levels of musical education.
Time-based: You have an end date of one school year to succeed.
Final Thoughts
These 13 SMART goals examples for music teachers provide an effective starting point for goal setting. With a clear path laid out, teachers can pursue their goals with confidence.
As they continue to develop their skills, they can create new SMART statements that target specific areas of improvement. By doing this, teachers will continue to impact their students positively.
Finally, music teachers should never forget to take time for themselves to relax and reflect on their successes. That could give them the clarity needed to set even more ambitious goals as they continue their journey.
