Summary
Overview
Work history
Education
Skills
Accomplishments
Interests
Additional Information
Timeline
Generic
Colin McPhee

Colin McPhee

Kilmacolm,Inverclyde

Summary

As an experienced professional who has been adaptable to the changing work environment I have built positive relationships with both colleagues and pupils in the schools in which I have worked. I am an enthusiastic music teacher who plans, prepares and delivers highly interactive practical and listening lessons using practice-based approach. I work well as part of a team but can also work independently. I am flexible to the needs of individuals and communicate detailed feedback based on their progress. I prioritise student engagement and enjoyment by tailoring lessons to different abilities.

Overview

37
37
years of professional experience

Work history

Teacher of Music

Thurso High School
Thurso, Highland Council
10.1987 - 01.1992
  • School Consultative Group chairperson
  • Delivery of curriculum S1 - S6
  • Invitation to take part in SQA working group helping to pilot transition from Standard
  • Grade to Intermediate qualifications following inspectorate visit
  • Participation in extra curricular activities and involvement in Highland Region Youth choir.
  • Conductor of Caithness Orchestra and Musical Director for local theatre groups.
  • Tutor at Royal Schools of Church Music summer courses in St Andrew's.
  • I accompanied pupils on a school trip to the Czech Republic.
  • Taught students how to read and interpret musical notation.
  • Set clear expectations with students by agreeing on homework and inter-session practice.
  • Maintained safe and positive learning environments for students to comfortably ask questions.
  • Took care of equipment and rental items to maintain good working order.
  • Organised musical performances to showcase students' skills.
  • Analysed class progress and adjusted strategies to maintain growth and learning.
  • Stayed up-to-date on examination requirements to adequately prepare students for exams and practicals.
  • Monitored student progress regularly and addressed knowledge gaps.
  • Encouraged students to have fun and develop their own musical style.
  • Adopted practice-based approach when delivering classes.
  • Attended training and community events to broaden expertise and help students.
  • Collaborated with school administration to organise musical programmes for civic functions and school productions.
  • Revised, updated and modified course content to maintain relevancy and adapt courses to student needs.
  • Evaluated student performance and provided feedback and assistance to improve musical skills.
  • Arranged visits to musical performances to inspire students.
  • Assessed students' existing knowledge and abilities to tailor learning plans.
  • Assigned exercises for targeted practise based on students' ability, preferences and interests.
  • Provided overview of music history to provide context for learnings.
  • Demonstrated different techniques to guide students' practise.
  • Tailored curriculum to meet diverse student needs and learning styles.
  • Attended rehearsals to provide last-minute advice on musical performance.
  • Coached students in voice, tempo and rhythm excercises to promote strong foundational music skills.

Assistant Principal Teacher Rothesay

Argyll and Bute Council, Academy
Rothesay, Argyll and Bute
02.2001 - 04.2006
  • Delivery of Curriculum S1 - S6
  • Intermediate Qualifications and Higher
  • Musical director 'Grease' 'Anything Goes' 'High Society' and concerts within the school
  • Working with instrumental services and local network group as PT
  • Attendance at Hmie conference on good practice
  • Courses in Accelerated Learning, Positive Behavior Management, Assessment is for learning
  • Please detail the reason for leaving (if applicable):
  • Please detail the reason for leaving (if applicable): Furthering professional learning.
  • Administered personnel policies and procedures, approving any professional staff additions.
  • Helped educational programmes achieve greater performance objectives and standards.
  • Led and motivated teaching and support staff to continuously improve knowledge and abilities for optimum student education and support.
  • Spearheaded community fundraisers and cultivated partnerships to increase programme revenue.
  • Encouraged interdepartmental collaboration to develop and support student activities, programmes and lessons.
  • Analysed programme trends to identify areas of improvement and recommended corrective actions.
  • Kept institution financially sound by tracking expenses and maintaining detailed records.
  • Optimised student educational strategies with clear advice on course choices, progression and career options.
  • Expanded quality curriculum training to facilitate continued educated for teaching staff.
  • Monitored student behaviour and enforced discipline policies.
  • Built productive relationships with parents of students facing difficult situations at school or at home.
  • Conferred with educators to identify current classroom concerns and diversify instructional strategies.
  • Oversaw facilities and grounds maintenance, balancing budget and schedules against professional expectations and safety.
  • Modelled excellent leadership skills to promote positive interaction between teaching staff and students.
  • Performed diverse human resource activities, including hiring, training, disciplinary and termination in compliance with legal guidelines and requirements.
  • Oversaw schedule management, orientation and registration protocols and other administrative functions.
  • Established and optimised programme schedules to cover planned needs.
  • Used Microsoft Word and other software tools to create documents and clear communications.
  • Displayed energy and enthusiasm in fast-paced environment.

Teacher of music

Inverclyde Council
Port Glasgow, Inverclyde
02.2006 - 11.2018
  • Assigned exercises for targeted practise based on students' ability, preferences and interests.
  • Attended rehearsals to provide last-minute advice on musical performance.
  • Collaborated with students to identify and meet individual students' learning needs and goals.
  • Organised musical performances to showcase students' skills.
  • Instructed students at beginner level on practical aspects of playing musical instruments.
  • Prepared students for auditions, assessments and performances.
  • Provided overview of music history to provide context for learnings.
  • Sourced music, costumes and props for regular classes and special performances.
  • Revised, updated and modified course content to maintain relevancy and adapt courses to student needs.
  • Delivered lessons dedicated to music theory and practice.
  • Scheduled private classes for students weekly, adapting to holidays, cancellations and change of date and time requests.
  • Maintained safe and positive learning environments for students to comfortably ask questions.
  • Coached students in voice, tempo and rhythm excercises to promote strong foundational music skills.
  • Analysed class progress and adjusted strategies to maintain growth and learning.
  • Assessed students' existing knowledge and abilities to tailor learning plans.
  • Arranged visits to musical performances to inspire students.
  • Set clear expectations with students by agreeing on homework and inter-session practice.
  • Tailored curriculum to meet diverse student needs and learning styles.
  • Set personalised targets for pupils, communicating progress through regular parent correspondence.
  • Offered constructive criticism, feedback and advice to encourage and motivate students.
  • Updated documentation for school and student records.
  • Taught students how to read and interpret musical notation.
  • Outlined measurable goals to motivate student and instill sense of commitment.

Acting Principal Teacher Faculty of Creative Arts

Inverclyde Council
Port Glasgow, Inverclyde
07.2018 - 07.2020
  • Led and motivated teaching and support staff to continuously improve knowledge and abilities for optimum student education and support.
  • Kept institution financially sound by tracking expenses and maintaining detailed records.
  • Integrated approaches to modernise and streamline programme operations, maintaining financial solvency and improving student performance.

Teacher Of Music and Music Technology

Inverclyde Council
Port Glasgow, Inverclyde
08.2020 - 08.2024
  • Collaborated with school administration to organise musical programmes for civic functions and school productions.
  • Evaluated student performance and provided feedback and assistance to improve musical skills.
  • Attended rehearsals to provide last-minute advice on musical performance.

Education

Certificate of Education (primary curriculum) - Primary

Jordanhill College of Education
Glasgow
08.1985

Master of Arts - Music and Psychology

University of Glasgow
Glasgow
08.1982

PGCE - Secondary

Jordanhill College of Education
Glasgow
02.1992

Skills

  • Rehearsals
  • Learning enhancement
  • Extracurricular music activities
  • Personalised learning
  • Documentation development
  • Music history teaching
  • Relationship building
  • Recording equipment
  • Music theory knowledge
  • Classroom management
  • Proficient in [instrument]
  • Critical thinking
  • Differentiated instruction
  • Leadership
  • Problem-solving
  • Team building
  • Communication skills
  • Time management
  • Individual and group instruction
  • Instrumental auditions
  • Ensemble development
  • Behaviour management

Accomplishments

  • Several years experience of leading a department including through Covid 19 emergency and producing successful outcomes for young people.
  • Many former pupils going on to become teachers themselves.
  • Many former pupils securing places at The Royal Scottish Conservetoire.

Interests

  • I was involved in managing a large volume of evidence required for the presentation of pupils in music during the world pandemic. (N5, Higher and Advanced Higher) and music technology (N4,N5 and Higher).
  • In addition I created many assignments for pupil use during the online teaching phase at this time. I have adapted many resources to take account of changes to the music curriculum in order to engage learners and to cater for a wide range of ability levels.
  • I was appointed as the coordinator of music video teaching materials by West Partnership for Inverclyde and East Dunbartonshire for online teaching resources, creating units which covered a range of concepts at National 5 level and tutorials in creating music using technology.
  • I have created templates and logbooks for the use of pupils studying music technology and assessment materials for the understanding 20th / 21st century music units of this course enabling pupils to complete their assignments in time for submission. I have created many units of work for use within the BGE and my experience allows me to draw upon these as an when necessary.
  • I have developed units in Rock and Pop Music, Music Theory, Music and the Media, Musicals, Christmas unit and Jazz and Blues for S1 and S2. I have also created a course booklet for the teaching of keyboard, tuned percussion, guitar, bass guitar and drumkit to S1 and S2.
  • I have created a number of interactive lessons in listening where pupils are able to develop their awareness of music concepts.
  • I have developed a sequence of units in music technology. These units cover the music technology skills unit and are designed to prepare for the contexts which are used for the assignment in S4. The topics in this unit are cross curricular. 6/11The first unit is creating a podcast which will utilise Ableton Live software to manage files, write a script, research and download music files for a sound bed to the voice over and working with a partner to record the introduction to the podcast. Overdubbing the voice over on the music file. Extension work includes an interview with a partner. Pupils keep a log book of these tasks which has screen prints showing the processes which they have used. The second unit is multi tracking. Adding files to the multi track, panning the tracks. adding effects and mixing the song. The third unit is sound design for film, where pupils add media files to a video using video pad. Trimming the video, importing the media files and positioning them in the time frame I am constantly updating and adapting courses to reflect new resources which become available and to cater for a range of abilities and interest within music. I am also reviewing the latest software as it becomes available to further enable pupil access to these technologies. . , As a member of staff I have been fully engaged in the life of the school and committed to the school ethos and values. I have presented pupils at Inver Clyde Music Festival, school Christmas and Summer concerts and have prepared pupils for the Inver Clyde Young musician annually, including the winning entry. I have prepared and accompanied pupils at the annual rotary Burns Club Burns Supper on an annual basis. I have been accompanist to the Inver Clyde Schools Choir and prepared pupils for religious services within the school.
  • I have worked on four school shows in my time in St Stephens and rehearsed soloists and chorus members for these. I have regularly organised music in the community at Christmas, visiting the care homes in Inverclyde and performing at shopping centres to collect money for local charities.
  • I have regularly worked with colleagues from other departments, in particular RE when preparing music for religious services. I have also accompanied pupils on several school trips to London.
  • Having worked all over Scotland I have a broad view of education and have taught pupils from many different backgrounds and abilities, always seeking to develop a rapport and engage pupils in tasks which are of interest to them.
  • Many former pupils have gone on to have successful careers in the music industry or in teaching themselves. I have organised pupils to perform at information evenings in the school to demonstrate the ongoing work of the department and engage with parents regularly.
  • I have good knowledge of the pupils at St Stephens and communicate well with them. I have been innovative in the use of emerging technologies, recording a series of video lessons for use during lockdown and demonstrating music concepts to ensure pupils remained motivated during the pandemic.
  • I have recruited pupils to perform musical items at Awards Ceremonies, parents nights and look for performance opportunities to showcase the talents of music technology pupils by presenting a sound design for film project which had been completed by BGE pupils on Autism awareness at assembly and engaging the work of the music technology pupils to assist with sound at the school shows and showcase events. I am fully conversant with the use of Microsoft Teams and in particular the monitoring of pupil engagement.
  • During the current situation I have participated and engaged in a great deal of collaborative work and have welcomed the balance and checks which have had to be put in place to ensure the fairness of the assessment process and have taken steps and shown initiative in order to, discussions at school level to ensure that the aims of the department reflect the aims of the school. This venture involved eight members of staff including art staff, music staff and SLT. This concert raised funds for the school and engaged parental interest in the new faculty structure with parents. It included pieces of work from pupils within the BGE with performances from pupils who had taken part in class music ensembles. It also included performances from pupils undergoing instrumental instruction and pupils taking part in the ongoing extra curricular activities which are a part of the ongoing work in the department. It gave a number of pupils the opportunity to show art work at the interval in the concert, and for parents to have tea while viewing this work. I was able to involve senior pupils in selling raffle tickets and taking money at the door, involved canteen staff in the interval refreshments and janitors who helped with the laying out of the canteen area. I have successfully coached and mentored several student teachers within the faculty some of whom now work within it and all of whom have gone on to take up teaching positions in other schools. I took responsibility for the regular trips to care homes and visits to shopping centres at Christmas, engaging with support staff and colleagues in instrumental services.

Additional Information

www.linkedin.com/in/colin-mcphee-a22bb867

Timeline

Teacher Of Music and Music Technology

Inverclyde Council
08.2020 - 08.2024

Acting Principal Teacher Faculty of Creative Arts

Inverclyde Council
07.2018 - 07.2020

Teacher of music

Inverclyde Council
02.2006 - 11.2018

Assistant Principal Teacher Rothesay

Argyll and Bute Council, Academy
02.2001 - 04.2006

Teacher of Music

Thurso High School
10.1987 - 01.1992

Certificate of Education (primary curriculum) - Primary

Jordanhill College of Education

Master of Arts - Music and Psychology

University of Glasgow

PGCE - Secondary

Jordanhill College of Education
Colin McPhee