TEACHING
“Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.” - Plutarch
Darryl Kniffen is one of today’s most innovative music educators. He takes pride in helping students pursue their personal musical goals and passions. Darryl fosters musical independence so that his students will continue their musical pursuits outside of school and throughout adulthood. Darryl's student-centered approach to music education puts his students' interests, understandings, and experiences at the heart of the curriculum. Rather than “covering” material in the classroom, Darryl provides opportunities for his students to "uncover" and learn through discovery.
Darryl Kniffen currently teaches General Music and Instrumental Music at Stoneman Elementary School in Pittsburg, California. Previously, he taught Instrumental Music and Music Technology at Arlington Memorial Middle/High School in Arlington, VT. In 2016, Darryl received University of Vermont's Outstanding Teacher of The Year Award. Upon nominating Darryl, principal Tim Stewart stated “In addition to teaching and organizing every aspect of the school band program, Darryl is always working to ensure that the individual music needs of his students are met. Because of Darryl’s encouragement, enthusiasm and genuine love for music, AMHS students will appreciate music throughout their lifetime.”
View Darryl's full resume below.
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Darryl received his master's and bachelor's degrees in music education from the Crane School of Music, State University of New York at Potsdam where he studied music education with leaders in the profession including Professor Jim Petercsak, Dr. Timothy McCallister, Dr. Caron Collins, and Professor Bret Zvacek. Darryl also became a mentee of Dr. Mark Robin Campbell, one of the most thoughtful and well-regarded voices in music education. Please visit www.markrobincampbell.com to learn more about his influential and innovative work.
Darryl remains an active member of his professional community. He recently was asks to present at the Southern Vermont Education Symposium, where he led a session titled "Engaging Learners Through Project-Based Learning." Darryl discussed how to teach using project-based learning in order to increase student engagement, effectively teach and assess 21st century skills and higher order thinking skills, and effectively teach STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) in a real-world, hands-on approach. Darryl also remains closely tied to Crane School of Music, where he presents to the undergraduate music education students once a semester on curriculum design, popular music pedagogy, and project-based learning.
If you wish to contact Darryl, please email him at [email protected] or by clicking the link in the top right-hand corner. Thank you!
Darryl remains an active member of his professional community. He recently was asks to present at the Southern Vermont Education Symposium, where he led a session titled "Engaging Learners Through Project-Based Learning." Darryl discussed how to teach using project-based learning in order to increase student engagement, effectively teach and assess 21st century skills and higher order thinking skills, and effectively teach STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) in a real-world, hands-on approach. Darryl also remains closely tied to Crane School of Music, where he presents to the undergraduate music education students once a semester on curriculum design, popular music pedagogy, and project-based learning.
If you wish to contact Darryl, please email him at [email protected] or by clicking the link in the top right-hand corner. Thank you!
