Cierra, an alumna of San Francisco State University, where she holds a Master's in Music in operatic vocal performance with a focus on music education. She has served as president of the Music Student Alliance, contributed to E.D.I initiatives, and taught over 300 children. Currently, she teaches at Antelope Valley College and DNA STUDIOS USA, inspiring future generations. She has been in over 10 open productions and more then 15 musical and theater productions on and off the stage, but she truly finds her passions when she can mentor and help others.

When guiding students through music learning activities to enhance skill acquisition, it's crucial to start by understanding their goals and abilities. Assessing their current skill level and aspirations allows for tailoring activities to their specific needs and interests. This involves identifying areas for improvement, such as rhythm, melody, harmony, technique, and interpretation, and designing targeted activities accordingly.
Once objectives are established, the focus shifts to selecting engaging and challenging activities. These can range from exercises and repertoire pieces to sight-reading, ear training, and theory lessons, catering to different learning styles. Feedback and assessment play a vital role in gauging progress and providing constructive guidance to students, fostering motivation and confidence.
Encouraging consistent practice outside of lessons is essential for skill development. Providing students with effective practice techniques and resources empowers them to take ownership of their learning journey. Furthermore, nurturing creativity and expression through improvisation, composition, and interpretation expands musicality beyond technical proficiency.
Remaining flexible in monitoring and adjusting the learning plan ensures relevance and effectiveness. By staying responsive to student feedback and evolving goals, instructors can optimize learning outcomes. Regular reflection on teaching strategies allows for refinement and improvement, ultimately facilitating meaningful musical experiences for students.
During my time as a student tutor at community college, I had the rewarding experience of being a student tutor. I provided 1 on 1 tutoring sessions focused on various subjects, helping students grasp challenging concepts, improve their academic skills, and build confidence. I guided them through complex coursework, offered strategies for effective studying, and supported them in preparing for exams. This role required strong communication skills, patience, and the ability to adapt my teaching methods to suit different learning styles. This experience reinforced my commitment to education and highlighted the importance of personalized support in helping students achieve their goals.
During my time in grad school, I regularly met with undergraduates to help them with their coursework, assist with research projects, and provide guidance on career paths in music as a graduate assistant, and as the president of the music student alliance. These recurring appointments allowed me to build strong relationships with my mentees, understand their individual needs, and tailor my support to help them achieve their goals in a way that served them, and their individual paths.
Currently, I am mentoring a new teacher at the studio where I teach. This involves weekly meetings where we discuss lesson planning, student engagement strategies, and classroom management techniques. I provide feedback on their teaching methods, share resources, and help them troubleshoot any challenges they encounter. By being a consistent point of contact and offering ongoing support, I aim to help this new teacher grow in their role and become an effective and inspiring educator. Through these various mentoring roles, I have developed a deep appreciation for the importance of personalized, recurring interactions in fostering growth and development.

Connect in the Music Teacher Guild Commons

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Dr. Elisa Janson Jones

Dr. Elisa Jones designs and scales learning systems for organizations and individuals. With an EdD in Instructional Design, an MBA in Strategy, and 20+ years of experience in research, strategy, and training, she combines strategic thinking with hands-on execution.

She works at the intersection of people, systems, and technology—helping leaders identify what's working and what needs to change. Her approach is diagnostic, grounded in real-world constraints, and focused on scalable and durable outcomes.

https://elisajanson.com

Cierra Nicole Gooden

The Music Teacher Guild

Cierra Nicole Gooden

My Teaching Philosophy

Why I Will Be an Effective Mentor For You

Matthew Tomasone

Steve Giddings

The Music Teacher Guild