Jessica Peresta

Level: ElementaryGeneral MusicOrffDigital Music PedagogyInstructional DesignClassroom ManagementNetwork BuildingLifestyle ManagementPeer LeadershipEvent ManagementClassroom TechnologyMusic FundamentalsMusic TheorySmall Schools
Written By Dr. Elisa Janson Jones
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Upon starting her first teaching position in the middle of the school year at a low income elementary school in Tulsa, OK, Jessica was asked to restart the music program which had been non-existent for 7 years. During her second year of teaching, she won the Teacher of the Year and Teacher of Today awards.

Now, Jessica is the elementary music teacher and curriculum coordinator at The Hill School in Fayetteville, AR and is the founder and CEO of The Domestic Musician, LLC, where products include the Curriculum Design Roadmap course, the HARMONY membership site, and the Elementary Music Teacher Blueprint course.

She’s also the host of The Elementary Music Teacher podcast, the author of the book "Make A Note: What You Really Need To Know About Teaching Elementary Music", the Learning Technology Support Specialist at The University of Arkansas, the curriculum designer for Virtual Virginia and Learning Mate, and the professional development coordinator for F-flat Books.

She holds a Bachelors of Music Education degree from Oral Roberts University and a Masters in Educational Technology degree from the University of Arkansas.

When she’s not talking all things music education, she loves hanging out with her husband Grant, her 3 boys Owen, Brady, and Reece and her sweet doodle doggies Jake and Penny.

 
 
 

  • I believer every child can and should learn music. It's my job as the music teacher to help each child achieve that goal. Through various teaching approaches, like movement activities, instruments, singing, speech pieces, and body percussion, it's important to me to cater to different learning styles. A music classroom is not a one sized fits all approach and should be a creative place where all students can thrive and flourish. Each class period, transitions should be thoughtfully planned out, class time needs to be structured, and a variety of experiences and approaches should be ready to implement.

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  • I enjoy a variety of learning opportunities, just like I try to provide to my students. I think a PD workshop or session should be interactive and the learner needs to be engaged in the content they're learning. Throughout the workshop, attendees should be able to ask questions or to discuss with others what they're learning about. As for the favorite PD I've been to, I've enjoyed attending workshops, sessions, and conferences where I'm able to meet new people, where the presenter is engaging, and when I'm interested in the content I'm learning about.

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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 building education platforms, she combines strategic thinking with hands-on execution experience.

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

Learn more about her work at sovereign.plus, elisajones.ai, and the Music Teacher Guild.

https://elisajanson.com
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