The UMKC Conservatory is pleased to note that Robert Battle (BME, 2011) has accepted a position teaching K-5 elementary music at the Fillmore Arts Center, Washington, DC, Fall 2018. Battle writes, "In this position, I will be working with the Kennedy Center through collaborations while also working with several other organizations to promote arts integration instruction, address the importance of positive narratives of peoples of color in the art and music curriculums, and to serve as a resource to other k-8 music teachers within DC Public Schools through PD, article writing, etc."
Prior to this appointment, Battle finished his master's degree in public affairs with an emphasis in non-profit management. For the past 5 years, he was the curriculum lead for choral music for Columbia Public Schools and served on the equity, diversity, and inclusion team. He notes that he "spent a great deal working with others to address how the curriculum and building policies could be a tool to encourage student success versus a weapon to marginalize specific students/communities. This work included exploring how to better share the accomplishments of black and brown historical figures and modern day models as resources for students. This was especially helpful as my choral classroom was a laboratory for the district at-large."
Congratulations, Robert!