In Volume 1 of this multi-part conversation, Copper State Marching Podcast host Martin Hebda welcomes back Travis Larson to discuss one of the most important challenges in marching arts education: how to effectively educate, mentor, and guide young instructional staff members.
Together, Martin and Travis explore the essential skills new staff members need to develop, from understanding their role within a program and building relationships with students to diagnosing problems, communicating effectively, and delivering meaningful feedback.
This episode dives into practical strategies for helping young educators become more confident, prepared, and effective on the field. Topics include understanding student motivation, learning a program’s history and traditions, prioritizing feedback, celebrating incremental progress, asking the right questions, and focusing on solutions rather than simply pointing out mistakes. They also discuss the importance of staff communication, knowing when to seek guidance, and recognizing that success looks different for every student and program.
Message the Copper State Marching Podcast at podcast@azmba.org