How IAVA Teachers Are Striking a Chord During Music in Our Schools Month 

Becky Carlyle believes every student has music in them, whether they know it yet or not. 

She’s been a performer for most of her life — singing in operas, choirs, bands, you name it. But these days, her focus is different. As a music teacher at Iowa Virtual Academy (IAVA), Becky works with students who are learning to sing, play and listen in an entirely new way. 

Many of them are logging in from small towns. Some are student-athletes balancing academics with training. Others are advanced learners looking for more personalized instruction. There are students managing health concerns and those who need flexibility for family or work commitments.  

In Becky’s class, they all find the same thing — a place to slow down, focus and make music. For some, it’s the first time they’ve had that opportunity. And for Becky, that’s where the real teaching begins. 

During Music in Our Schools Month this March, Becky recalls students taking that first note in her class. “They light up when they realize, ‘I can do this,’” she says. “And from there, it keeps going.” 

Music That Belongs Everywhere 

Becky doesn’t pretend online music education works the same way it does in person. She doesn’t need it to. What she focuses on instead is helping each student figure out where they’re starting from — and where they want to go. 

Some students come into class already playing an instrument. Some haven’t played in front of another person before. Some are there because they want to try something new. And at IAVA, that’s enough. 

“IAVA gives us room to be flexible,” Becky explains. “Students can come in at different levels, and we can meet them there.” 

The school’s model helps make this possible. IAVA is an accredited public school that offers Iowans an education built around their needs and schedules. That flexibility gives Becky time to connect with students one-on-one and guide them at their own pace. There’s no rushing through a rehearsal or worrying about who’s ready to perform. Instead, Becky focuses on building confidence. 

“It’s about helping them see themselves as musicians,” she says. “Once they start to believe that, the rest comes more easily.” 

Finding Connection in a Virtual Space 

One of the things Becky talks about often is connection. And in her music classes, that’s what she’s watching for. 

“We have students all over the state,” she says. “But when they come together in class, they start to feel like they’re part of something.” 

For some students, that’s the first time they’ve had that feeling in a music setting. They encourage each other in chat. They share performances in class. They show up, week after week, because they know they’re part of a group that’s learning together. 

This sense of belonging isn’t an accident. It’s an environment Becky and the other teachers at IAVA work hard to create. In a school where students are learning remotely, opportunities to connect matter. And in music, those connections happen in ways that go beyond academics. 

“They’re not just learning to play or sing,” Becky says. “They’re learning how to listen to each other. How to support each other.” 

Flexibility That Opens Doors 

When Becky says musicians are flexible people, she means it. She’s performed in a range of settings, adjusted to different groups and learned to make things work in the moment. And in her classroom, that adaptability becomes an asset. 

Not every student follows the same path, and Becky doesn’t expect them to. Some need extra time. Some move quickly. Some need encouragement just to turn on their microphone for the first time.  

Becky sees this as an opportunity, not a challenge. “Some of these students wouldn’t have access to this kind of music education anywhere else,” she says. “This opens the door.” 

Music in Our Schools Month: A Chance to Celebrate and Connect 

For Becky, Music in Our Schools Month is a time to step back and recognize what students have accomplished — and to help them see it for themselves. 

“We’ve really been leaning into it,” Becky said. “We’re highlighting our music program, giving kids more opportunities to perform and share their work.” 

Throughout March, IAVA teachers like Becky encourage students to participate in virtual concerts, join special music events and collaborate with each other. Students have also enjoyed watching virtual performances. Becky has plans to invite guest artists to speak to students, offering them a glimpse into different musical paths and careers. She emphasizes the goal isn’t to add pressure, but to build a sense of excitement and connection. 

“This month is about getting kids to engage more, to feel like they’re part of something,” she explained. “They get to show what they’ve been working on — and they get to be proud of it.” 

Music in Our Schools Month is a celebration, but also a reminder. Students who might have started quietly are now singing, playing and leading. Some are stepping forward to perform solos. Others are sharing original compositions they’ve created during class. It’s a moment to recognize how far these young people have come and to encourage them to keep going. 

At IAVA, where students learn from all across the state, Music in Our Schools Month creates a shared experience. Whether a student is joining from a rural town, balancing athletics or managing family responsibilities, they’re invited to be part of the music community.  

And that sense of belonging stays with them long after the month ends. 

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