%0 Journal Article
%T Becoming part of the city: Influences on the career choice of an urban music educator
%A John Eros
%J International Journal of Music Education
%@ 1744-795X
%D 2018
%R 10.1177/0255761418771798
%X The purpose of this case study was to examine and describe the life experiences that influenced one music teacher¡¯s career choice to teach music in an urban school. The primary research question is: What experiences influenced the participant to pursue urban music education as a career? Calling upon research into urban music education and career choice, the article used a ¡°secondary analysis¡± of survey, journal, and interview data collected in a larger investigation of the teacher career cycle, as viewed through the lens of narrative research. Findings are presented in four categories, and indicate that the teacher¡¯s career choice was influenced by three primary elements: (a) feeling a need to be of service to others; (b) experiencing cultural differences; and (c) curiosity about the city; all of which led to (d) being a part of the city. These elements combined to form not just a career choice, but a strong sense of commitment to teaching music in a specific city. Implications for both urban music education and music teacher education are discussed, as are suggestions for further research
%K career choice
%K career influence
%K music education
%K music teacher education
%K preservice music teachers
%K urban music education
%U https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0255761418771798