Carmen (Spencer ’07) Stickley

Music

Biography

I got married the summer before my senior year at Taylor, and once I graduated I moved to Ohio to live with my husband. We moved several times over our marriage: to Tennessee, Michigan, and now finally we’re in Nevada (and are staying, as long as this topsy-turvy world allows). It took me a few years to realize what I really wanted to do. After I realized Broadway was not for me, I went back to school in 2015, to get my masters of education in elementary education from GCU. I bridged the music and education gap with a class from UNLV, and have been happily teaching elementary music in Henderson, NV. Go Pinecrest Horizon Patriots!

What were some of your most valuable experiences at Taylor?

Opera Theatre was by far my most memorable experience, and most enjoyable. I had to learn to grow up a little bit, too. But don’t we all when we’re late teens/early twenties? 
Those were some of my favorite memories; singing and dancing, and growing as a singer and a person.

How did your classes or interactions with professors at Taylor impact your growth?

There are always two sides to every story. My experience with professors taught me that being a teacher affects people, and is extremely important. The overall experience was necessary to grow and learn, to become who I am today. Big shout out to Dr. Patty Robertson for showing me great support and kindness throughout my years at Taylor.

How can Taylor graduates use their unique Taylor education and its liberal arts foundational core as an asset in your discipline?

My discipline is music education. I wish I had taken the music education route back then, but things worked out. The teachers I had really helped to set me up for success, despite the gap between my bachelors and masters. One thing I really appreciated from Taylor was the encouragement to think for yourself, learn, adapt, seek God, and be humble.

What advice or encouragement could you provide for Taylor students in your vocational discipline?

Seek out the skills and knowledge that you can’t always find with your nose in a book. Classroom management is not really taught in college; you need to seek out advice from other sources. Meditation music is super calming, and may be necessary between classes (if/when we get back to normal). If there’s no time, then breathe deeply and remember: the kids that are newly arriving have no idea what just happened before they came, and they don’t need to. They just need you, and a great big smile. 
Let yourself grow up before you start acting like you’re grown. What I mean by that is: don’t assume you know what to do. It is better to acknowledge that you don’t know, and seek wisdom outside of yourself, and even outside of your immediate circle. JBP’s “12 Rules for Life” is a great ‘growing up’ kind of book. I have learned a lot from it in my 30’s. I can’t imagine how helpful it would be to someone in their 20’s. 
It’s okay to cry, to freak out and break down when you’re stressed. It’s healthy, and you should not be ashamed to need to release that tension. I advise you not to do it in front of the class... use the closet like I did! 
Make it fun! If you’re bored, then they will be too. So try not to teach to the test, so much as to make lasting memories that will deepen their appreciation and love of music (or whatever subject you’re teaching).