Since he sang in high school choir, Jerel Jefferson knew that he wanted to be a music educator. Witnessing his choir teacher Ms. Ahern’s passion for the field, he knew he’d found the right profession.
“I was able to see in real time what this field requires, and how you really have to love it,” Jefferson said. “You really have to love music, education. You have to love the kids.”
Jefferson, now a choral music educator for Utopian Academy for the Arts in Ellenwood, Ga., is currently pursuing his master’s degree in music education through Georgia State Online.
The Seattle native, who earned his undergraduate degree from Berklee College of Music, enrolled in the program to deepen his foundation in music education and choral conducting principles.
At Berklee, Jefferson was a voice principal and completed a degree in music business and management. Knowing that he ultimately wanted to become an educator, Jefferson later enrolled in the Georgia Teaching Academy Preparation and Practice Program (Ga TAPP), an alternative certification program in the state.
Though Ga TAPP equipped Jefferson with the pedagogical knowledge and skills he needed to teach, the program did not have a specific focus in music education. As a result, Jefferson felt the need to expand his knowledge in the field to become a better teacher.
“I felt like it was time for me to go back to school to strengthen the skills that I already have, and also get poured into as an educator,” Jefferson said. “I’m the only music teacher in my building, so oftentimes there’s nobody to really bounce ideas off of.”
When Jefferson began researching graduate music education programs, he found that many respected peers and colleagues had earned their degrees from Georgia State. He applied, got accepted and enrolled in the program in Sept. 2024.
Jefferson received an assistantship position to help fund the cost of his degree. For his assistantship, he serves as the choral scholar for North Decatur Presbyterian Church and works with the youth praise band.
Juggling the responsibilities of his full-time teaching position, graduate assistantship and coursework are not always easy, but Jefferson utilizes a detailed calendar to stay organized.
“Every day is a time management exercise,” Jefferson said. “I have a scheduler, and I write down all the classes and everything that I have to do. I'm a checklist person, so I'm able to just check things off.”
Since Georgia State’s Master’s of Music Education Program is offered online, Jefferson enjoys the flexibility of completing courses from the comfort of home.
“It works well for my schedule, because we are very busy as an art school,” Jefferson said. “There are a lot of afterschool performances, and I’m able to schedule rehearsals on days I don’t have classes. Classes start at 5:45, so I have time to get home and get settled.”
For Jefferson, one highlight of the program so far has been his choral conducting course, which taught him conducting techniques that he’s been able to apply with his students.
“I'm getting the tools I need to be better, and I'm getting advice on things that I need to correct or work on,” Jefferson said. “So that's been a highlight.”