The Christmas season has since passed, with familiar tunes like “Jingle Bell Rock”, “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree”, and “All I Want for Christmas Is You” phasing out of playlists to make way for the usual listening rotation. To explore this musical shift from a teacher’s perspective, Good Counsel teachers were interviewed about the songs and music genres they are currently listening to. Watch out – some of these tunes are seriously groovy!

Mrs. Kerhoven’s current taste in music is more modern styles, with songwriter Olivia Dean frequenting her Spotify playlists and being a favorite choice while driving. A recent favorite is Dean’s “Man I Need”, as Mrs. Kerhoven says it sounds like “a throwback with a modern twist”. She would definitely recommend this music to students, as, funnily enough, a student recommended Dean to her.

Ms. Tydings indulges in music from the Classical Period and the Eighties while grading and making dinner. These genres are best while grading because they are familiar and lessen distractions, she comments. Tydings advocates for classical music and instrumentals to be played in the background while studying, as they can create a calm, focused environment that may help students concentrate.

Dr. Riely enjoys rock, with artists such as Stevie Nicks, Billy Joel, and Bruce Springsteen being some of her go-to musicians while commuting, cooking, and washing laundry. She fondly associates the music with “the sounds and the memories from when the songs first came out”. While grading, she prefers a silent atmosphere. Overall, Riely would suggest this music to students.

Good Counsel teachers enjoy a wide array of music, ranging from modern hits to rock and roll, and sometimes even share similar preferences with students. This shared appreciation of music can serve as a meaningful connection between students and teachers, strengthening the bonds that make the school’s community vibrant and unique.