Episode 13: Abbie Van Klompenberg- Trauma Informed Teaching

Abbie Van Klompenberg received her Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from Western Michigan University (Kalamazoo, MI) in 2007. In 2011, she graduated from Arizona State University (Tempe, AZ) with her Master’s Degree in Music Education. She was selected as the Outstanding Graduate Student from the Herberger Institute of Design and the Arts from over 2,000 candidates and was given this award for excellence in the public school and collegiate level classroom.

In 2013, Abbie became a National Board Certified Music Teacher, emphasizing in Early-Middle Childhood Vocal Music. This undertaking challenged her to grow as an educator and better understand her learning environment.

Abbie completed all three levels of Orff Schulwerk training at Trinity University in San Anotnio, Texas. In the completion of these courses, she gained certification from the American Orff Schulwerk Association. Movement, composition, and creative play are all elements of the Schulwerk approach that she incorporates into her classroom on a daily basis. In this approach, her students are able to connect with and experience music in an accessible way.

For the 2015-2016 school year, she was named the Trinity Prize Teacher of the Year for Castle Hills Elementary.

Abbie loves doing innovative things in the music classroom. She likes the students to explore creativity, Project-Based Learning, world music, and music technology. She believes that students should be able to sing, play, analyze, compose, and arrange all types of music.

Outside of the music classroom, Abbie has many hobbies and interests. She enjoys traveling and exploring new places. She likes to read and write in her journal. She also enjoys the outdoors and physical activities, especially running and yoga. She enjoys spending her free time with friends, her husband, Martin, and two dogs, Luna and Sirius.

You can learn more about Abbie by checking out her WEBSITE!