Music education alumnus fosters love for music in elementary students
Amherst Exempted School District’s elementary music teacher Mindi (Dodson) Krase ’03 knew she wanted to pursue a music education degree before attending The College of Wooster, but the second she stepped foot on campus, she knew she found a place to foster that dream. “It felt like a second home to me,” Krase said. “I declared my major within my first few weeks of being there.”
At Wooster, Krase involved herself in numerous musical groups, such as the Scot Marching Band, Scot Symphonic Band, Gospel Choir, Wooster Singers, and the Student Music Association. With a wide range of musical talent and abilities, Krase felt supported by her peer music performers. “I loved every minute of it,” she shared. The marching band and symphonic band particularly excited Krase, as they gave her the opportunity to travel across the United States to perform during spring breaks. “I met and stayed with many families, and it allowed me to go to all these different states that I never would have gone to previously,” Krase said.
Equally important to the music ensembles on campus for Krase was her Independent Study. She put together a 30-minute piano recital with another music education major, whose main instrument was the flute. They performed in November of 2002, the end of Krase’s fall semester of senior year. Krase’s decision to perform her recital in the fall semester allowed her to fully dive into her student teaching requirement for the spring semester at the local junior high and elementary schools. The opportunity to work directly with students was beneficial to Krase, who enjoyed the chance to work hands-on with students. “It was the best, most beneficial thing we got to do,” Krase said.
Right before her spring break of senior year, Krase attended a job fair and found a job in her hometown alma-mater school district of Amherst as a special education teacher. “I felt really comfortable finishing my time at Wooster after I was hired,” Krase laughed. After Wooster, she went on to get a second licensure as a special education teacher, prompting a nine-year hiatus from music education. “Getting a second licensure after I graduated was the right thing to do for me,” Krase said. “The special education licensure made me a better teacher overall, especially with the students on an Individualized Education Program (IEP).”
After nine years, the music graduate excitedly found a music position in the same school district. “It was my dream job to work in my hometown teaching elementary general music. It was exactly what I wanted to do, and that’s where I am now,” Krase expressed. As well as teaching elementary general music for kindergarten, first, and second grade students, Krase handles general tasks within her school. “There are lots of odds and ends that come with a teaching job,” Krase explained. Some of these duties include cafeteria duty and walker duty, but Krase also handles the important task of supporting and taking care of students. “It is overwhelming for the young students to come into this huge building alone. Having a smile on your face and helping the students is just as important as teaching, and it’s not found in a textbook.” 
Krase credits her hard work at Amherst’s Powers Elementary School to her music professor and mentor, Nancy Ditmer. “Nancy was like a second mom to me while I was on campus,” Krase expressed. “She touched so many lives. I strive to be the kind of music educator she was.”
Krase keeps in touch with her Wooster roots outside of the classroom by celebrating all things Wooster with her family and friends. “I still have an immense love for bagpipes. My kids even know that I love bagpipes, and we stop and listen whenever we hear them,” Krase said. “My son had to collect postcards from different states for a school project, and I was able to connect with Wooster friends to help him get those. At a big school, you are just a number, but at Wooster you are part of a family. That’s something I love about Wooster—when I go back, I feel that I’m at home.”
Posted in Alumni on January 17, 2025.
