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Karla Bell, the Graceful Educator, joins Missy on the podcast to talk about the work she does every day in her program to lift up and nurture students, helping them grow into the learners and leaders that they need to be. You’ll hear about what it means to focus on equity and antiracist practices through a trauma-informed lens while also learning how to lessen the temptation to be a “perfect teacher” in a time when we need to strike a better balance in life!

Karla Bell, The Graceful Educator, is a veteran Music educator, serving more than 15 years in diverse settings, serving grades Kindergarten through 12th grade and post-secondary education. She currently serves as the Choral Director William Penn High School in Colonial School District in New Castle, Delaware. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education from Delaware State University and a Master of Education degree in School Leadership from Wilmington University.
Karla is a mentor and teacher’s teacher. Using equity, anti-racist, and trauma-informed lenses, she facilitates graceful learning spaces for scholars and empowers fellow educators to do the same. She leads and serves on equity and curriculum teams and facilitates professional development at the school, district, and state levels. Her professional memberships and affiliations include the National Education Association, National Association for Music Education, Delaware State Education Association, and Delaware Music Educators Association.
Karla is a native of Dover, Delaware. She enjoys traveling, live performances, reading, and days at the beach. She is happily married to her husband Calvin and they have one daughter. Karla believes in the gifting and potential of every person she encounters. She is a catalyst. Her passion is removing barriers for uninhibited access to opportunity and laying a strong foundation for present and future generations.
Taylor Kurilew is a native of New Jersey, and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from Montclair State University and a Masters of Music Degree in Voice Performance from Rutgers University, Mason Gross School of the Arts. Aside from being in the classroom, Ms. Kurilew has performed in operas and musical theatre shows and has attended operatic training programs from NY to Italy and continues to perform and gig outside of school. Taylor is the K-5 general music teacher and choral director at Cedar Hill Elementary School in Basking Ridge, NJ and also teaches voice in the central NJ area. She continues to work on her craft and her teaching career and loves using these experiences and trainings to keep her inspired and share the love of music to her students in every aspect she can, in and out of the classroom.
San Diego (CA) native Austin Martin is the creator and founder of Rhymes with Reason (RwR), an e-learning resource that helps students learn words and boost reading skills via hip-hop & popular music.



Katie Wardrobe is a music technology trainer, consultant, blogger and podcaster who is passionate about helping music teachers through her business Midnight Music (www.midnightmusic.com.au). She runs hands-on workshops, presents regularly at conferences in Australia and overseas and she offers online training and support to music teachers all over the world. Katie’s workshops and courses focus on incorporating technology into the music curriculum and practical tips for resource creation and productivity.
Katie Wardrobe is a music technology trainer, consultant, blogger and podcaster who is passionate about helping music teachers through her business Midnight Music (www.midnightmusic.com.au). She runs hands-on workshops, presents regularly at conferences in Australia and overseas and she offers online training and support to music teachers all over the world. Katie’s workshops and courses focus on incorporating technology into the music curriculum and practical tips for resource creation and productivity.
