How Music Education Shapes Young Minds In Iron County Schools

Music education continues to play a vital role in elementary classrooms across the Iron County School District, as highlighted in a recent interview with two local educators on the Big Picture Morning Show on KSUB radio.

Ariel Ellis, music teacher at East Elementary School, and Sarah Hulet, music teacher at Iron Springs Elementary School, shared insights into how music is integrated into early education and why it remains essential for student development. “I believe that it's nationwide. I think it started back in 1985, and it's just been this movement of spreading awareness about the value of arts education in our schools, not as being something that's nice, but something that's really essential, especially in early education,” Ellis said during the broadcast.

Hulet and Ellis in studio - Dr.T/Canva Design

Both teachers work with students from kindergarten through fifth grade, introducing foundational concepts that go beyond simply learning songs. Ellis explained, “I start with the concept of steady beat. You'd be surprised at how many little kids don't even know how to tap their foot or clap along to a beat. And really, that's the foundation of music.”

At Iron Springs, Hulet incorporates regular performances into the curriculum. “At Iron Springs, we're actually really lucky where each grade level gets to do a performance. So we learn and study the music and then the students get to perform it for the school and then for their parents. So definitely we're singing all the time,” she said.

Music Education Supports Broader Academic Success

Both educators emphasized that music education supports broader academic success. Hulet noted, “Studies show that they can remember and recall information better,” while Ellis added, “All of the data shows that if you can get music and movement attached to a concept in any other type of literacy, the retention is so much higher.”

Jay Nlper via Unsplash

Beyond academics, music also supports emotional and social development. Ellis said, “Music can really help with that because it helps with emotional expression as well.”

The community will have a chance to see these benefits firsthand at East Elementary School’s upcoming Art Night Celebration on Wednesday, March 25 at 6 p.m. The event will feature student presentations, project displays, cultural performances and more, showcasing the creativity and learning happening in local classrooms.

Courtesy Iron County School District

As both teachers made clear, music education is not just an extracurricular activity, but a key part of helping students grow academically, socially and emotionally.