Education isn't just about desks and whiteboards. Sometimes, it’s about the resonant hum of a flute or the rhythmic pulse of a fifth-grade band practice. If you’ve been looking into the staff at Canyon Creek Elementary, you might have come across the name Megan Seibert. She isn't just another name in a school directory; she represents a specific, vibrant era of music education within the Northshore School District.
Finding the right teacher for your kid is stressful. You want someone who actually gets it—someone who remembers what it was like to struggle with their first instrument. Megan’s story is basically a full circle. She started her own musical journey as a third grader with piano lessons from a Sunday school teacher. By fifth grade, she’d picked up the flute. Fast forward a few years, and she was back in the Northshore District helping the next generation of flute players find their footing. It's a cool "pay it forward" dynamic that you don't always see in suburban school districts.
Why Megan Seibert and Canyon Creek Elementary are a Great Match
Canyon Creek is known for its high standards. But standards are just numbers on a state report card without the right people to implement them. Megan Seibert stepped into this environment with a dual-degree background in Music Education and Flute Performance from Seattle Pacific University.
She wasn't just teaching kids how to blow into a tube of metal. She was teaching them performance. Honestly, music in elementary school is often treated like a "break" for the "real" teachers. At Canyon Creek, the instrumental program is designed to be a core part of the student's development.
The Logistics of the Music Program
Most parents at Canyon Creek are trying to figure out the 5th-grade music transition. It’s a big deal in the Northshore District. Students have to choose between:
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- Beginning Band (where Megan’s expertise usually shines)
- Beginning Orchestra
- The "Experience Music" program
Megan’s role involved navigating that chaotic transition where a ten-year-old decides they want to play the trumpet one day and the flute the next. Her background with the Seattle Flute Society—where she served on the board of directors—gave her a level of professional credibility that most elementary music teachers are still working toward.
What People Get Wrong About Elementary Band
There's a massive misconception that elementary music is just about "noise." You know the sound—the "dying duck" noise a clarinet makes when the reed is dry. But educators like Megan Seibert focus on the technicality of the embouchure (the way you shape your mouth) and breath control early on.
She spent years as a music tutor before taking on a full classroom. That one-on-one experience is vital. It means she can spot the kid in the back row who is holding their flute at a weird angle before it becomes a lifelong habit.
Beyond the Classroom
Megan doesn't just stay within the four walls of the school. She’s active in the broader Bothell, WA music scene. She runs a private studio. She coordinates competitions like the Horsfall Competition. This matters because it shows students that music isn't just a "class" you take to get a credit; it's a career, a hobby, and a community.
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When a teacher is still actively performing and involved in professional societies, the kids notice. It gives the curriculum a certain "real-world" weight. It's not just "do this because the book says so," it's "do this because this is how we do it in the Seattle Flute Society."
Navigating the Northshore Music Selection
If you're a parent at Canyon Creek Elementary, you've probably received the flyers about instrument selection in the spring. This is when the instructors, including Megan, visit the 4th graders.
- The Ranking: Kids rank their top three choices.
- The Fitting: Teachers guide them to ensure the instrument fits their physical build (e.g., small hands might struggle with a tuba).
- The Rental: The district is actually pretty great about providing instruments for those in need, so nobody gets left out because of a price tag.
Megan’s specific approach often emphasizes the "beginning flute" experience. It’s one of the hardest instruments to get a sound out of initially. You’re basically blowing across a hole, not into it. Her patience in those first few weeks is legendary among the parents who don't want to hear "noises" for three months straight.
The Professional Path of Megan Seibert
It’s worth noting that Megan’s career has been a mix of general music and specialized instrumental instruction. She spent time at Woodin Elementary before her tenure in the band programs. This gives her a "whole child" perspective. She understands how a kid goes from singing "Hot Cross Buns" in 2nd grade to reading complex sheet music in 5th.
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Her education at SPU (graduating in 2022) means she’s trained in the most current pedagogical methods. She isn't using teaching techniques from 1985. She’s using modern, engagement-based strategies that keep kids from quitting when the music gets hard.
Actionable Steps for Canyon Creek Parents
If your child is entering the music program at Canyon Creek or looking to study with a specialist like Megan Seibert, here is how you can actually support that journey without losing your mind.
- Don't buy a "cheap" instrument online. Seriously. Those $90 purple flutes from Amazon are basically toys. They can't be repaired because the metal is too soft. Stick to the brands recommended by the district instructors.
- Create a "Practice Zone." It doesn't have to be a soundproof booth. Just a corner where the music stand stays up. If the kid has to unpack the case every time, they won't practice.
- Attend the Horsfall Competition. Even if your kid isn't competing, seeing high-level flute players (organized by people like Megan) can be incredibly inspiring.
- Reach out early. If your kid is struggling with their "first sound," email the teacher. Educators like Megan would much rather give a 2-minute tip in the hallway than have a student get frustrated and quit.
The impact of a teacher like Megan Seibert at Canyon Creek Elementary goes beyond the winter concert. It’s about building the discipline of daily practice and the confidence to stand on a stage. Whether a student stays with the flute through high school or drops it after a year, the foundation laid by an expert who actually cares about the craft is permanent.