Dr. Pattye Casarow with the 2026 Master of Music Education graduates.
· Are you still curious?
· Do you love what you do?
· Are you a life-long learner?
· Do you still want to improve your practice?
· Do you welcome a personal challenge?
· Can you break a large goal into manageable steps?
· Do you believe in a growth mindset – that ability and intelligence develop through effort, learning, and persistence?
· Are you willing to work hard?
· Do you have grit?
· Do you aspire to be a leader in your field?
· Do you love your students?
· Do you want to equip them to change the world?
If you answered yes to most of these questions, you’d make a good grad student. Graduate study may be a natural next step for you. The book of Proverbs affirms the value of continued learning. “Let the wise hear and increase in learning” (Proverbs 1:5). Solomon commends growing in knowledge.
Will it be challenging at times? Certainly. But James 1:2–4 reminds us that trials produce steadfastness and maturity. Hebrews 12:11 acknowledges that discipline is not pleasant in the moment, yet it yields lasting fruit. Growth often comes through difficulty. Strong effort honors God and we can work to his glory. Colossians 3:23, “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord.” And our perseverance matters. Galatians 6:9 encourages us not to grow weary in doing good.
Socrates once said, “We cannot live better than in seeking to become still better than we already are.” Ponder that for a moment. As we grow in knowledge and skill, we increase our capacity to serve. Our students benefit directly from our continued learning and disciplined effort. First Peter 4:10 tells us to use our gifts to serve one another as faithful stewards. The heart of continued study is stewardship. Graduate work is not self-advancement for its own sake. It prepares us for greater service.
Peter Boonshaft, music educator and author, said, “With every new idea we find, every new technique we learn, every new perspective we gain, everyone around us – our students – becomes better.” I agree wholeheartedly. This is education at its best. I invite you to consider a graduate degree and take the next faithful step.
