ABSTRACT
This inspirational and practical chapter based on narrative and examples from a high school orchestra gives teachers a four-step strategy to “flip the system” down to students. The author explains how reflection on her own practice and increased student ownership in their own learning led to a culture of community involvement and the development of democratic competencies. She shares how her students found their purpose and mission through intrinsic motivation, developed a process for realizing that purpose, created outreach into their community, and laid the groundwork for sustainability. The chapter serves as a guide for other teachers who are looking for ways to increase motivation and relevance while teaching their curriculum.
