Faculty Spotlight

Meet Mrs. Erin Kronzek

Mrs. Erin Kronzek is originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, but she moved to Boca Raton, Florida, with her family when she was in fourth grade. She began playing the flute and developed a love for music at a young age. While growing up in Boca Raton, she attended West Boca High School, where she was inspired by her high school band director, Edrick Rhodes, and realized she wanted to teach music. She went on to earn her Bachelor of Music in Music Education, followed by a Master of Music in Music Education from the University of Florida. During her time there, she was a member of the marching band and had the opportunity to perform at two National Championships! She currently lives with her family in Boca Raton and is very excited to have her two-year-old son, Rogan, in the Toddler class at Unity this year.

Mrs. Kronzek completed internships at both Omni Middle School and Palm Beach Central High School in Palm Beach County. She was also the first music teacher from the University of Florida to be chosen for the Teach the World Rome program, where she completed an internship at Ambrit International School in Rome. She started teaching at Unity School a few months after graduating from the University of Florida in 2011 and plans to be here for a very long time!

What is your teaching philosophy?

As a K-5 music teacher, my philosophy centers on making music education a joyful and enriching experience for every student. I believe that music plays a crucial role in a child’s development, fostering both personal and academic growth. I am a believer in music education for all. I believe that all students are born with an innate desire to want to either move, dance, sing, or even perform music. It is my job as a teacher to help students learn to understand and appreciate this. I aim to cultivate a love for music by providing engaging and diverse experiences for the students. 

What is your greatest achievement as a teacher?

I like to think that my greatest achievement as a teacher is by impacting students and helping them become lifelong learners, creators, and even just “appreciators” of music. My favorite thing is when former students, whether in middle school here at Unity or off at high school/college come back to visit and tell me what they remember from their elementary music classes with me. 

Why did I choose Unity School?

After my very first tour at Unity school, I knew this was my home. I had never before seen a school with such a well rounded education for students, support for the arts, and emphasis on developing lifelong learners. My teaching philosophy very much aligned with Unity’s philosophy and I knew this was the perfect match. Fourteen years ago, my son was not even born yet but I just knew that when he was, there was no place better than Unity. 

What makes the Unity School music program unique?

Unity School’s music program is 100% school-wide, starting with the youngest Toddlers and continuing through 8th grade. Students at Unity engage with music on a daily basis. They are given the opportunity to play any instrument that their heart desires by the time they go through middle school. All of our first grade and second grade students learn violin (in addition to their general music class), third grade students learn recorder, and fourth-eighth grade students learn a band instrument. Middle School students are often given opportunities to participate in Jazz Band, Rock Band, Garage Band electives where they may choose to learn a secondary or even third instrument. Third-eighth grade students are also given the opportunity to participate in a handbell choir or chorus before school. We provide opportunities for our students to compete at local and state levels through All County, All State, Regional Ensembles, etc.