Dear Collegiate Member,

Classes are in swing, and you're studying hard. Why not take a study break and read this month's Newslink? In this issue, you will find this month’s feature article about student teaching titled, “MKOs (More Knowledgeable Others) on Student Teaching” by Deborah Barber. You’ll also learn about what’s going on around MENC, get news and announcements, and find interesting opportunities. Brand-new this year, Collegiate Specialty Items for sale! Check out the new lapel pin, writing pens, and fleece blankets designed with the collegiate student in mind.

As always, if you have comments, questions, or would like to share your chapter’s activities or recruitment strategies with us for publication in a future issue, e-mail Jen Reed.
 

MKOs (More Knowledgeable Others) on Student Teaching

By Deborah Barber

Sometimes the best guidance we can receive is from someone who has recently traveled the road before us--a More Knowledgeable Other (MKO), as Lev Vygotsky dubbed the teacher, peer, or source of information. I asked some of our recent grads to share with other CMENC members helpful tips they discovered or learned while student teaching. As I expected, they came up with some great ideas.

Notebooks from Methods Classes by Lisa Fisher

Teachers and professors encourage organization all the time, but rarely do we realize how much it really helps. As an undergraduate, notebooks were a requirement for all methods classes. I kept my notebooks well organized and brought them with me through my student teaching. It was so helpful to be able to quickly look up the information I knew I had saved from a few years ago. When I moved into my first classroom, my notebooks came right along with me. All alone for the first time, I knew where to look if I couldn’t remember the right reeds for a beginner clarinet or how to properly tune a snare drum. As an added bonus, my notebooks were a concise way to study when I moved to another state and had to take another certification exam.

Innovative Tools Spark New Interest by Dustin Summey

A student in my beginning percussion class found it difficult to focus and seemed to lack interest in learning the snare drum. He was a distraction to the other students, and I was constantly disciplining him for misbehavior. One day after school, I decided to stop by the local band supply store and pick up some neon green Hot Sticks, just for fun. (Hot Sticks is a brand that produces snare drum sticks with bold designs and colors.) I brought the Hot Sticks to the beginning percussion class on Friday afternoon, and the students loved the neon green sticks. By the next week, several of the students had purchased their own Hot Sticks, including the student with the discipline problems. Remarkably, the Hot Sticks sparked new excitement in him for learning the snare, and his behavior improved considerably.

Control Access to Your Social Network Posts and Information by Lisa Fisher

What’s on your Facebook profile right now? Would you want your potential boss to see that? Too many teachers find themselves in a tight spot because of what can be found on their social networking sites. Your administration, students, or students’ parents could lose respect for you. Worst-case scenario, you lose your job.

Facebook wasn’t the “it” thing when I was student teaching, but blogging was. I had my privacy controls set so I could monitor who visited my site. The second my students found my blog, I changed my settings so that only my true friends could see. With Facebook and Twitter gaining popularity, I make a rule not to allow access to a current student or parent. This protects me from any possibility of an inappropriate relationship.

Don't Procrastinate! by Jared Jones

The student teaching portfolio is the largest assignment that must be successfully completed prior to the end of student teaching. This is in addition to taking the Praxis exams and taking on the responsibilities of our mentor teacher. It’s easy to be overwhelmed. Many student teachers get so absorbed with their teaching responsibilities that they tend to put this off until the last minute. This creates much undue stress as deadlines quickly approach. What really helped me reduce the stress was to get as much of the portfolio completed as early on as possible, while I had a smaller class load and fewer responsibilities. As the semester continues, the student teacher begins to take on more classes and responsibilities, and it becomes more difficult to work on the portfolio. By finishing up the portfolio early on, I had more time to prepare for the Praxis test. This gave me more time to actually enjoy teaching and being a student teacher without the deadline of my portfolio looming ever closer.

Prepare for the Job Market During Student Teaching by Amanda Oldner

First of all, have a good resume. If it’s difficult finding a format or just difficult getting started, there are many resources available. I used the Career Services department at my university, where I was given examples of resumes and tips for creating one that would serve me best for job applications. They even proofread my final draft.

Second, always be on time. Contact the school or your mentor prior to the first day of student teaching to know what time to show up, where to report, where to park, etc.

Third, try to get some experience in both secondary and primary grades, if possible. You may have already made a decision as to which you think you might want to do, but the actual experience often changes people’s minds one way or the other. I did not intend to be an elementary music teacher, but I listened to my advisor, and it turned out to be the best placement for me. It also looks great on a resume to have experience in different areas. Some jobs may require both.

Fourth, take the Praxis test during student teaching; don’t put it off. It’s not a requirement to pass the PLT to graduate or even to be hired as a teacher, but it’s not a good idea to wait. You want everything working in your favor when you go in for that job interview, so study for it, take it early, pass it.

Mentor by Amanda Oldner

For me, one of the most important factors in finding the right job was building a good relationship with my assigned mentor teacher. It was the start of having everything else fall into place. From the very beginning, she was there to offer positive feedback, encouragement, and advice that only an experienced teacher can provide. I gained a lot of valuable, practical experience by closely observing her techniques for classroom management and teaching style. I also acquired many creative ideas for lesson plans, some of which I am using in my current teaching position. Having a good relationship with your mentor teacher will not only make student teaching an enjoyable, worthwhile experience but also provide you with a great resource for when you get your first job.

While a student teacher, I went with my mentor everywhere--to faculty meetings, recess duty, and conferences. Through her, I was able to make new acquaintances and build professional relationships with coworkers, administrators, students, and other music educators. I found this to be extremely useful in my search for a job. A lot of it depends on who you know. Making connections is so important because these are the people who could one day be your employers and coworkers.

Networking by Lisa Fisher

While working on your degree, but especially during student teaching, it’s essential to network. Make sure to get to know all the fine arts teachers at the school you where you are student teaching. If you travel for competitions, football games, or other performances, take the time to meet other directors and get your name out. These are the people who will call you when they hear about job openings. Likewise, when you land your first job, you can rely on your network for support. That first year of teaching is tough. Having people you can trust to answer questions, to lend a hand, or to celebrate your successes makes a big difference.

I asked my seventh-grade daughter if she had any advice for future music student teachers. She suggested that student teachers not be afraid to correct students’ behavior or performance. To expand on her advice, don’t be afraid, period. You are about to embark on a wonderful professional journey that you have prepared for and dreamed about. Enjoy it.

Article Contributers

Deborah Barber is an assistant professor of music at Arkansas Tech University. She taught elementary and middle school music in the Auburn, Alabama, public schools for ten years. She holds a PhD in music education from Auburn University. Barber teaches General Music Methods, Applications in Technology for Music Educators, Guitar Class, Introduction to Music, and directs the Arkansas Tech University String Band. She is a co-author of Silver Burdette's Making Music with Technology series, published in 2005. She is the sponsor of the Arkansas Tech University chapter of CMENC.

Lisa Hafner Fisher is the elementary music specialist at Shepard Elementary in Plano, Texas. She teaches kindergarten through fifth grade music through a Kodály-based curriculum. She also maintains a small horn studio in the area. Fisher was 2003-2004 president of the CMENC chapter at Arkansas Tech University.

Dustin Summey was the 2004-2005 president of CMENC at Arkansas Tech University. At Russellville High School (AR) he teaches Music Technology and EAST (Environmental and Spatial Technology) – best described as technology-infused service learning. He teaches online Survey of Fine Arts and Computerized Business Applications courses through Arkansas Virtual High School. He regularly presents workshops on strategies for integrating technology into all areas of music instruction.

Jared Jones graduated from Arkansas Tech University in Russellville, Arkansas, in December of 2008 with a bachelor's degree in music education. He is currently a free-lance music educator in the Bentonville, Arkansas, area assisting with the 7th- and 8th-grade bands at Washington Junior High, working with the 7th-grade brass class and 8th-grade band at Lincoln Junior High, and assisting with marching band and freshman band rehearsals at Bentonville High School. He also teaches private lessons.

Amanda Oldner received her bachelor’s degree in music education from Arkansas Tech University in Russellville, Arkansas in December 2008. She currently teaches general music at Russellville’s Upper Elementary 5th Grade and maintains a small piano studio in the area. She is also the pianist/organist for her church. 

Professional Achievement Recognition

The purpose of the Professional Achievement recognition is to distinguish individual Collegiate members for their commitment and dedication to MENC and music education. This recognition is given to Collegiate members who have served their chapters in an exemplary manner. All Collegiate members who meet the following criteria are eligible to receive this distinction.
Criteria: (all requirements apply)

• Student must be currently enrolled in an active MENC Collegiate chapter.
• Student must also have been a Collegiate member of MENC in the school year prior to the current one.
• Student must possess an overall minimum grade point average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) or equivalent during the year of the application.
• Student must verify participation and involvement in chapter activities.
   

For each eligible Collegiate member, chapter advisors should send a completed Professional Achievement application and a description of the eligible member's participation and involvement in chapter-related activities to MENC. Applications must be sent to MENC on or before February 28. Recipients of this recognition receive a Certificate of Achievement and a specially designed lapel pin. Each senior nominee will also be considered for a $500 grant from the Caitlin Merie Hurrey Memorial Scholarship.
 

New! Collegiate Specialty Items …

• Blanket: Light gray, 50 x 60 inches machine washable fleece. MENC Collegiate logo in black and white stitching. #8055. $20.00/$15.00 MENC members
• Pen/Highlighter: Dual ended with black ink and yellow highlighter. Silver pen with black MENC collegiate logo. #8057. $1.60/$1.20 MENC members
• Lapel Pin: ¾” steel pin with dark and light blue enamel. #8056. $1.60/$1.20 MENC members

To order: Call 1-800-828-0229 or visit www.menc.org.
 

Member Benefit Spotlight 

MENC's "Ask the Mentors" Forum

Do you have music education questions? MENC’s mentors have the answers!
Each month from September to May, the “Ask the Mentors” forum features a different mentor for band, orchestra, chorus, general music, jazz, and mariachi. The mentors are veteran teachers who provide advice in response to your teaching questions. Visit www.menc.org/mentors to post questions and read responses. Read about this month’s MENC Mentors.

Month of February
Band – Frank Dubuy
General Music – Connie Hale
Chorus – Maria Schwab
Orchestra – Linda McNair
Jazz – Jeff Kunkel
Guitar – Ina Allen

Chapter Spotlights

Brigham Young University of Idaho – Rexburg, ID
Advisor: Diane Soelberg

 

CMENC Chapter Hosts Teacher Panel
In May 2009 BYU Idaho’s CMENC Chapter hosted a teacher panel consisting of Ted Ashton, Kendall Nielsen, and Dr. Kevin Brower. Over 25 people attended to hear from these outstanding teachers of music. Mr. Ashton taught that “everybody does something better than I do,” to teach that though we are the teachers, we can learn from students and we can share with them. Dr. Brower taught that teachers are builders of all things, especially souls. Teachers can help their students be the best person that they can be while in their classes. Mr. Nielsen spoke about becoming the best teacher you can be by thinking about the characteristics of the teachers you’ve liked, and then apply those characteristics to your career as a teacher. All the students walked away with some new nugget of knowledge to help them in their own teaching careers.

Student Spotlight: Jaclyn Boskamp
University of Indianapolis – Indianapolis, IN

University of Indianapolis senior Jaclyn Boskamp is among just three Indiana college students to receive one of this year’s Outstanding Future Music Educator awards, presented in January 2010 at the Indiana Music Educators Association/National Association for Music Education (MENC) Conference. Boskamp, a music education major from Merrillville, is currently president of the University of Indianapolis CMENC Chapter.

The criteria for the award, established in 1995, include leadership and participation in chapter-related activities, involvement in music education activities (such as field experiences, volunteer work and summer or part-time work in schools) and a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.

Current News and Announcements

Student Composers Competition

MENC is seeking original music of student composers for featured performances during Music Education Week to be held June 24-29, 2010, in Washington, D.C. Selected compositions will be the best representative works from MENC's six divisions in each of the following levels: elementary/middle school, high school, and undergraduate/graduate school. The instrumental composition category is for woodwinds, solo or any combination of instruments up to a woodwind quintet and piano. Visit contest page for rules and entry form. Deadline: February 15, 2010.

Apply for a $3,000 College Scholarship from Strings

Studying to become a concert violinist? Want to teach at a university? Whether you are pursuing a music-related degree or know someone who is, we encourage you to help yourself or help a friend achieve the dream of becoming a professional musician or educator. Simply download this scholarship application form.

College-level string players preparing for a career in music education or music performance may be eligible to receive the annual Strings Magazine Scholarship Award of $3,000. Act now! The completed application and other materials must be mailed and postmarked no later than April 1, 2010.

2010 Biennial Music Educators National Conference

Join fellow music education majors March 25-27, 2010 in Anaheim, California for 2 days of workshops specifically geared toward Collegiate students. Here are some of the sessions you will see:

• Advocacy: Gaining Local Support for Your Programs (Jill Sullivan and David Rickels)
• Classroom Management: More than Just Keeping the Lid On (Margaret Schmidt)
• The Role of Assessment in Music Teaching (Suzanne Burton)
• The First Year on the Job: It's Not All About Performing (Richard Sang with panel of local first year teachers)
• Job Search and Interviewing (Jill Sullivan)
• Survival Tips for Music Teachers in Rural, Suburban and Urban Settings (Janice Smith, Michele Kaschub and Frank Heuser)
• Getting the Most Out of Your Undergraduate Experience and Student Teaching (Cindy Bell and Nathalie Robinson)
• Inclusion in the Music Class (Deborah Blair)
   

For registration and housing information, visit 2010 Music Educators National Conference.

2010 Music Education Week

Music Education Week is a new annual event created by MENC at the direction of the MENC National Executive Board. It is built around a new format, different from that of past national biennial conferences. This format is designed to provide members with opportunities for music education advocacy, intensive professional development, and performances in a destination location on an annual basis, and during the summer instead of the school year. Watch MENC’s Web site for program details.

Get Ready for Music In Our Schools Month!

Music In Our Schools Month (MIOSM) is the time of year when music education becomes the focus of schools across the nation. MIOSM began as a single statewide celebration in 1973, and has grown over the decades to become a month-long celebration of school music. The purpose of MIOSM is to raise awareness of the importance of music education for all children and to remind citizens that school is where all children should have access to music. Here are some MIOSM activity ideas.

2010 World's Largest Concert®

Plan to participate in the World's Largest Concert on March 11, 2010. Visit the World's Largest Concert Web site to download your free sheet music, rehearsal tracks, and lesson plans. Pre-order your 2010 World's Largest Concert DVD now for late February delivery.
 

MENC Book

Enhancing the Professional Practice of Music Teachers: 101 Tips that Principals Want Music Teachers to Know and Do

By Paul G. Young

 If you want to improve your professional performance and set yourself apart from your colleagues--in any discipline--these tips are for you. If you desire anything less than achieving the very best, you won't want this book.

Rather than addressing research and theory about music education or the "how-tos" of teaching, these time-honored tips focus on common-sense qualities and standards of performance that are essential for success-everywhere. Whether you're considering a career in music education, entering your first year of teaching, or nearing the end of a distinguished tenure, this advice applies to musicians in any setting. Affirming quality performance for experienced teachers and guiding, nurturing, and supporting the novice, Young outlines what great music teachers do. Easy to read and straightforward, read it from beginning to end or focus on tips of interest. Come back time and again for encouragement, ideas, and affirmation of your choice to teach music.

This book is a feature in three of our weekly Band articles here:
Common Sense Tips, Part 1
Common Sense Tips, Part 2
Common Sense Tips, Part 3

For complete tips and details, Enhancing the Professional Practice of Music Teachers: 101 Tips that Principals Want Music Teachers to Know and Do is available with a 25% discount to MENC members from Rowman & Littlefield Education.

February  Poll

Each month, MENC asks its members for their input on current issues and trends in music education. This months question is: Has the TV show "Glee" had any effect on your music program? Share your thoughts today.

February Monthly Special

 In February only, MENC members can purchase a package of three MIOSM posters for only $1.50—half off the regular price! 2010 MIOSM Poster. #7037R. $1.50.

No additional purchase is required. This special is not available at state conference resource shops. Call 1-800-828-0229 or visit  www.menc.org to order.

Follow MENC on Twitter

Collegiate Facebook Groups

• Stay connected with other MENC Collegiate members around the world by joining MENC’s Collegiate Facebook group. To join, simply visit www.facebook.com and search “MENC Collegiate Headquarters.”
• Want to know what’s happening at MENC Headquarters? Become a fan of MENC on Facebook!

MENC on LinkedIn

Connect with fellow MENC members and music education advocates on LinkedIn, a professional networking site. Participate in discussions about current topics, get music education news, and network with others in the field. To join, login to LinkedIn, select "Search Groups" from the top drop-down menu, and search for "MENC." If you haven't created an account yet, you can sign up at linkedin.com.

New MENC Collegiate Home Page

Check out the new MENC Collegiate Home page with announcements and news, and links to all things collegiate.

--Jen Reed, February 4, 2010, © MENC: The National Association for Music Education