Dear Collegiate Member,

This month’s feature article by Dr. Paul R. Schilf provides a checklist to help new music educators be successful and to improve their instructional skills. In this issue, you will also learn ways you can be a  music education advocate by circulating the Petition for Equal Access to Music Education and participating in Music In Our Schools Month®.

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 Shauna Leavitt.

A Helpful Checklist for New Music Teachers

Dr. Paul R. Schilf, a native of Chicago, IL, serves as associate director of bands and assistant professor of music at Augustana College in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He presently conducts the College & Community Concert Band, The Northlander’s Jazz Ensemble, and the Augustana Brass Choir.   © MENC: The National Association for Music Education.

As mentors for young teachers, veteran music educators can help develop less-experienced teachers with the aid of a checklist. This method, when used for the first few months in a consistent manner, works to improve their instructional skills, self-confidence, and motivational savvy.

Frequently, a new music teacher’s greatest asset is their enthusiasm for their new, undiscovered professional future. Although enthusiasm is a strong instructional asset, this energy often needs to be channeled in positive and organized means to help the young educator attain longevity and keep success. Veteran teachers know the tried and true methods and tactics to engage and students in the program and on their side.

The question often swirls around a variety of educational professional circles by first-year teachers, “What are the first or most important things I need to do to be successful?” After all, student teaching was only one semester away. Veteran teachers seldom place their knowledge and invaluable experience in a succinct, practical response. They often present a good but generic response such as: “share your love of music with students, prepare lesson plans, develop curriculum, assess and evaluate student progress.” This answer falls short of truly methodically assisting new music educators in the day-to-day routine of their first semester.

Checklists with helpful suggestions and ideas are good ways to assist young teachers. Methodical mentoring is found to be a highly successful tool for less experienced educators. For the first months; a daily check-off list can provide the motivation, review, and reinforcement of what good, experienced music educators do. Veteran or rookie, we need to be reminded daily of our responsibilities within our chosen profession. We always work to enhance students’ learning experience and create a positive learning environment. A checklist outlining our educational responsibilities is good for new teachers and can also serve as a refresher for the veterans. Mentoring is often a teaching and learning experience.

A sample professional checklist with ideas and explanations.

Be genuine.

The students can detect a phony miles away. Honesty is always the best policy, tactfully, and positively expressed.

Be enthusiastic.

Many times enthusiasm will assist in solving many of your discipline problems. Students will remain on task and enjoy your class if they are actively engaged in what they are doing. More often than not students will be on your side if they see that you are sold on the product you are selling – arts education can be infectious.

Keep things moving.

Students live in a fast-paced, instant-gratification world. There is nothing more boring to students than when the pace of your lesson drags.

Be fair.

Be very careful that you don’t have or appear to have “favorites.” This takes energy because we naturally gravitate toward certain personalities and styles. Do not vary expectations and format greatly, but remember that each student is unique.

Take an interest in what students are doing outside your classroom.

Your attendance at a basketball game or debate match can do wonders for student morale. The students will respond to you even more if they know you are genuinely interested in them and their non-musical endeavors.

Be courteous and professional in your teaching.

Value the time of your students, parents, colleagues, and administrators. Keep lessons regular and changes or cancellations at a bare minimum. Appearance counts.

Communicate clearly.

State procedures and expectations in writing and share them with parents, students, and staff. Follow up specific issues with phone calls sooner rather than later. Although e-mail is a great tool, never underestimate the power of a phone call. Never assume all the information you give students is conveyed to their parents accurately.

Praise in public; discipline in private.

Don’t get yourself in a “no win” situation with a student in front of the class. Remember that students will do anything to save face in front of their classroom peers.

Ask for help when any problems arise.

Never be afraid to ask for help or admit that things are not going perfectly. They never will.

Be a good listener.

Discuss instructional problems with those who can help to resolve them and work to do the same with your colleagues.

Communicate with other new teachers.

You will quickly discover that you might be experiencing similar problems. There is strength in numbers.

Develop a support network.

Talk to colleagues of all ages and experiences, former teachers, and professional organizations – our profession is filled with individuals who are eager to share ideas and time with you to help you succeed. Engage a mentor at the local, state, or national levels.

Develop your own teaching style.

Take the advice and input from colleagues and administration, but use and develop what works for you. Work with your personality, not against it. Keep in mind why you went in to this profession.

Build students’ confidence.

You catch more flies with honey – but remember you can’t let bad habits go unaddressed. Confident students place their trust in and work with quality educators.

Use interesting teaching and performing materials.

Stay out of ruts. Remember the music that was great when you were a student may be outdated and dull today.

Be organized.

Teaching is hard enough when you are prepared. Don’t make it harder than it already is by being unprepared. For example:

• Write down all contest and festival information on your calendar. Meet deadlines.
• Always be on the lookout for new music at conferences, local stores, and concerts. Know your students’ opinions by talking to them or let them shop with you.
• Order extra scores and parts for contests and festivals early. Publishers get thousands of requests at that time of year.
• Keep an accurate inventory of all instruments, repairs, and uniforms. This will help you design and maintain replacement and repair plans.
• Review all mail and e-mail. In our profession there really are limited junk mailings. Many of these items can help you be more organized or a more effective teacher.
• Promote your concerts in advance. But never use the “us against them” mentality: instead use the “look what we can do together” philosophy.

Stay informed and current.

Join your local, state, and national professional organizations. Knowing what is happening on a state and national level will enable you to improve your local environment for arts education. Professional development is crucial to your success. Visit outstanding programs and incorporate those ideas and tools into your teaching. Then, be sure to share what you learn with your colleagues.

Enjoy yourself by doing your best.

Nothing more can be asked of you than to try your hardest. Furthermore, know that you will make some mistakes. Don’t take yourself too seriously. Humor is a very important teaching and learning tool.

Don’t ignore your private/social life.

At any new position, a pitfall can be to fully immerse yourself in the job. Be sure to take some down time for you and your family.

MOST IMPORTANTLY

Make sure, daily, the students know you care. The adage, “students will not care what you know until they know that you care” are valuable words for all teachers, but especially those of us who teach music.

Advocacy

3 Ways to Change Music Education … for the Better

1. Sign the Petition for Equal Access to Music Education – Help us reach the goal of delivering one million signatures to the new secretary of education on June 18, 2009. Download the petition here.
2. Donate to the Change Drive to Change Education - Ask anyone willing to sign the petition to donate their pocket change to our cause. For more ideas on how your chapter can participate visit here. Donate online.
3. Attend the Rally for Music Education – Join us in Washington, DC, June 18, 2009, to rally for music education at the U.S. Department of Education. At the rally, we’ll deliver the petitions to the new Secretary of Education, followed by a march to Capitol Hill and visits with members of Congress.

March is Music In Our Schools Month® (MIOSM®)

This is the time of year when music education becomes the focus of schools across the nation. Don’t miss the opportunity to celebrate MIOSM in your school and community! Visit the MIOSM page and the links below for activity ideas, advocacy resources, and more information.

MIOSM Awareness Items — These are selling out fast, so order yours today! Items are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Order Your World’s Largest Concert® DVD

Read the Winning MIOSM Student Essays

MIOSM Radio Public Service Announcements

Member Benefit Spotlight

“My Music Class” Now Features Teaching Tips—In response to member requests, MENC has added a “Teaching Tips” function to My Music Class, the online teaching idea center and lesson plan library. In addition to the hundreds of complete lesson plans available exclusively to MENC members, handy tips on a wide range of topics are now accessible. Login with your email address and member number to check out this new feature and add your own tips!

Chapter Corner

MENC Collegiate Chapters Honored for Excellence

MENC announced the winners of its annual Collegiate Chapter of Excellence Recognition, awarded for significant contributions made by a chapter to the development of the MENC Collegiate membership program at its institution. Recognition categories are Music Program, Professional Development, Recruitment Technique, and Service. The 2008 winners are

• Florida International University, Miami—for fundraising and a grant for musical instruments for Miami-Dade County Schools
• University of Alaska at Fairbanks—for the “Great Day in Fairbanks Oral History Project”
• Nazareth College, Rochester, New York—for a musical instrument drive
   

Honorable mention went to the University of Delaware in Newark for its project “Music Major Weekend” for prospective music students. In the area of Professional Development, Nazareth College was acknowledged for a series of student workshops that explored topics ranging from mind, body, and spirit in music making to starting a new music program. The University of Delaware earned honorable mention for creating a professional development session presented at the chapter’s monthly meetings. For more information, visit the Future Teachers section of menc.org.--Roz Fehr

Current News and Announcements

Poll of the Month

In 2008, MENC changed the World's Largest Concert to a DVD format to help teachers have the concert available in their classrooms. Please read the following statement and tell us what you think. "I like the new DVD format of the World's Largest Concert." Share your thoughts here.

March Member Special

Celebrate Music!

Music In Our Schools Month® (MIOSM®) 2009 is here! The March MENC Member Monthly Special features the colorful neon MIOSM pencils. You will want to have plenty of these eye-catching pencils to share with your students, other teachers, parents, and administrators.

In March only, MENC members can purchase MIOSM pencils (12 per box) for only $3.00—half off the regular price! 2009 MIOSM Pencils. #6088R. $3.00.

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

New Multicultural Music Book

Indian Music for the Classroom by Natalie Sarrizin is now available. MENC members receive a 25% discount off the list price of $34.95.

“A comprehensive and accessible textbook on various genres of Indian music—classical, folk, film, and popular—an excellent resource for music educators. Sarrazin brings a depth of insider knowledge to her work based on her research and performance of the music and immersion in the culture.”—Marie McCarthy, professor and chair of music education, University of Michigan.

Natalie Sarrazin holds a Ph.D. in Ethnomusicology and a master’s degree in music education. She is currently assistant professor of music in the Arts for Children program, an interdisciplinary arts program at The College at Brockport, State University of New York.

Performance Opportunities at Music Education Week

Members and their ensembles are invited to perform during Music Education Week in Washington this June. Performance opportunities for this annual program are produced by MENC Events, a component of MENC. This year’s student events will take place in the nation’s capital June 18-21. Performance opportunities include the American Musical Salute to Abraham Lincoln (part of the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial); opening ceremony at the Drum Corps International’s season opener, mass sing-along of the National Anthem at the Lincoln Memorial; and more. Groups of all sizes and experience levels are invited to attend. Overnight packages start at just $299 per person for a 3 day/2 night program. (And it’s not too early to start planning for next year!) For more information, contact MENC Events at 1-800-479-8247 or visit the MENC Events Web site.

“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 offer advice in response to your teaching questions. Visit the Future Teachers Forum to post questions and read responses. Visit MENC Mentors for this month’s mentor bios, and MENC Forums to post questions and read responses.

Month of March

Band – Mindy Scheierman
General Music – Helen Krofchick
Chorus – Elizabeth McAnally
Higher Ed/Admin – Michael Stone
Orchestra – Constance Barrett
Mariachi – Bill Gradante
Jazz – Ron Kearns
Guitar – Glen McCarthy

 --Shauna Leavitt, March 6, 2009 © MENC: The National Association for Music Education.