If you are reading this article in the
“Tennessee Musician” you are likely a TMEA member and I urge you to pass this
on to your non-member colleagues. You
could be reading this on the TMEA website and are interested in learning about
TMEA. This article is directed toward
state music teachers who are not yet members of TMEA.
As a new teacher you may have wondered if
the money spent for memberships in professional teaching organizations and
specifically our regional, state and national music organizations is worth it —
what will this money do for me and my teaching?
How will it benefit my students?
I remember as a new teacher many years ago
being focused on the efficient operation of my music program as well as
producing my idea of quality performances.
I soon learned that the more important focus of my teaching experience
should be my students — pro-viding them with the best musical experiences
possible and with the most opportunities to perform and develop their musical
abilities. Your regional TMEA
organization is the first and best avenue for accomplishing this.
TMEA has nine regional affiliated
organizations in elementary, vocal and instrumental music and they all offer a
wide variety of student opportunities.
From festivals in solo and ensemble, concert and marching to various
clinics and workshops, your students have the opportunities to be exposed to a
wide variety of experiences that will give them different perspectives and
enjoyment besides what they receive from you in the classroom. And as they progress through your teaching
and these experiences they could have the opportunity to participate in
festivals and all-state groups on the state level. Interaction with fellow students in these
events can be learning experiences as well.
If you are an elementary general music
teacher with fewer events for your students, TMEA and its regional general
music associations are especially vital to you as vehicles for learning about
many components of teaching, including standards, new strategies, state
requirements and summer program opportunities.
When I began my teaching I was fortunate to
have a local mentor in the same field who guided me
through tough times and learning experiences and was there to answer the
inevitable questions. Perhaps you as a
new teacher are also fortunate to have such a mentor. Additionally, our TMEA and MENC organizations
as well as your regional groups have mentorship programs and workshops that can
be of such great help to a new teacher.
Our state and national websites (http://www.tnmea.organd
www.menc.org)
have discussion boards in all music fields that are very effective mentoring
websites. In addition, MENC and TMEA publications are part of
one’s membership and contain a wealth of information to assist both teacher and
student in improving many aspects of music teaching, learning and performance.
TMEA has undergone some reorganizational
changes in recent years that have been widely viewed as very positive for you
and your students. More specifically, TMEA’s annual In-Service Conference in Nashville affords
you many varied opportunities for learning and growth through clinics,
workshops, concerts and exhibits, plus it is an opportune time to share
experiences with colleagues throughout the state.
We are all in our field of teaching because
we love and appreciate music and receive great satisfaction from seeing
students progress from the beginning level to a rewarding musical
performance. Our focus is on our
students and how we can provide them the widest variety of quality musical
experiences. Membership in TMEA and its
affiliated organizations will provide you and your students with such support
and opportunities for musical growth.
It is my hope that this article has been
informative enough to persuade you to become a member of TMEA, for yourself and
for your students. If you are a new
teacher, and especially if you are the only teacher in your field at your
school, you need TMEA for the support it can give you, providing the many
opportunities I have mentioned. For its
continuing growth TMEA needs you as well.
Together we can continue to grow and be an even more supportive force
for music and Tennessee’s music students.
Ray Bell –
In addition to being our 22nd TMEA President,
Mr. Bell taught junior high and middle school bands for 27 years.