WHAT IS YOUR ROLE AS A TENNESSEE MUSIC EDUCATOR?
Within the limits of local law and custom, the music educator can lead community efforts to delineate and articulate the benefits of music education for every child. This leadership includes:
First Steps
- Contacting your state's MEA for advice and materials (see officers’ listing on this website)
- Logging onto websites that deal with advocacy efforts for music education.
- Calling key players in your area to set up a meeting to discuss the crisis and to develop an action plan
Subsequent Steps
- Creating a network database (phone numbers, e-mail addresses, etc.) that will be in place before an emergency exists
- Seeking potential leaders from parent groups for advocacy efforts and presentations
- Defining and coordinating advocacy efforts in a crisis
- Being proactive in developing positive relationships (administrators, boards of education, parents, legislators) as a means of avoiding adversarial relationships
- Educating parents, administrators, board of education members, and the community about the importance and value of music for all students
- Maintaining ongoing awareness after a crisis