Words cannot describe the impact that this year's conference had on our general music teachers in the state of Tennessee. Starting at 8:00 on Thursday morning, over 40 people attended Betsy Carter's wonderful session about composing in Kindergarten and 1st Grade. WHAT??? Composition that early? Well, in order to be in compliance with our new standards, we have to learn different ways to compose in the early years. Thankfully, our very own Tennessee teacher was able to share that with us. 

Then, we had the privilege of attending the General Session with "five-time CMA Awards winner Martina McBride, Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam, Tennessee Education Commissioner Dr. Candice McQueen and University of Tennessee associate music professor Dr. Johnathan Vest. The panel was moderated by CMA Chief Executive Officer Sarah Trahern..." (Read more about it HERE: www.cmaworld.com/cma-foundation-announces-1-million-initiative-state-tennessee-support-statewide-music-arts-education/) HUGE thank you to the CMA Foundation for all you did to support our conference this year. I spoke to some educators who received your scholarship for conference, and they were all so thankful for this experience. Without you, they may not have been able to come.

​Thursday continued on with presentations from Steve Campbell at Dancing Drum, Miss Carole from Macaroni Soup sponsored by Bear Paw Creek, and a ukulele session by myself and Dr. Andrew Perry of Peripole. Yes, ALL of that happened on ONE day. Our highest attended session had over 85 teachers in attendance! This was incredible! A HUGE thank you to Peripole for donating their time and instruments to our conference. Because of them, we were able to have wonderful resources and instruments for our presenters and teachers to use for their sessions. 

Then, Friday came. Thank you SO much to GIA Publications for sponsoring Dr. John Feierabend's sessions. He presented two sessions on Friday, and they were wonderful. Also, a HUGE thanks to Peripole for sponsoring Dr. Rene Boyer's sessions. She shared three sessions with our TN teachers on Friday! We also had another session from Miss Carole, which was fabulous! Also, we had an elementary school, Idlewild Elementary under the direction of Allen Moody, perform a spotlight concert! What an amazing experience for those students.

Saturday started off with a BANG! 175 students from 45 schools performed in our Tennessee Treble Honor Choir to a crowd of over 600 people under the direction of Dr. Martha Shaw. Thank you to Tiffany Barton who made sure this year was such a success, excellent job! Also, we had a three hour session by Dr. John Feierabend, and I am certain the 60+ teachers that were there were filled with TONS of new material for their students. 

​Didn't make it this year? Don't worry, next year will be just as great! Mark your calendar for April 10-13 in Nashville at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel and Convention Center.

Before I finish up this blog, I want to take a moment to thank our vendors and our donors: Peripole, Sweet Pipes Recorders, Quaver, GIA Publications, Dancing Drum, Music K-8, Jessica Young, Amy Abbott, Aileen Miracle, David Row, Tracy King and, Caspar Babypants. You make our world go 'round! 

Teachers who attended this year, thank you for trusting TnMEA and myself to give you what you needed at this year's conference. I hope your time was well spent and you will return to our conference. To those who did not make it, we will definitely hope that you will come! See ya next year!
​

What is your Alma Mater?
University of Mississippi

Where do you currently teach?
Egypt Elementary, Memphis

How long have you been teaching?
7 years

Why do you choose to be a member of TMEA?
There are so many incredible professional development opportunities for me, and students have the opportunity to participate in music outside of the school.

What do you love about teaching?
I love sharing my love of music with young people, and hopefully fostering a love of music as well.

If you could choose another job for one day, what would it be?
Park Ranger

Tell us one thing about you that people would be surprised to know or something you are passionate about besides teaching.
I enjoy building and restoring furniture. A good majority of the furniture in my home was built by me.

Share a fun and unique idea that you use in your classroom!
​​​​After mastering a skill/concept, I have students put their arms up and copy me in sayings like, "Oh yeah" "I'm the greatest" etc after they do something positive. It really boosts the classroom morale, and makes the students feel really good about their hard work. (I enjoy doing it too

What is your Alma Mater?
The University of Memphis

Where do you currently teach?
Memphis, TN

How long have you been teaching?
19 years

Why do you choose to be a member of TMEA?
TnMEA membership allows my students to participate in regional/state competitions.

What do you love about teaching?
I love helping others and I love music. Being a Music teacher allows me to combine these two things into one awesome career.

If you could choose another job for one day, what would it be?
I would love to be a police officer for a day.

Tell us one thing about you that people would be surprised to know or something you are passionate about besides teaching.
I just finished my Admin degree/Praxis test and I look forward to the next challenge in my career- becoming an administrator. Outside of the education field, I am also passionate about running. I am working on running a marathon in each of the fifty states and on all seven continents.

Share a fun and unique idea that you use in your classroom!
I like to use stations for my students, just like a basketball coach. I try to focus on 4 areas that will help them learn a new concept or piece of music. Then, I model each of the stations and find a student leader to monitor the station. Finally, all of the other students visit each station in a clockwise rotation.

As General Music Education teachers, we are constantly tied for time. We have a program coming up, testing is approaching, PTO meetings to prepare for, lesson planning, etc. As a fellow elementary teacher, I completely understand. I also understand the lack of funding for these conferences. But, I have some answers for you!

Before we go further, I want to tell you about the countless door prizes we have coming from Music is Elementary, Music K-8, TeachersPayTeachers stores, etc. AND Peripole will be a vendor this year, so you will be able to save money on shipping and they have great conference specials! 

This conference will be worth every ounce of time you can give it. We will have nationally renowned music education specialists coming to share a variety of new ideas with our teachers. Here is a list of some of these educators:

1. John Feierabend is a leading authority on music and movement development. He is Professor Emeritus and former Director of Music Education at the The Hartt School of the University of Hartford. He is committed to collecting, preserving and teaching the diverse folk music of our country and to the understanding and enjoyment of classical music. Dr. Feierabend’s teaching provides teachers and their students with the materials and techniques to build community through music by involving enthusiastic participation of all people. His approach strives for all to become tuneful, beautiful and artful through two methods: First Steps in Music© and Conversational Solfege©. (Dr. Feierabend will be our 3 hour session presenter on Saturday immediately following the Treble Choir Performance).

2. Carole Stephens – Miss Carole from Macaroni Soup- Sing! Stamp! Clap! March! Is your classroom bursting with action verbs? Children learn by moving through their environment. Active music participation provides opportunities for children of ALL abilities to work on social, emotional and physical skills. Throw in some early literacy skills, and you’re harnessing the power of music for young learners!

3. Dr. Rene Boyer - Professor Emeritus of Music Education at the University of Cincinnati’s College Conservatory of Music.  She is known nationally and internationally for her work in multicultural and urban music education. Her publications include: Share the Music and Spotlight on Music published by Macmillan McGraw-Hill; "Expressions of Freedom: An Anthology of African American Spirituals" in three volumes; "Walking in the Light of Freedom", also in three volumes,  and Songs and Rhythms of a Nation:  A Journey of American Heritage, all published by Hal Leonard.

4. Steve Campbell of Dancing Drum will present two daytime drumming sessions and an evening interactive drum circle at the 2018 TMEA Conference! Enhance the cooperative skills of your students through grade level rhythms, chants and drum breaks that promote teamwork and focus! Learn several exciting and engaging drum arrangements that encourage grade level pride and collaboration in your music classroom.

There are many other sessions offered for general teachers as well! With a list this strong, how could you NOT make time to attend this conference! You can only come two days? Ok, come Friday and Saturday! Can only come one day? Great! Choose a day! It is also important to know that we will have the Saturday 3 hour workshop again! Be sure to come join us.

Now, how can I find funds to get there?? Check out this site: help.donorschoose.org/hc/en-us/articles/204363783-Creating-a-Professional-Development-Project to learn how to create a donors choose.org project to attend conference! There are also many grant opportunities out there, so try to apply soon! 

Comment below with any questions, I will be glad to help!

What is your Alma Mater?
The University of TN at Martin

Where do you currently teach?
Snowden School in Memphis, Tn

How long have you been teaching?
This is my 8th year!

Why do you choose to be a member of TMEA?
Because my membership provides me with amazing opportunities to network and receive exemplary professional development. I also love that TMEA advocates for music education for all.

What do you love about teaching?
That I get to show my kids that I love them. 

If you could choose another job for one day, what would it be?
A dog rescuer! :) 

Tell us one thing about you that people would be surprised to know or something you are passionate about besides teaching.
I am a HUGE animal lover... and stray dogs seem to know that! We have had as many as 5 dogs at one time...

Share a fun and unique idea that you use in your classroom!
​​I love using aurasma, and you can read about how I use it here in volume 69 page 25 of the TMEA website.

What is your Alma Mater?
Eastman School of Music

Where do you currently teach?
Bruce Elementary, Memphis, TN

How long have you been teaching?
10 years

Why do you choose to be a member of TMEA?
I love the opportunity to network with colleagues across the state, get fantastic PD and to advocate for my profession.

What do you love about teaching?
I love helping my students find their creative voice and seeing them grow from year to year.

If you could choose another job for one day, what would it be?
National Park Ranger

Tell us one thing about you that people would be surprised to know or something you are passionate about besides teaching.
I love to take car trips and have been to 43 states!

Share a fun and unique idea that you use in your classroom!
​​​Lately, I've been enjoying collaborating with music teachers outside of my school We share ideas, plans/activities, and even videos. My students love to watch kids the same age from another school and then learn what they are doing and see how they can improve their playing, singing, and dancing.

What is your Alma Mater?
University of Tennessee at Martin

Where do you currently teach?
Madison Creek Elementary School, Sumner County Schools, Goodlettsville, TN

How long have you been teaching?
25 years

Why do you choose to be a member of TMEA?
I choose to be a member of TMEA because as an elementary general music teacher, you are often "alone" in your world. If you teach in a rural district, the feeling of being on your own is even more prevalent. TMEA offers ALL teachers a network of immediate friends and sounding boards. The expertise that is found in TMEA is amazing. There is a wealth of never ending ideas, lessons, resources, innovation, creativity -- and I could go on and on... If you then include the very close friendships that have grown from having met through TMEA, it is truly a life-changing membership. I cannot even begin to verbalize the meaning my TMEA colleagues have to me.

What do you love about teaching?
I love seeing a child's eyes opened about something they may not have ever thought about being a passion. Through music, our children try things, take chances, trust in the goodness of people, believe in the ability of ALL... it is a transformative experience. I also, having taught so long, am loving seeing my "babies" who have gone on into the music business, whether performing, teaching, technical... That is one of the coolest things. To know I had one little part in forming the adult they have become.

If you could choose another job for one day, what would it be?
I would love to influence future music teachers.

Tell us one thing about you that people would be surprised to know or something you are passionate about besides teaching.
I have a passion for musical theatre. When I directed the church youth choir, a group of us would write the musical we took on tour each summer. Writing the musicals were a highlight of my life. Being in collaboration with other amazing musicians and lyricists was wonderful. My favorite musical we wrote dealt with the aftermath of a close friends suicide. "Dear Evan Hansen" is eerily similar to what we wrote so many years ago. My husband and I revived "Never the Same" a couple of summers ago - I had several former babies that were in the production, as well as my daughter. It was like coming full circle. Two weeks to the day after we finished NTS, my father passed away and my daughter was there. One of the songs we had written was "Hope Carries On". My daughter was the one who sang that in the new production... but we changed the original song instrumentation. She played it on acoustic guitar and parts were a cappella... it was amazing.

Share a fun and unique idea that you use in your classroom!
​​​I do not do the same programs year to year... mainly to save my own sanity! However that being said, my 5th grade program is almost identical year to year. What makes it unique (I think) is it is completely done in black lights. The kids wear all black clothes (long sleeves and legs) except for white socks. I have white gloves for each of them and white masks (they only wear this for one song - Thriller Dance). They do a showcase of what they have learned the past six years in music - a choral octavo, a drumming showcase, a dance, a rhythm exploration (basketball routine) and end with educating parents on form (Danse Macabre) where the kids play the melody and visually show form. It is a lot of fun and the whole school looks forward to it each October. ​

What is your Alma Mater?
MTSU and Arkansas State

Where do you currently teach?
McFadden School of Excellence in Rutherford County

How long have you been teaching?
31 years

Why do you choose to be a member of TMEA?
TnMEA is the professional organization that provides help and resources for all music educators. I feel it's important to support the excellent work done by TnMEA.

What do you love about teaching?
I love that every day is a surprise! My work is never boring, and there is never a dull moment teaching elementary music.

If you could choose another job for one day, what would it be?
I would enjoy being a studio singer!

Tell us one thing about you that people would be surprised to know or something you are passionate about besides teaching.
My faith and my family are the two most important things in my life.

Share a fun and unique idea that you use in your classroom!
​​I have created poems, songs, and rhythmic speech pieces for many of the music vocabulary words that we use in class. It has enabled my students to remember and understand terms that they used to forget.

What is your Alma Mater?
Trinity University in San Antonio, TX

Where do you currently teach?
Carl Schurz Elementary in New Braunfels, TX

How long have you been teaching?
12 years

Why do you choose to be a member of TMEA?
Membership in our local and national music education organizations is important to the life of our community. Organizations like TnMEA and NAfME help advocate for music, provide quality resources and valuable training for teachers, and provide a network of people who are passionate about music and teaching. I joined TnMEA because I want to be a part of improving and bringing music education to all - our great purpose as teachers!

What do you love about teaching?
I love interacting with students. I love bringing an unforgettable experience to them that may impact their lives permanently. I love watching them grow as musicians and become independent from me. My life was changed through music - I want to give others that same opportunity!

If you could choose another job for one day, what would it be?
I honestly cannot answer this question! I cannot imagine any other job being as fulfilling and rewarding.

Tell us one thing about you that people would be surprised to know or something you are passionate about besides teaching.
I enjoy sewing and making things for people I care about.

Share a fun and unique idea that you use in your classroom!
​Using GarageBand and iPads, I guide 5th graders on writing and recording their own remixes to folk songs they know. It is an engaging unit for them and gives them freedom to create something that is truly their own.