Winter Issue 2014-15
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Southeast District Report
Greetings from Southeast District! It's been a busy start to the school year with
many changes. We are a smaller district and, by my latest calculations, we
have 110 elementary through high school music teachers. We had 18 position
changes over the summer - 17 new or changed positions and, unfortunately, one
position lost to downsizing. I don't know about other districts but those were
fairly significant changes for us.
An additional change this summer was Alan Paxson of Chetopa taking over officially as SE District Executive Director after our June district board meeting. We continue to be in very capable hands. As I did last year, I'm borrowing excerpts from our three district Honors Educators. I know that too often I can get caught up in the busyness of school year and lose focus, and it has been great to be reminded once again why we are doing what we are doing through the philosophy statements of the outstanding educators and the reference letters of the people that support them.
"After starting my fourteenth year of teaching, I've grown to realize that music is
a foundational component of our educational system. There is no other subject
area that encompasses all other subjects to the extent that music does for the
learner. We don't teach so children are better at math or reading, but we teach
music so they feel and value everything music brings to their lives. In the
process, it is only natural that our students excel in other subject areas."
Amanda Johnson, SE Outstanding Elementary Music Educator from USD 234 - Ft. Scott
"My privilege as a music educator is to start working with a Kindergartener and
have them until the day of their graduation. In the end, I have tried not only to
develop an appreciation for a tremendous art form, I have helped guide and
encourage a student with skills they will be using for the remainder of their lives.
If for some untold reason we stop presenting music to children, life will never be
the same and life itself will be tougher for so many."
Linda Shilts-Baum, SE Outstanding Middle School Music Educator from USD 282 - West Elk
"My older brother was told in high school by a music teacher that he couldn't
sing because he was a jock. I never bought that. I believe that we all have a song
in our heart to be discovered, and sing, regardless of race, social status, wealth
or strength. The lessons and communication of the spirit through song will last
for an eternity. There was a reason Martin Luther stated: 'Next to the word of
God, I give to music the highest place and honor."
Our chairs and facility managers are busy preparing for our district's upcoming
events. We are looking forward to having the following clinicians work with our
2014-2015 honor ensembles:
Russ Vallier, SE Outstanding High School Music Educator from USD 413 - Chanute. Well said Russ.
KMEA Southeast District Calendar of Events
It has been and is still a privilege for me to serve as district president for SE Kansas and I hope to see all of our teachers over the next few months. Teachers, take advantage of the different opportunities offered by the SE district and be sure to check out our website ksmea.org/se for more information regarding our district events. 2014-15 Outstanding Music Educators
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