"Location, location, location!" You have probably heard about the motto of all real estate agents and retail stores... I'm sure there are others. In those markets, location is very important to the outcome of their business. Location is a concern for new music teachers, or rather I say "fit," but that is just one aspect. The "real" new music teacher motto, should be fashioned from that line... "Priorities, priorities, priorities!" The first year of teaching music is a year filled with many new experiences, and in some cases, many experiences you did not know about until it was almost too late, or worst case, it was too late and you completely missed it. I know, because I missed a few things my first year. However, knowing how to prioritize in your new career and staying ahead will give you the time to collect the information needed to teach your students properly and give them the very best experiences you can offer them in music! Having a good mentor should be one of your first priorities!
Now, I will let you in on a little secret... You cannot do everything at the annual Kansas Music Educators Association In-Service Workshop! Don't even try. But what you can do, is begin planning now (prioritize, if you will) the great events most suited to your needs as a first year music teacher in the state of Kansas. Here are a few thoughts on prioritizing your planning:
NOW
- If you have not... Pre-Register for the KMEA ISW at www.ksmea.org/iswreg/
- Register for the New Teacher Luncheon: www.ksmea.org/iswreg/newteacher14.php
- If needed... Acquire your time off, Put in for a substitute
- If needed... Make hotel arrangements: www.ksmea.org/conferences/lodging14.php
IN LATE JANUARY/EARLY FEBRUARY
- Begin reading the KMEA ISW events.
- You will want to attend as many learning sessions as possible.
- You will want to attend as many performances as possible.
- Plan to attend the vendor displays and meet them.
- Try to attend any reading sessions presented.
- Use the ISW planner to Prioritize your events and plan your KMEA ISW!
KMEA ISW
The KMEA In-Service Workshop held in Wichita, Kansas, February 27 - March 1, 2014. The KMEA In-Service Workshop, or KMEA ISW will provide you with great networking, excellent examples of performances in your field of music, new and tried and true products for teaching, and incredible clinics geared to boost your effectiveness as a teacher.
The New Teacher Handbook
The KMEA website provides tons of great information, but one of the most helpful parts you will find at the bottom of the left column, which is an area dedicated to the music teacher new to education. This is "The New Teacher Handbook." The KMEA New Music Teacher Handbook is an online resource for new and veteran teachers alike. Resources for handbooks, lesson planning, curriculum assessment, rehearsal techniques, and classroom management can all be found in one place. This is a great place to start!
Tips for You!
The KMEA In-Service Workshop will feature a proven to be helpful event... a question and answer session titled "Tips from the Trenches - How to Survive the First Few Years of Teaching!" During this session, music teachers new to education get the opportunity to listen and speak to a panel of experienced music teachers that have experienced and tackled problems that new teachers may face today. Year after year, the advice, guidance and help given during this session have proven to be quite valuable. New teachers are encouraged to ask questions, but sometimes just listening to the tips and advice given in this session will prove to be a huge teaching aid to the music teacher new to education!
FREE Lunch to Begin Your Afternoon of All-State Performances
Please take time at the KMEA ISW to join the KMEA Mentoring program for a complimentary luncheon on Saturday, March 1, 2014 from 11:30am-1:00pm. This luncheon is given for all Pre-K through 12 music educators who are in their first year of teaching. Guest speakers scheduled for this year will be KMEA President Avian Bear, Kansas State High School Activities Association Assistant Executive Director Reggie Romine, and from Senseney Music, President Lori Supinie speaking on behalf of the Kansas Music Merchants Association. Attendees of this luncheon will receive information on the KMEA Mentoring Program as well as free material courtesy of NAfME, the National Association for Music Education. See? It's not just a free lunch! Join us for this complimentary catered luncheon sponsored by Kansas Music Educators Association, Fruhauf Uniform Company, JW Pepper, and Kansas Music Merchants Association! You must register by February 21, 2014 on the website, so Prioritize and register today at www.ksmea.org/iswreg/newteacher14.php.
Right now, you have the opportunity and time to prioritize your KMEA ISW! As always, your mentor chairpersons in Kansas, whether it be district or state level, are ready to help! We look forward to meeting you at the KMEA ISW in February and March! Again, you can contact your State Mentoring Chairs, Kelly Knedler and Holly Taylor at the email address at the top of this page. Or you may contact your District Mentoring Chairs:
NORTHEAST:
Maggie McKain; nementoring [at] ksmea.org
NORTHWEST:
Dr. Jeff Jordan; nwmentoring [at] ksmea.org
NORTH CENTRAL:
Nancy Monical; ncmentoring [at] ksmea.org
SOUTHEAST:
Rosie Sweaney; sementoring [at] ksmea.org
SOUTHWEST:
Lynn Unruh; swmentoring [at] ksmea.org
SOUTH CENTRAL:
Amy Brown; scmentoring [at] ksmea.org
See you at the KMEA ISW in February, but more importantly at the "Tips from the Trenches" session and the New Teacher Luncheon on March, 1, 2014!