Our school district recently changed over to a new business and purchase order system and as one of the people that has access to this system, they asked me to read a book called Our Iceberg is Melting. This book is similar to Who Stole My Cheese?, but the metaphor this time uses penguins trying to cope with radical changes to their "norms". Anyway, the point is, the decision to move forward with splitting the Northeast District into two new districts over the next few years is bringing about a huge change and causing some concern about "icebergs melting" in the Northeast District. I want to assure everyone both within the district and outside that I firmly believe we have made the right decision, the state leadership has developed a great plan to guide the process and everyone involved has the dedication to the profession, members and students to do this the right way. Rarely is change "comfortable", but the goals that drove the decision are worthy of everyone learning to adapt and grow. Following our September 10 District Meeting where KMEA President Avian Bear and I laid out where things were at and where they were going, I saw several groups of teachers gathered already discussing some of their thoughts and ideas.

As I finish up fulfilling my duties as the President of the Northeast District of KMEA, I want to take this opportunity to thank the members of the Northeast District Board. It has been my pleasure to do my part in helping promote the goals and purpose of the organization and the group of teachers that has served as the Board during my tenure have made it easy. It is no small task to organize and run auditions of over 1200 high school students and pull off mini-conventions at three different sites—this is a great team.

Speaking of great teachers... I am pleased to present the names of this year's Northeast District Outstanding Music Educator Award recipients, who will also be recognized at our December 7 district mini-conventions:

2013-14 Outstanding Music Educators

Elementary Mary Vanausdall Vocal Kansas City John Fiske Elementary

Middle Level Laurie McKinney Orchestra Lawrence South Middle School

High School Steve Adams Band Shawnee Mission South High School

All awardees:

• Elementary
  • Band - Tammy Gigstad, Jefferson County North
  • Vocal - Mary Vanausdall, John Fiske Elementary School, KCK
  • Orchestra - JJ Wallace, Gardner
• Middle Level
  • Band - Megan Earney, Indian Woods Middle School, Shawnee Mission
  • Choir - Carolyn Welch, Lawrence Children's Choir
  • Orchestra - Laurie McKinney, South Middle School, Lawrence
• High School
  • Band - Steve Adams, Shawnee Mission South High School
  • Choir - Elise Peterson, Shawnee Mission South High School
  • Orchestra - Cecily Mahan, Olathe North High School

KMEA Northeast District Calendar of Events
November 16 - High School Auditions at Olathe East High School
December 7 - District Mini-Conventions (clinicians are listed next to ensembles)

Band: Blue Valley High School

5A/6A Red Band - Matthew Smith
5A/6A Blue Band - Joe Parisi
1A-4A Gold Band - Donald Linn
High School Jazz Band - Jim Mair
Freshman Band - Frank Tracz
7th/8th Grade Band - John Bell

Choir: Shawnee Mission Northwest High School

High School Choir - Julie Yu-Oppenheim
Middle Level Choir - Greg Gilpin
Elementary Choir - Jeff Sandquist

Orchestra: Olathe South High School

High School Orchestra - Michael Hopkins
Freshman Orchestra - Steve Smith
Middle Level Orchestra - Monty Carter
Elementary Orchestra - Cody Toll