Abstract
It is with great anticipation and excitement that I have accepted the chance to serve our profession as President of the National Association for Music Education (NAfME). I am humbled and most honored to work with our Federated Music Education Associations and with our individual members as we meet the challenges that we face and work to move forward.
Our rapidly changing environment, influenced by technological, economic, and political variables, poses a major challenge, as well as offers opportunities for music education. What will the education of our students look like regardless of where it takes place—in public/private schools, virtual/online education, charter schools, and home education—during 2018 to 2020?
In November, the United States will experience its midterm elections for our federal government and elect thirty-six state governors and 6,069 legislators, or about 82 percent of the state legislative seats in our country. At this critical time, we as citizens need to get out and VOTE! The importance of NAfME members voting in national, state, and local elections cannot be overstated. Public education funding and policy, which impact music education, will be decided by the people who get voted into office in 2018. Encourage others to vote as well.
Engagement in and for music education will be the focus of my presidency and the focus of this column over the next two years. As we look to engage NAfME members, our students, other educators, parents and guardians, elected officials, and community members, we need to consider what we do and why and how it helps us achieve our goals.
To engage all stakeholders, we need to communicate with, inspire, and encourage the people in our spheres to help provide a well-rounded education for all of our students. Working together, we can both strengthen our profession and our students’ musical experiences at all levels.
Together We Will Address:
Inclusion, diversity, equity, and access
Social justice for our membership and our students
Effective advocacy at the local, state, and national levels
State music education association (MEA) issues
Relevant professional development
Implementation of the 2014 Music Standards
The importance of student engagement in the Artistic Processes of Creating, Performing, and Responding
In What Should We Engage Stakeholders?
Understanding the importance of music education by providing a well-rounded education for all students
Recognizing that each of us can make a difference when facing challenges ranging from under-resourced schools and limited incomes to helping students achieve their potential and move forward to happy and successful lives
Why Should We Engage?
Increase opportunities for a high-quality music education for students
Improve teaching and learning
Encourage parents and members of our communities to advocate for music education
Where Should We Engage?
In our local communities
In local elections from school boards to county polling booths
At the state level in legislative activity in our state capitols
In communication with our state Departments of Education
At the national level through our members of Congress
In conjunction with NAfME
How Do We Begin to Engage?
NAfME has designed a Civic Action Field Guide to help you engage as an informed citizen in this fall’s elections. It includes easy ways to find out what offices are on your November ballot, how to register to vote, and how to find out where candidates stand on issues such as public education funding.
Over the year, we will update the Field Guide to help you engage with your state legislature, connect with your state MEA’s advocacy leadership, and learn about issues impacting music education. If you have ideas on what should be included, please let us know at
See You in Dallas!
One of our best opportunities to engage with each other, to acquire new skills and receive professional development recognition, and to be uplifted as a teacher is at our annual national conferences. I look forward to seeing you at the upcoming NAfME National Conference November 11–14, 2018, in Dallas, Texas. It will be a chance to Amplify: Lead, Engage, and Inspire.