NCMEA Summer 2020
North Carolina Music Educators Association Summer 2020 journal
North Carolina Music Educators Association Summer 2020 journal
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Relationships<br />
• Given these temporary circumstances, how will<br />
relationship building/maintaining in my program look the<br />
same or different?<br />
• Given these temporary circumstances, what do my<br />
students need to feel valued by me?<br />
• What do my students need to feel valued within the larger<br />
group without physically being together?<br />
• What do my students need to feel seen and heard without<br />
being physically seen or heard?<br />
• How can I maintain relationships with returning students<br />
and create relationships with new students?<br />
Retention<br />
Not only do I fear a loss of momentum within my program, I<br />
fear the loss of actual singers when this season is over. Students<br />
sign up for vocal music to sing, and to sing together! If that is not<br />
possible, retention could be challenging. In case that happens,<br />
turn to a teacher who has built a program from scratch for some<br />
encouragement. Many of our colleagues have started programs<br />
in brand new schools, in addition to the many teachers who have<br />
inherited programs they had to resuscitate and rebuild. These<br />
schools have thriving choral programs! Yes, starting from scratch<br />
has its own challenges, but it can be done.<br />
All of these considerations should be carefully examined<br />
through the lens of your individual teaching context, with your<br />
personal emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual well-being<br />
and limitations in mind. The next few months will likely be hard,<br />
but find your teaching people and plan to lean in and lean on.<br />
(You know you’re singing it.)<br />
The current state of music making, choral music education,<br />
and education as a whole might appear disheartening, but I<br />
remain hopeful, positive, and almost excited, to witness and be a<br />
part of the growth, innovation, and collective progress we will see<br />
in our profession. I thank you in advance for your contribution<br />
to our state, our <strong>NCMEA</strong> organization, and for your hard and<br />
fast work on behalf of all students seeking refuge, belonging,<br />
achievement, and joy in our choral music classrooms.<br />
GEORGE N. PARKS<br />
LEADERSHIP<br />
IN MUSIC EDUCATION AWARD<br />
The George N. Parks Award honors an<br />
exemplary music educator who embodies<br />
the characteristics and leadership that Mr.<br />
Parks showed his students every day.<br />
To nominate a music educator, visit<br />
bit.ly/GeorgeParksAward.<br />
Submit your nomination by September 9.<br />
NORTH CAROLINA MUSIC EDUCATOR | 23
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