Presidential Farewell
Dear Alabama cNAfME Members,
My time as the Alabama cNAfME President has come to a close in a much different fashion than I imagined it. I am sad that I did not get to say a formal goodbye at the conference, so I would like to take a moment to do so. Serving as the ALcNAfME President was one of the greatest honors of my lifetime. I learned more than I ever imagined I would, did more than I thought I could and even traveled further than I thought I might. My time on the state board will define my career as a music educator. I have learned the importance of advocacy, the inner workings of our wonderful state organization, what it means to be a true leader, and so much more. I cannot even begin to express my gratitude for this experience. Thank you to the rest of the AMEA Governing Board for teaching me and letting me be a voice in our organization. Thank you to cNAfME for allowing me to learn how to lead. Thank you to Dr. Merciers for guiding me and for building me up. Thank you to my fellow executive board members for helping me make my crazy dreams come true. I am proud to say I served on the ALcNAfME board and cannot wait to see what the future holds for me. Once again, thank all of you so very much!
-Sarah Hicks
Virtual Winter Summit
Even though AMEA was canceled this year, we have another opportunity to meet. The Alabama cNAfME State Executive Board will host a virtual summit on Zoom on February 17, 2024, at 2 p.m. Distinguished and experienced educators Will Panter and Dr. Mary Land will present “The Mentorship Continuum: Continuing Growth in Students & Self,” and Dr. Sarah Burns and Blair Callaway will share their expertise in “Professional Collaboration between Cooperating Teachers and Student Interns.” This will be an excellent opportunity for extra time with a few of our clinicians selected from the AMEA Conference.
We will also be having our General Business Meeting and holding elections for the Alabama cNAfME State Executive Board. It is time to choose a new President-Elect, Secretary, and Treasurer. This is a great way to serve and experience a leadership role at the state level. If you are interested in running, please attend the Summit. Stay tuned for the Zoom invite on Instagram @cnafme_al.
University of Alabama Service Project
In spring 2023, the University of Alabama cNAfME Executive Board became aware of a need at University Place Elementary School. In most Tuscaloosa City Schools, music teachers use Quaver Ed, a technology-based curriculum, to guide instruction. University Place Elementary School’s music teacher teaches Quaver’s ukulele unit instead of recorder. Due to underfunding, only about half of the class can hold an instrument during instructional time. The other students use cardboard with hot-glued toothpicks affixed to them instead of actual instruments.
When the UA cNAfME chapter learned of this inequity, they made it their annual goal to raise the funds to buy University Place a complete classroom set of instruments. The chapter planned and hosted a formal dance for the School of Music to accomplish this goal. Executive Board members secured several community sponsors who provided food, decorations, and lighting for the event. Students in every area of the music building, including choir, orchestra, marching band, music therapy, music education, and music performance, bought tickets to attend the event and support the cause. On September 29, 2023, over 100 students filled the band hall to celebrate and support University Place Elementary School.
The UA chapter raised over $2,000 to support Tuscaloosa-area elementary school music programs. Due to the event’s success, they not only purchased ukuleles for University Place Elementary School but also plan to support Walker Elementary, which desperately needs classroom instruments, too. The ALcNAfME State Executive Board is proud of the University of Alabama chapter and the contributions made to their community. They are a great example of collegiate chapters’ work all over the state.
