It is with great expectation and excitement that I write my first article as President of the Higher Ed. Division of the Alabama Music Educators Association. I am also proud to introduce our President-elect Dr. Ted Hoffman and our Secretary/Treasurer Dr. Brandon Slocumb. I would like to acknowledge and thank our immediate Past-President Dr. Carly Johnson.
A new academic year is upon us. There is excitement in the air, not only from the students but from us as well. This year is to be my forty-first year in the classroom and I am excited for several reasons that I would like you to consider.
First, I get a whole new group of students that I will have the opportunity to get to know and also learn from. Every new class brings students who are unique from any I’ve ever taught before. They bring unique life experiences and insights that shape the way they learn about and interpret music. Every new year keeps me on my toes and that is exciting.
Second, I get to see when the “light bulb” moment happens, when a new group of students suddenly understand the new concept we are covering (I teach music theory 3&4). How exciting is it when you suddenly understand that elusive concept? Being a catalyst in helping them understand is powerful.
Third, each year I am privileged to see the progress of all the students who are returning to the program and in their second, third, or fourth year of study. I get to evaluate their progress and then develop a plan to get them or keep them on track to where they need to be now and where they need to be at the end of the semester. This is exciting and also challenging since there are no two students who are exactly the same or at exactly the same place.
Fourth, I am excited for the seniors. This group is at the culmination of their studies, performing their Senior Recitals, student teaching, and preparing to walk the line for graduation. The excitement is contagious. Talking with the students about their plans and dreams brings back memories of those plans and dreams I possessed for myself. I am excited to watch them after they graduate and see where they end up and how well they have prepared for their career.
Fifth, I get to watch those who have gone before. It is humbling to have former students text, email, or call me to discuss something that is going on with them and ask for my advice as to how they should handle it or just to discuss with them their programs and how they are going. I really love to watch their concerts and witness their accomplishments.
The point I hope I have made is that what we do is not just a job. We are training and preparing the next generation of music educators. For them to be successful, we as teachers need to be vigilant, resourceful, knowledgeable, aware, up-to-date, and caring as we lead them down this path of success. We also need to be collaborative with our peers to improve our teaching and share what is successful for us. We each have something to learn but we also each have something that others can learn from us.
If you haven’t been in the past, let me encourage you to be active, vocal, and collaborative members of AMEA and be a part of the encouragement and improvement we strive for in the Higher Education Division of our state AMEA association.