Colleagues – see information below from Chelsea Silvermintz – MMEA President Elect.

MMEA would like your help in recognizing those that go above and beyond to serve music education at our upcoming 2025 In-Service Workshop/Conference in January. Please take a moment to nominate a person or group that makes a positive difference in music education by December 1:
 
Active or retired MMEA member
 
Active MMEA member with at least 15 years of teaching
 
Active MMEA member with 3-7 years of teaching
 
Administrator with at least 4 years experience
 
Supportive individual (not music teacher), business, or corporation
 
ANY music educator with 25 years experience
 
Not sure who has already been recognized for their contributions?  CHECK ALL PAST AWARD RECIPIENTS HERE
 

Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns and thank you in advance for taking the time to honor others for their hard work!!

Sincerely,
Chelsea Silvermintz

I hope everyone has had a relaxing summer, and had the chance to spend time with family and get recharged.

With a new year, we will have new teachers in our Northwest District.  We all know that feeling of excitement and fear as a new teacher.  MMEA wants to help support our new teachers.

If you are new to the profession or know someone new in your area, please contact me at almmlm91@gmail.com.  MMEA has developed a nationally recognized Mentoring Program, and we want to make sure that everyone who wants to participate has the opportunity.  This program includes monthly Zoom Meetings on a variety of topics.  These are great opportunities to ask questions of veteran teachers, to visit with other new teachers and to share the struggles that we all have.  As soon as those meetings are scheduled, I will be sure to let you all know.

The 9th annual Mentoring Conference will take place at Tan Tar A on September 15th and 16th.   This conference is for 1st-3rd year teachers or anyone new to the profession.  It covers a variety of topics including classroom management, budgeting, and developing relationships with parents and administration.  Best of all is free of charge.  MMEA will provide meals and lodging for the conference.  Look for an email from MMEA with registration information and more information concerning specific workshops and clinics.

It can be very intimidating to be new to the profession.  Veteran teachers shared many of the same concerns as new teachers that you are feeling now.  Please reach out to them.  We have ALL been new and want to help you avoid some of the mistakes we made.  Don’t be afraid you are being “judged” and wait until you are “ready” to have someone in your room.  That is like not going to the gym until you are in better shape.  There are many of us retired folks who would be more than willing to come out and watch and listen.  Sometimes it’s nice just to have a sympathetic ear.

If you are new to the District, make sure you register with our website https://nwmmea.net/.  There you will find information on our District events and registration involved with those events.  You will also find contact information for our officers and other teachers in the District.

If you are an experienced teacher, please reach out to those new to your area.  You don’t need any special training; you just need to be a good person who is willing to give support to a fellow educator.

Good luck to all, and have a great year!!!!

Roy Maxwell,

NWMMEA Mentoring Chair