Never look back on your past and think, “It has passed me by!” Every moment on this earth we are given multiple choices and opportunities to better ourselves. Often these opportunities seem too many, and sometimes it feels as though the world is passing by us. Sometimes we do not notice them and other times we simply just don’t have the time to devote to them. These opportunities can vanish not to return for some time. No matter the level we teach, nor the number of years we may or may not have taught…we need to make connections and create relationships with our fellow teachers…especially those in the field of music education. Why? Because we share a common ground and can help each other embrace our opportunities and move forward together! Remember that we must not forget when we go to teach on our own that we are always part of an ensemble (a team) working for the good of the musical arts education for our students! We must learn to tell ourselves that we should never believe that being a complacent musician or teacher is good enough! We must help one another!
So…How can KMEA Mentoring help you? Check out these suggestions we have for you! They can be found at the KMEA In Service Workshop in Wichita, KS from February 23 to February 25, 2017! There are several clinics we would love to see you at this year at the KMEA ISW:
Connecting With Your Ensembles and Colleagues Through TWITTER
9:00 – 9:50 AM – Fri. Feb. 24 – This Session is About: Connect and Chat through social media! This session will get you connected with your ensembles and colleagues through the use of TWITTER. This session will describe step-by-step how to create TWITTER groups and TWITTER chat sessions. Tips for using TWITTER will be a large part of this session.
Getting Organized Your First Year Of Teaching
2:45 – 3:35 PM – Fri. Feb. 24 – This Session is About: This session will deal with the new teacher or those students who will soon be a new teacher. The first year can be very overwhelming. This session will focus on organizational strategies for that first year and will help the new teacher to feel confident in planning for success! A panel of veteran and expert teachers will be featured during this excellent and eye opening session!
Tips from the Trenches – Mentoring Roundtable Session – Survive the First Few Years of Teaching!
9:00 – 9:50 AM – Sat. Feb. 25 – This Session is About: This question and answer session will allow new teachers to get advice, guidance, and help from a panel of experienced teachers who have tackled the problems that face many new teachers. This session is back by popular demand and is a convention highlight full of valuable and helpful information.
KMEA New Teacher Luncheon
11:30 AM – 1:00 PM – Sat. Feb. 25 – This Session is About: This is a FREE luncheon for all first year music teachers and those who are new to teaching in the state of Kansas. There will be several VIP speakers at this session, but the best part…you will get to connect with new teachers in the state of Kansas!
Are you preparing yourself for the KMEA ISW? Here is a quick list to get you going!
- If you have not…Pre-Register for the KMEA ISW at ksmea.org
- Register for the New Teacher Luncheon-FREE for new teachers! DON’T MISS IT!
- If needed…Acquire your time off, and put in for a substitute teacher
- If needed…Make hotel arrangements
IN LATE JANUARY/EARLY FEBRUARY…
- Begin reading the KMEA ISW events.
- You will want to attend as many learning sessions as possible.
- You will want to attend as many performances as possible.
- Plan to attend the vendor displays and meet them.
- Try to attend any reading sessions presented.
- Use the ISW planner to consolidate your events and plan your KMEA ISW
- Once again at KMEA ISW- GREEN ribbons will be given to new teachers and GOLD RIBBONS for district mentor chairs to easily identify at the conference!
The following is a list of District Mentor Chairs (please look on their respective district websites for contact information):
- Northwest (NW) District Mentor Chair: Bill Schick
- Northcentral (NC) District Mentor Chair: Nancy Monical
- Northeast (NE) District Mentor Chair: Kim Harrison
- Southwest (SW) District Mentor Chair: Jodi Reese
- Southcentral (SC) District Mentor Chair: Deborah Harris
- Southeast (SE) District Mentor Chair: Mary Jo Harper
Holly Taylor and Kelly Knedler can be contacted at mentoring@ksmea.org We look forward to seeing you soon at the KMEA ISW February 23-25, 2017.
