wisconsin music educators association president It’s Not Just How We Teach...
It’s How We Represent Learning Leyla Sanyer, WMEA President
As I look back over my last two years as WMEA presi- dent, I am struck with how much we are all doing in our state to ensure the availability of music education for every child. Music educa-
tors in every community, large and small, from every part of Wisconsin, work every day to share the joys and value of what is happening in the classroom.
So how do we continue to do what must be done to sustain this tradition of excel- lence? How do we make sure that we are speaking up for our students and our pro- fession every day that we are in school, in our studios and in our communities?
Sometimes the answers to these questions are so embedded in our art and our work that we don’t even realize how simple it can be to accomplish so much.
Every time we share the secrets of music with our students we encourage the next generation of adults to bring this knowl- edge into their own futures. Together with their friends and families they will spread the idea that music learning is central to a complete education.
Our willingness to take our work seri- ously by studying educational philosophy and completing research solidifies the place of music in the academic center of education.
Because we have been trained as perform- ers, collaborators and creators, we bring rich offerings into the tapestries of the learning environments in which we live and work.
Let’s not forget how far we have come. We must look forward more often than we look back. We must take comfort in looking for new ideas and new ways to communicate the power of Wisconsin music curriculum.
And so I reiterate my concern about how we define our work using vocabulary that marginalizes our profession. We too often put public focus on ourselves rather than on the students and their needs in this difficult time.
Imagine how much we will help to sustain music classrooms by resisting the urge to refer to them as “my program.” We must continue to grow by using words that show collaboration and group ownership. We must use the same language that is used in other academic areas. Music is already a
rich enough subject that we can offer much to the other disciplines, but not if we only put ourselves in “conductor” positions and retain the idea that we as teachers are more important than curriculum, classroom and the learner. What would happen if we al- lowed others to share ownership of music education? I think we can all agree the results would be even more spectacular.
Let’s share our ideas, the students’ ideas, research and educational progress as well as we share concert performances. In fact, let’s share these concepts within the concert setting. Imagine the power for learning in the community!
I value the leadership experience that you have allowed me to share as president of WMEA and I look forward to many more years for us to continue our work on behalf of Wisconsin music educators and their students. Let’s stay in the middle of the discussion by keeping curriculum, philosophy and research at the forefront! Onward!
Leyla Sanyer teaches grades 9-12 orchestra and music composition classes at Oregon High School. Email:
les@oregonsd.net
Get Connected to Music Advocacy Resources! Visit the Wisconsin Advocates for Music Education (WAME) web site – your hub for resources dedicated
to teachers, parents, administrators and community members. Here is just a sampling of what you’ll find:
• Featured Videos Supporting Music Education • Links to Key Sources All in One Place • Tools for Sending the Right Message and Speaking the Right Language • Legislative Interaction Guide
• Notable Quotes • Tips for Working With the Media • Research Supporting Music Education Plug in at
wame.wmea.com. Stay even more connected by “Liking” WAME on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/WAMEWI.
6 April 2014
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