Be Heard...But... Steve Litwiller, Mentoring Chair


Congratulations and welcome to the profession! You are now the face of music in your school, and maybe, depending on the size of the town, the entire community. By offering you the contract, your school recognized you as an expert in the field of music education. With that in mind, you need to be able to assume the role as a representative of this profession immediately. It is time not just to “talk the talk,” but also to “walk the walk.” People not only listen with their ears, they listen with their eyes, and your first impression on your students, their parents, and your coworkers is critical to your early success. If you expect to be taken seriously as a professional, your appearance, conduct, and language matter. So consider this quote:


“Clothes do make the man.


Naked people have little or no influence on society.” Mark Twain


Appearance goes a long way towards helping people view you as a professional, especially when


it comes to establishing authority with your students. You have spent thousands of dollars on an education for this career, so don’t dress like you are working at a tattoo parlor or selling snow cones at the local tractor pull. A business- like appearance means that you are


there with a job to do. Looking like a professional is the first step to acting like one.


We are musicians, so sound is our business. But being heard is not enough. Unfortunately, in these


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times of mandatory testing and shrinking school budgets, advocacy is a major part of your job as well. Advocacy is another word for “selling.” You have to sell your vision of the program, and the value of music education to everyone you come in contact with in the school and the community to be a successful advocate.


Successful sales people will tell you that it takes up to seven positive encounters with a potential customer before you can gain his or her confidence and close the deal. This does not mean e-mail, phone calls, or Facebook. It means face- to-face positive contact. You simply must have this type of contact with administrators before you can build a working relationship. It is not just about successful musical performances anymore it is about building trust.


It sounds complicated and time consuming, but it really isn’t. Something as simple as checking in with administrators and secretaries in the office a few times a week with a positive attitude goes a long way. Do some research. Ask about their kids, hobbies, golf, tennis, or do they watch “Duck Dynasty?” Show interest in the people you work with, and in most cases they will take an interest in you. That way when you ask them for new choir risers, tuba, or altering the schedule slightly for more rehearsal time, you have built up a good rapport and a basis for trust. You are more likely to get a positive response from someone you have built a relationship with than someone


you see once a month at a faculty meeting.


The same principle applies to your students. Positive encounters, your personal interest


in their


backgrounds and achievements build a foundation for strong relationships. These relationships will help them get on board with your classroom and rehearsal goals. Effective sales people know their clientele and their backgrounds. To be an effective advocate you must do the same. Whether it’s medicine, merchandise, or music, it has to be sold (or advocated) to be accepted and to succeed.


Speaking of relationships, if you have not done so already, check in with your MMEA district presidents, and the vice-president in your area, whether it be band, choir, orchestra, or elementary. There are deadlines for entries and procedures


for


activities within your district that will need to be addressed. Also, if you are a high school or middle school teacher, don’t forget to check with your athletic director and do the on-line rules meeting for MSHSAA.


Finally, check in with the Missouri Music Educators Association website at http://www.mmea. netfor updates on mentoring, links to your MMEA District, and advocacy information from NAfME. You’ve got a job. GREAT! Now let’s get to it.


Contact me at stevelitwiller@ sbcglobal.net or (660)888-0694 if I can be of any help.


MISSOURI SCHOOL MUSIC


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