teachers working with hearing impaired students. How- ever, it is through her personal journey as a teacher, which began with trepidation yet ended in success, that we come to understand the transformative power of learning for both student and teacher.
Being a music teacher can be a very lonely job, especially if you teach in a rural area, a small school or struggling dis- trict. Teachers in these settings often encounter numerous obstacles that can lead to feeling overwhelmed and iso- lated. In It Takes a Village, band director Christine Dodge reminds us of the value of community and its importance in sustaining, and even growing, a successful music program. She describes collaborations with local colleagues, musi- cians, and community members that have helped her to build a thriving band program at a Class D school.
Assessment expert Nancy Flanagan challenges readers to reexamine ideas about using standardized tests to measure teaching and learning in her article, Assess That! Standard- ized Testing in the Arts. Prompted by changes to teacher evaluation based on value-added measures of student learn- ing, Flanagan cautions us to “Be careful what you wish for!” In our desire to be considered part of the “core” it’s easy to forget what makes the arts unique. Flanagan urges us to recognize that standardization and assessment serve different goals and may actually work at cross-purposes. She argues for a broad array of assessments that are mean- ingful to students and teachers and that promote learning, not conforming.
In his article, Jazz Eighth Notes for Beginning Ensembles, Andrew Rathbun takes us back to basics focusing on rhythm as a fundamental musical dimension. Rathbun discusses what he describes as the “paradox of swing” situ- ated in its historical context, then follows up with a detailed analysis of the swing eighth note. He provides suggestions, including links to audio examples and recommended listen- ing, for helping your ensemble swing the eighth notes and get in the groove.
Technology expert Denise Lewis reviews a variety of apps designed to enhance teaching and learning in Five Ways to Tech Up Your Classroom. Lewis identifies apps that support teaching in five distinct areas: digital lesson planners, as- sessment, whiteboards, digital classrooms, and apps for re- mediation and accommodation. For each app reviewed she describes key features and offers suggestions for classroom use. I’m sure you’ll find her personal experiences and tips extremely valuable. I’ve already found three apps I plan to check out!
The NAfME Collegiate column boasts a new leadership team. Angela Schmitt of Grand Valley State University and Elliot Polot of the University of Michigan are the new
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state representatives for the Michigan Collegiate NAfME with Dr. Colleen Conway serving as the state organization’s new advisor. Schmitt and Polot share plans for the coming year including a new social initiative to connect with other music education students throughout the state. Phillip Hash, chair of the Research Symposium, presents abstracts of presentations and posters featured during the 5th Annual Research Symposium held at this year’s MMC. In reading through the abstracts I was struck by the wide range of topics and diverse approaches to research, as well as the number of participants. Furthermore, the breadth and depth of this research suggests Michigan’s music teachers are not only curious, but are also capable of conducting high quality investigations. It is impressive that this body of research represents the work of novice and experienced researchers as well as practicing teachers.
I repeat what I stated in the opening paragraph, we have what really matters – a workforce of dedicated and hard- working teachers. The ideas presented in this issue are evidence of that! I wish you happy reading and an exciting, enjoyable fall.
Abby Butler Editor, Michigan Music Educator
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Retrieved from Education News, (
http://www.education-
news.org/career-index/music-schools-in-michigan/).
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