THE NEW JERSEY MUSIC EDUCATORS ASSOCIATION a federated state association of NATIONAL ASSOCIATION for MUSIC EDUCATION News From Our Division Chairs
Administration & Advocacy Dennis Argul
Elizabeth Public Schools
argulde@epsnj.org
Administration “A leader takes people where they want to go. A great leader takes people where they don’t necessarily want to go, but ought to be.” Ro-
salynn Carter, former First Lady The New Jersey Music Administrators Association is a valuable resource for those who are interested in becoming great leaders for their
music faculty. Working together to share ideas, resources and best practices, the NJMAA works diligently to collaborate across district levels to bring a quality music education for every student in the state. On October 6, 2017 the membership met at the Rutgers Club to discuss “Yearlong Student Teaching and Its Impact on K-12 Schools”
which was presented by Joe Akinskas and Rick Dammers of Rowan University. The presentation included information regarding the added requirements for Music Education students. These requirements include more hours in the schools before their Junior Field Experience, Year- long Student Teaching, preferably in the same district, and the additional edTPA experience. Collegiate representatives from Kean University, The College of New Jersey, Westminster Choir College, William Paterson University and Montclair State University were all present to pro- vide input with how their campuses and programs are implementing the new requirements. A lively and vigorous question and answer period concluded the presentation with many participants supplying their own perspectives on the most efficient way to proceed as an organization in assisting our current music education students and future music educators plan for success. There is certainly much more to come on this topic.
On December 1, 2017, the membership met once again at the Rutgers Club and were treated to an informative presentation entitled
“Rolling Out the New Arts Standards” which was presented by Jeff Santoro, President of NJMEA. Santoro discussed the three-year long process to review and update the New Jersey Student Learning Standards for the Visual and Performing Arts. The new standards, which are very much aligned with the National Core Arts Standards, are now awaiting final approval. Upcoming Meeting Dates and Topics Include: February 2,, 2018 - Quantifying Creativity: Assessment and Data in the Arts – presented by Robert Hamm April 13, 2018 - Collaboration Within The Arts: Teamwork Makes the Dream Work – presented by Matt Lorenzetti and Dennis Argul June 1, 2018 - Your Music Tech Toolbox: Making Wise Choices for Instruction – presented by Joe Akinskas and Marge Lo Presti The NJMAA meetings begin at 9:00 am. Hospitality begins at 8:30 am unless otherwise noted. Meetings are held at Rutgers Club Liv- ingston Dining Commons located at 85 Avenue E, Piscataway, NJ. The club is on the second floor. We are continually inspired by our colleagues around the state as we share our thoughts, ideas and solutions to the challenges of being music educators. If you are a new administrator and are looking for a group with which to collaborate for information, ideas and networking, you are encouraged to join us! For more information, please visit our website at
www.njmaa.org and/or reach out to our Board members with any questions or concerns you may have. We look forward to seeing you all soon!
Advocacy It would seem that our need to continually advocate for our craft and the importance of music education in the lives of our students is a
part of our duties that may be the only constant we have had in the last four decades of public education. As daunting a task it may seem to be, it appears to be an occupational requirement for us. When advocating for what seems so very obvious to us, but not so obvious for others, it is always better to be informed with facts and not just filled with passion.
continued on page 10 TEMPO 8 JANUARY 2018
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