Advocacy
Dennis Argul
dennisargul@gmail.com
Music educators at all grade levels are keenly aware of
how important it is for them to be visible and vocal advocates for their program – but most feel overwhelmed with just do- ing the best job they can every day for their students. Taking on the role of advocate often feels like the “one more thing” that they just cannot do. But being an effective advocate may be easier than most teachers think. If you read through this list carefully, you will find that many of these things are an integral part of what you already do. If we can even do one of these things, we have made a critical contribution to their profession and to the significant role music plays in the education of our stu- dents:
Be Visible
• Display student work at your school, • in the office area where it can be seen by administrators and everyone who visits • in the hallways • Make sure your displays are accompanied by some basic information. This is your chance to inform as well as display.
• Display student work in the community. • Perform • Make sure that your feeder schools are included in your publicity efforts.
• Seek out alternate venues for student performances. • High school groups performing at their feeder elementary schools make a compelling case for elementary students to consider music and drama electives.
• Join at least one decision-making committee at your school.
• The saying, “Out of sight, out of mind” is true. In the very hectic, fast-paced world of schools, decisions made about site-based issues that affect your classes and the arts will
TEMPO 18
not take your perspective into consideration if you’re not there to voice it.
• Attend and participate in your school staff meetings. Share What You Are Doing
• Make sure parents at your school know what is happening in your classes.
• At the elementary level, ask for a regular space in the school newsletter to highlight what is going on in music classes. Try to get on the agenda for a parent organization meeting to talk about your program & answer questions.
• At the middle school & high school level, you might be able to establish an email list of parents to inform them about your classes and about ways that they might be able to assist. If you have a Booster organization, make sure they are the ones who have that information.
• Make sure your principal and assistant. principal are aware of your events.
• Make sure you include your Board of Education members as well as your State Senator and Representative in your publicity efforts as well. Even if they never come, receiving the invitation lets them know you are out there.
Be knowledgeable about the benefits of Mu- sic on the lives of your students!
• Go to the websites for national arts organizations and look for their “Advocacy” sections. All have a wealth of information about their content areas as well as the arts in general.
• Attend workshops, conference and clinics to get more information on advocacy strategies and ideas to bring to your program.
• Share with your colleagues! MARCH 2021
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68
