wisconsin music educators association president
Leading to Teach – Teaching to Lead Brad Schneider, WMEA President
As I am nearing the end of my tenure as WMEA president, I find myself reflect- ing not on my lead- ership style, but on the incredible peo- ple that make our association vibrant and student cen- tered. Paul Budde
was a great role model to follow and was always ready to help with advice when asked. Will Janssen, as president-elect, is incredibly organized and energetic. Our association is in great shape and will only continue to excel under his guidance. While regional vice presidents Ginger Marten and Erica Breitbarth are ending their terms, Carrie Backman (SC), Ashley Miller (SW), Bridget Ulrich-Duffy (NE) and Kari Moskal (NW) will continue sharing their talents on behalf of their regions. Thank them next time you see them. And finally, I’m sure you all recognize what a visionary and outcome-based leader Laurie Fellenz is as our executive director. Paraphrasing
the tune from Hamilton, “The woman is non-stop.” It has been my honor to work shoulder to shoulder with these leaders and I look forward to my next two years as your immediate past president.
Teachers as Leaders
Whether we teach in a large ensemble en- vironment or a general music classroom, teachers use leadership skills every day. While researching this topic, I came across Sally Utley’s June 2022 article “Authentic Leadership in the Music Classroom.” I’d like to share and expand on a couple quali- ties of leadership she touches on.
• Be yourself: Lead from who you are. Don’t try to be someone else.
I think it takes a few years to achieve this goal. Making mistakes and learning from those mistakes was part of the process for me. I soon realized that establishing and building positive relationships with my students was crucial. When I think about my own public school music teachers, I realize their
teaching styles could not have been more different, yet they both created environments in which we wanted to be a part.
• Be humble: Lead from who you are, not from some lofty position.
I believe that good teachers care for their students. Great educators are successful at consistently putting students at the center of everything they do in the classroom. This is why I have a little trouble with mon- ikers like “Director of Bands.” This label puts the focus on the teacher and diminishes the multiple roles we assume as educators. Teachers do so much more than direct kids.
• Be diligent: Lead from experi- ence, while seeking new [opportu- nities] for growth.
Experience WSM Online! Your Fully Digitized Version
Did you know, Wisconsin School Musician is now exclusively published in digital format with many great features?
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WSMmagazine.org • Password: music4all 6
As practicing musicians, we bring a wealth of knowledge and skills to the classroom every day. As a music instructor, I am keenly aware of my need to learn new literature every concert unit. I do my best to avoid getting stuck in a cyclical rut by challenging myself to find and learn new material. Like many of you reading this, I also seek out work- shops and professional development that will challenge me as an educa- tor; principal among them was the CMP workshop that I have attended multiple times. If you haven’t at- tended a CMP workshop, what are you waiting for? Check it out at
wmeamusic.org/CMP.
• Be kind and considerate of the needs of your students.
Utley originally used the words “Be gentle”; I would be the first to ad- mit that my podium demeanor isn’t always “gentle.” I am often excited by the music we are learning, and I want my students to share in that excitement. Ensemble teachers have multiple years to establish positive
April 2024
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