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Author: Phil Wilson

ELEM/GEN: “For Good”

May 8 2019

In the final act of the Broadway musical hit Wicked, Elphaba and Glinda bid farewell to each other by singing the song “For Good”. One phrase expresses my feelings for this moment.

I’ve heard it said…That people come into our lives for a reason…Bringing something we must learn…And we are led…To those who help us most to grow…If we let them…And we help them in return…Well, I don’t know if I believe that’s true…But I know I’m who I am today…Because I knew you. –Glinda

Over the past two years, you trusted me to lead the Elementary Division and while I hope I earned and sustained your trust, something unique happened: YOU changed me. Whether through our talks, our countless hours of singing and dancing alongside each other, or our sharing of great ideas, I believe we became better together. My personal growth is more apparent in how I teach my classes, seek out meaningful professional development and even how I interact with my colleagues and it’s all because of you. Thank you for allowing me this opportunity to learn and grow with you. I truly have been changed For Good!

As the school year draws to a close, know that what you have done for your students, school and community has not gone unnoticed. Your dedication to the music discipline is apparent in everything you do, and you are thought of highly for it. How many times this year have you received emails from parents thanking you for what you do? How many kid notes and drawings have you found hidden in the strangest places in your room after a long and hard day? How many former students still run to hug you in public or send you social media messages of thanks? I’m sure these instances are innumerable, all because you came in to lives and changed them. How many students can you say changed you? Over the summer as you recharge your batteries, ponder these questions, remember these students, cherish each moment and prepare for the next school year as a new group of students will come into your life and change you For Good.

Speaking of For Good, I hope that you will continue your support of the 2019-2021 Elementary Board of Directors.

  • President: Betty Wilson
  • President-Elect: Sarah McLendon
  • Treasurer: Lori Zachary
  • Secretary: Rob Lyda
  • Hospitality: Kristi Howze
  • Past-President: Phil Wilson
  • Festival Director: Melissa McIntyre

Please continue support our Elementary Music Festival on Friday, October 18, 2019 at the Eastmont Baptist Church in Montgomery. Melissa McIntyre, our new festival director, has already been hard at work securing clinicians, preregistering schools and a host of other things. We are very fortunate to have as clinicians Dr. Madeline Bridges from Belmount University, and our own Dr. Becky Halliday from the University of Montevallo. Please see our Facebook page for the clinician’s biographies and to sign-up. For more information, contact Melissa McIntyre Ameafestival@gmail.com. Also, please make plans to attend our joint workshop on Saturday, October 19, 2019 where Dr. Bridges and Dr. Halliday will continue to instruct us.

Remember that our 2020 AMEA Professional Development Conference is moving to back to Montgomery and will occur on January 16-18, 2020. Please consider applying for your choral group to perform at the 2020 conference. The deadline is June 1st. Also, we want to know about the great things you are doing in your classroom. Consider applying to present a session. Click here for both applications https://www.myamea.org/2020-amea-professional-development-conference/.

Thank you for all you do to make sure the students in Alabama are receiving the best music education possible. For questions or updates, please contact us at elementaryamea@gmail.com.

See you in October,

Phil R. Wilson, President

Elementary/General Division Elementary Calendar of Events

2019 Young Voices Festival
April 26-27, 2019
University of Alabama
Contact: meredithcdevore@gmail.com

World Music Drumming Level I
Crestline Elementary, Hartselle
June 3-7, 2019
Contact: gregory.pearcy@hartselletigers.org

Orff Level II and III
Samford University
June 17-28, 2019
Contact: lhardin@samford.edu

Kodály Levels I, II & III
University of Montevallo
July 8-19, 2019
Saint Luke’s Episcopal Church in Mountain Brook Contact: ahalliday@montevallo.edu

East Alabama Music Workshop
Grace United Methodist Church, Auburn August 24, 2019
Contact: lydarob@me.com

ELEM/GEN: Learning Together Makes Us Better

Feb 24 2019

Fred Rogers, creator and host of Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood once said,” Imagining something may be the first step in making it happen, but it takes the real time and real efforts of real people to learn things, make things, turn thoughts into deeds or visions into inventions.” This, my friends, is exactly what WE did! During the 2019 AMEA Professional Development Conference we learned new things, made music, thought deeply about things and hopefully, when you returned to your schools, turned those thoughts into new exciting experiences for your students. We were inspired to use music as a vehicle to make our neighborhoods a better place and learned how to play rhythms on yoga balls. We celebrated Alabama’s birthday, strummed guitars, learned how to record our students and even how to put on a show. Beth Ann Hepburn challenged us with new and innovative activities while also touching on some traditional ones as well. We composed, weaved our way through music classes through creative planning, and transitioning and explored ways to engage hard to reach students. All of this, and much much more, happened in just three days. WHEW!

Thorpe (2014) stated,” Within the United States and across nations, there seems to be consensus that teacher quality is the most important school-based variable in determining how well a child learns” (Thorpe, 2014, p. 1). Barrett (2010) says the key to improving teacher quality, and improving student learning, is for teachers to engage in professional development. In study after study, researchers agree that participating in professional development activities improves teacher quality which in turn elevates student’s learning. Continue to renew and refresh yourself by participating in quality professional learning opportunities throughout the year. Our students deserve it!

During our business meeting, we elected the 2019-2021 Elementary/General Division Executive Board:

  • President: Betty Wilson
  • President-Elect: Sarah McLendon
  • Treasurer: Lori Zachary
  • Secretary: Rob Lyda
  • Hospitality: Kristi Howze
  • Past-President: Phil Wilson
  • Festival Director: Melissa McIntyre

As you continue to create and develop new exciting lessons in your classrooms, consider sharing those ideas at our 2020 AMEA Professional Development Conference which will take place in Montgomery. Speaking of Montgomery, we will also be moving our Elementary Music Festival to Eastmont Baptist Church in Montgomery. Our new festival director Melissa McIntyre, and the festival committee, has already been hard at work planning the festival and Fall workshop More details to come.

Thank you for all that you do to make our musical neighborhoods better places. As always, if you have questions or concerns, please contact us through the division email at elementaryAMEA@gmail.com. Remember to follow and post pictures and videos of things you are doing in your classrooms on our AMEA Elementary Facebook group page.

Thorpe, R. (2014). Sustaining the teaching profession. New England Journal of Public Policy, 26(1), 5.

Upcoming Events

ALABAMA CHAPTER OF AOSA SPRING WORKSHOP March 2, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Lorelei Batislaong
Vestavia Hills United Methodist Church

Sweet Home Alabama Kodály Educators (SHAKE) Free Spring Workshop
Dr. Michele Paise
April 6, 2019, Vestavia Hills Elementary East, 9-3

2019 Young Voices Festival
April 26-27, 2019
University of Alabama
Contact: meredithcdevore@gmail.com

World Music Drumming Level I
Crestline Elementary, Hartselle
June 3-7, 2019
Contact: gregory.pearcy@hartselletigers.org

Orff Level II and III
Samford University
June 17-28, 2019
Contact: lhardin@samford.edu

Kodály Levels I, II & III
University of Montevallo
July 8-19, 2019
Saint Luke’s Episcopal Church in Mountain Brook Contact: ahalliday@montevallo.edu

East Alabama Music Workshop
Grace United Methodist Church, Auburn August 24, 2019
Contact: lydarob@me.com

Elementary Music Festival
Eastmont Baptist Church, Montgomery
October 18, 2019
Clinician: Dr. Madeline Bridges, Belmont University Clinician: Dr. Becky Halliday, University of Montevallo Contact: mcintyrem@vestavia.k12.al.us

From the ELEM/GEN President: It Takes a Community

Oct 14 2018

In the book, What Teachers Should Know and Be Able to Do, published by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, the five core propositions which govern the process of certification are explored and explained. The core propositions are:

1. Teachers are committed to students and their learning.
2. Teachers know the subjects they teach and how to teach those subjects to students. 3. Teachers are responsible for managing and monitoring student learning.
4. Teachers think systematically about their practice and learn from experience.
5. Teachers are members of learning communities.

These propositions serve as the anchor of what National Boards consider accomplished teaching. Though many of you may not be board certified, you still may exhibit many, if not all, of these propositions. I could use my space here examining how you measure up against each of these propositions, but instead I’ll focus on proposition five, teachers are members of learning communities.

In a study about professional development, Darling-Hammond and McLaughlin (1995), found that teachers need opportunities to “share what they know, discuss what they want to learn, and connect new concepts and strategies to their own unique contexts” (p. 1). These are perfect descriptors of what professional learning communities should be. This year, your elementary board wants to ensure your voice, your experiences and your musical wants are represented in every workshop and session we plan. It is our goal that your professional learning through AMEA continues to be positive and meaningful.

Our professional learning communities begin in just a few days at the 13th Annual Elementary Music Festival at Samford University’s Wright Center on Friday, October 12th. Approximately 400 elementary students representing over 40 schools across the state have registered. The clinicians for this event will be Dr. Damian Womack and Dr. Sara Womack. This music festival is a great opportunity for our students to learn and grow. Although registration for this year’s festival has passed, please consider including your students for next year’s festival. The following day, Saturday, October 13th from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. we will have our joint Fall Workshop sponsored by the AMEA Elementary/General Division, AOSA and SHAKE. This year our clinician will be Orff specialist Sara Womack. The workshop will be held at Vestavia Hills Elementary Central 1289 Montgomery Highway, Vestavia Hills, AL 35216.

The 2019 AMEA Professional Development Conference will convene at the BJCC in Birmingham. Many rich professional learning opportunities await you. This year we are honored to have Beth Ann Hepburn as our featured clinician. She will be presenting four sessions for us ranging from developing part-singing to using body percussion with songs and rhymes. We will also have several member guided sessions including bucket drumming with Viktoria Truesdail and learning new ways to put on a show by Kristi Howze. Kodaly specialist Jeremy Howard will clinic on musical make-believe while Rob Lyda will help us celebrate Alabama’s Bicentennial. Jennifer Canfield will show us how to create music for the elementary classroom, Art Williams will present on the Fred Rogers approach to teaching elementary music, and Stephanie Porter will demonstrate reading in music and recording on a budget. Our friends

from Quaver and Chord Buddy will be there and other clinics and vendors you will not want to miss. Please be sure to reserve Friday night for an evening of fellowship and music sharing fun. We look forward to seeing you in Birmingham on January 17th -19th. Be sure to check the AMEA website (www.myamea.org) for details about preregistration and hotel information.

We hope to see you all at the Fall Music Workshop on October 13th, and at the 2019 AMEA Professional Development Conference in Birmingham in January. Please contact us at (elementaryamea@gmail.com) for questions or concerns.

Phil R. Wilson, President,
AMEA Elementary/General Division

Darling-Hammond, L., & McLaughlin, M. W. (1995). Policies that support professional development in an era of reform. Phi delta kappan, 76(8), 597-604.

Upcoming Dates:
13th Annual Elementary Music Festival, Friday, October 12th, Samford University’s Wright Center

Joint Fall Workshop sponsored by Elementary/General Division of AMEA, AOSA, and SHAKE, Saturday, October 13, 9 a.m. to 1 a.m.

NAfME In-Service Conference, Nov 10-14, 2018, Dallas, Texas
2019 AMEA Professional Development Conference, BJCC, Birmingham, AL, January 17-19.

American Orff-Schulwerk Association, National Professional Development Conference, November 7-10, 2018, Cincinnati, Ohio

SHAKE Spring Workshop, April 6, 2019, with Dr. Michele Paynter Paise.

From the ELEM/GEN President: Passion!

Aug 1 2018

A few years ago, a teacher friend gifted me with a rustic sign for my home. At the top of the sign in all capital letters was painted the word PASSION. The rest of the sign reads, “There are some people who live in a dream world, and there are some who face reality; and then there are those who turn one into the other.” The friend wrote in an accompanying card that these words exemplify who she saw me to be. I was very moved by her gesture and the words on the card and sign. This sign hangs in a prominent place in my home to remind me of what I should consistently seek after when working with children; taking their dream worlds and introducing them to reality.

I was recently a member of a commission that examines professional learning in our state with the purpose of improving what is offered to educators. As is customary, we went around the room introducing ourselves. The facilitator asked us to name something fun we’ve done for the summer. Member after member stated professional learning opportunities they engaged in during the summer to improve their practice, while only a handful spoke of actual vacations. The sense that I got from the room could be described with one word; PASSION.

As we are in the preparation phases of returning to school, our PASSION goes out ahead of us and starts the engine that will soon become a charging choo choo on track to making dreams realities. Not because of the money, recognition or pride do we do anything that we do. (Well….maybe a little money). Instead, it’s the smiles on the faces of students who are exercising their PASSION through music making. It’s the feeling that we are sharing our dreams with students who will share with others and the circle continues. It’s the knowing that when melodies leave our lips or our instruments, they become tangible reality dipped dreams. PASSION!

During the summer months, your elementary division board has been hard at work planning professional development opportunities for you over the course of this next school year to assist you in educating the children of Alabama. It has been my honor to serve you as President of the Elementary Division along with Betty Wilson, President-Elect, Dr. Rob Lyda, Secretary, Lori Zachary, Treasurer and Cliff Huckabee, Past-President and Choral Festival Director.
This year, several professional development opportunities are available for you to attend beginning August 25. The East Alabama Music Workshop will be held in Auburn, AL at Grace United Methodist Church from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (8:30 – 9:00 registration and refreshments). The guest presenter will be David Row. We will explore fresh new ways to use folksongs. There is no cost for the workshop. Four hours of professional development will be offered. Contact Dr. Rob Lyda for more details at lydarob@me.com.

The 13th Annual Elementary Music Festival will take place at Samford University’s Wright Center on Friday, October 12th. Students will learn from two outstanding Alabama music educators as we celebrate the Alabama Bicentennial. Dr. Damian Womack, choral, and Rhonda Tucker, Orff, will be the clinicians. This music festival is a great opportunity for our students. Thank you for your continued support of this festival.

Saturday, October 13th from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. we will have our joint Fall Workshop sponsored by AMEA Elementary/General Division and AOSA. This year our clinician will be Orff specialist Rhonda Tucker. Stay tuned to the myamea.org webpage for further details as they become available.

The 2019 AMEA Professional Development Conference will be at the BJCC in Birmingham. This year we are honored to have Beth Ann Hepburn as our featured clinician. She will be presenting four sessions for all grade levels spanning multiple subjects. We will also have member guided sessions ranging from bucket drumming to dancing to folk songs. Be sure to renew your NAfME membership, so that you can take advantage of these rich learning opportunities.
We want to stay in touch with you and reach out to those who are not members of AMEA. Please email us at elementaryamea@gmail.com to update your information and please share this address with those who you know are not members. Also, join us on Facebook AMEA Elementary page.

Congrats to those who attended and earned Kodaly and Orff certification. Also, congrats to those who submitted your National Board Components. BRAVO!!
PASSION! A word that you exemplify each day of each month of each year. You share it, your students see it and feel safe to share their own passions with the world. I challenge you this year to be fearless in your choices, knowing that they are good for your students. I challenge you to step outside of your comfort zone and explore new avenues of music learning. I challenge you to renew your PASSION!

 

See you in October,
Phil R. Wilson, President
Elementary/General Division

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