CMA Foundation’s Mentor M.E. Program Returns With Six-Part Webinar Series

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The CMA Foundation has announced the return of its Mentor M.E. program, kicking off Tuesday, March 7 at 6 p.m. CT.

The six-part webinar series aims to equip music educators early in their careers with professional development resources, tools and tips. Each hour-long webinar will feature 20 minutes of content from a guest presenter followed by 20 minutes of dialogue with moderator Franklin Willis, CMA Foundation Director, Community Impact, and 20 minutes of questions from participants.

“Time and time again, as we connect with music teachers across our state, we hear about the need for support and tangible tools needed to help music educators, especially those new to the field, carry out their jobs effectively,” says Tiffany Kerns, CMA Foundation Executive Director. “Mentor M.E. was created to combat that. Our hope is that teachers will not only walk out of this program feeling equipped professionally, but also feeling supported personally by both the CMA Foundation and by their peers. I am thrilled for the program to be returning this year, and I am eager to learn from the incredible speakers we have on board throughout the next several months.”

Webinar Series Subjects:

Fostering Creative Musicians by Building Strong Student/Teacher Relationships 
Tuesday, March 7 at 6 p.m. CT 
Presented by Lisa Odom, a curriculum specialist and music educator with 33 years of experience creating professional development resources, this webinar will encourage participants to explore strategies that foster strong student-to-teacher relationships and will encourage students to think creatively, build community and hone their musical skills. To register, click here.

What Future Music Educators Need to Be Successful 
Tuesday, April 11 at 6 p.m. CT
Hosted by Jesse Cannon, Houston Independent School District Director of Vocal and Elementary Music, former music educator and 2022 CMA Music Teacher of Excellence, session two will explore the resources, support and tactics necessary for music educators to be successful in their classrooms. To register, click here.

Building Identity, Belonging, and Agency Through SEL in Music Education
Tuesday, May 9 at 6 p.m. CT
Presented by Dr. Scott Edgar, a leading researcher, best-selling author and clinician on the subject of Social Emotional Learning (SEL), session three is aimed at making SEL relevant for music teachers and learners at all levels. Building on an understanding of SEL, participants will learn strategies to intentionally embed SEL into all areas of practice, from identity development, to fostering a sense of belonging, to prioritizing student empowerment. To register, click here.

What I Wish I Would Have Known: Reflections of a Music Educator
Tuesday, Aug. 8 at 6 p.m. CT
Hosted by Dr. Loneka Battiste, Assistant Professor of Music Education at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, participants in this session will explore a variety of lessons learned through the years of music education. Drawing on 12 years of experience teaching children in school and community settings, Batiste will guide participants through a collaborative conversation around learning to trust oneself as an educator, embracing the power of one’s background and the power of connecting with students. To register, click here.

Keep on Going: Enjoy Teaching No Matter What
Tuesday, Sept. 12 at 6 p.m. CT 
International speaker, saxophonist, author, master development coach for elementary and middle school band directors and self-management-strategist for educators, Mickey Smith Jr. hosts a webinar focused on the power of enjoying teaching. Throughout this session, participants will be encouraged and equipped with the tools to discover their “sound of significance” and “keep on going” with resilience. To register, click here.

How Do I Meet All Their Needs?: Teaching Students with Disabilities in the 21st Century
Tuesday, Oct. 10 at 6 p.m. CT
Classrooms are increasingly diverse, and often have many students with disabilities. While that move toward inclusion is positive, it sometimes leaves teachers wondering how to create meaningful and achievable goals for every student in every class. Hosted by Dr. Alice Hammel, music educator, author and clinician, this session is designed to offer practical tools as teachers seek to meet the needs of each student in classes and ensembles. To register, click here.

Lorie Hollabaugh
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