2025 Maine Music Educators Association Conference

So little time and so much to do! Music teachers often struggle to create assessments that are both rigorous and feasible in the context of a busy music classroom and schedule. In order to ensure that students, parents, and administrators recognize the impact that our classes have on our students and the credibility of our grades, we need to be able to clearly show what students are learning – and using outstanding assessments can help! In this session, we will discuss basic principles of assessment to help teachers recognize the building blocks of high-quality assessment tools, explore examples of assessment strategies that can be effectively used in the music classroom, and build individualized assessments that work for each attendee’s specific situation. Come and learn both strategies that you can put into practice tomorrow AND ideas that will help you to create new assessment approaches for years to come.

Music teachers are the heart and soul of this incredible profession. The ins and outs of everyday life in the classroom and rehearsal hall coupled with the multitude of details that are our responsibility can sometimes overshadow the big picture of the collective purpose of music teaching. In this session, we will take a good look at the power of school music education because of YOU. YOU MATTER! Let’s get together for a little shot of “feel good” and remember all the reasons why.

Music teachers embody incredible work ethic, discipline, a love for music and an inspired passion like no other. These characteristics are at the heart of what we do on a daily basis and, for most, it is the reason why we chose to enter this profession in the first place. Why then are teachers more exhausted, stressed and burnt out than ever? Thomas Edison said it best. “A good intention, with a bad approach, often leads to a poor result.” In this session, we will explore the negative consequences of an all consuming job mentality and the often debilitating work ethic that goes hand in hand with a decline in health and wellness. We will explore ways to shift how we define hard work, productivity, effective & efficient teaching and examine self care techniques we all can use to foster an environment where work and life co-exist with more balance. Topics will include hobby homework, intention, self care and stress management.

Copyright is a complex topic, and one that is constantly shifting as laws and interpretations change. Without a clear understanding of what is and is not allowed under copyright law, music educators may unknowingly find themselves in violation – sometimes with significant consequences. In this session, we will cover the basic principles of copyright law along with specific activities that are allowed or not allowed. Although not all situations are clear-cut, attendees will leave this session with a better understanding of how the law may apply to their individual circumstances.

Music education is for EVERYONE! We will share ideas about how each of us can play an important part in opening doors and knocking down barriers to strengthen the profession for students and teachers alike. Please join the conversation about how we can contribute to the health and wellbeing of the profession to ensure quality music education experiences for all.

With hundreds of students coming through their doors each week, dozens of assessments, concerts to plan, and much more, it is easy for beginning music educators to feel like they are juggling all too much. With intentional organization and record-keeping, you can balance all this while feeling confident in your position as an integral part of your school community. In our conversation, we will discuss topics on organization and record-keeping both physical and digital, including curriculum and assessment records, IEP data-tracking, scheduling, and substitute plans. Participants will receive organization and record-keeping examples/templates for use in their own classrooms.

One of the most challenging aspects of the music education profession is giving the maximum amount of commitment and expertise possible to our students, while at the same time keeping our own energy reserves filled to meet the multiple challenges and demands inside and outside of our professional responsibilities. The goal of this presentation is to provide perspectives, viewpoints, and suggestions to keep our tanks full and glasses filled to become the best balanced, healthy, and giving versions of ourselves.