Overview
The Music Teacher Profession Initiative (MTPI) was formed in 2021 by the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) to identify barriers to equity in music teacher recruitment, education, and retention. A task force of NAfME leaders representing institutions of higher education across the country conducted research related to the challenges facing high school students as they make the decision to pursue a career in music education, preservice music educators in their undergraduate degree programs, and novice music educators in their first five years in the profession.
The project was executed with the perspective of widening the path to the profession by cultivating and strengthening more inclusive and equitable processes in recruiting, teaching, and nurturing a robust music teacher workforce. A Blueprint for Strengthening the Music Teacher Profession (released in June 2023) describes the task force’s process, outcomes, and recommendations for action. The report reveals the deeply complex nature of tackling evolution in music teaching and learning. The issues addressed are not easily remedied. We call on educators and administrators who have a vested interest in music teaching and learning to take an active role in moving our culture forward in ways that are inspiring, inviting, and inclusive.
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MTPI Task Force Members
Carlos Abril
Society for Research in Music Education, Chair
University of Miami
Coral Gables, FL
Cecil Adderley
Berklee College of Music
Boston, MA
Jacob Berglin
Florida International University
Miami, FL
Deborah Confredo, Chair
NAfME President-Elect
Temple University
Philadelphia, PA
Kate Fitzpatrick
University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, MI
Maud Hickey
Northwestern University
Evanston, IL
Steve Kelly
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL
Roy Legette
University of Georgia
Athens, GA
Nick Matherne
Hawaii Music Educators Association, Past President
Honolulu, HI
Sean Powell
Society for Music Teacher Education, Chair
University of North Texas
Denton, TX
Mike Raiber
Mustang Public Schools
Mustang, OK
Dave Rickels
University of Colorado Boulder
Boulder, CO
Tiger Robison
University of Wyoming
Laramie, WY
Resources
A Blueprint for Strengthening the Music Teacher Profession
The Music Teacher Profession Initiative: Current Status and Future Action
Building a Legacy: Recruiting Future Music Educators Webinar Series
General Articles on the Teaching Profession
Articles on Teacher Recruitment
- A Comparative Analysis of Influences on Choosing a Music Teaching Occupation
- Inspiring the Next Generation of Music Educators: A Multiple Case Study of High School Music Experiences and Career Choice
- Music Teacher Recruitment of Precollegiate and Marginalized Populations: A Review of the Literature
- Building A Legacy: Finding and Fostering Music Teachers in Your Classroom
Articles on Teacher Retention
- It Felt Like I Had Air Back in My Lungs: Eleanor’s Journey Back from Burnout
- Factors Impacting Elementary General Music Teachers’ Career Decisions: Systemic Issues of Student Race, Teacher Support, and Family
- Burnout: A Review of the Literature
- Mentor/Mentee Network: Isn’t There a Pill to Fix This?
- What Research Tells Us About Burnout
- How I Overcame Burnout
Historical Resources