NAfME BLOG
Back to School with NAfME
Top Resources to Kickstart Your Back-to-School Season
Explore our highlighted back-to-school resources below to support your year ahead. Whether you’re a seasoned educator or embarking on your first year as a teacher, we’ve got you covered with helpful tools and information. NAfME is here to listen, support, and help in any way we can. Contact memberservices@nafme.org with any questions about your membership or NAfME resources.
Thank you for being a part of NAfME. We wish you a successful and fulfilling year ahead!
A Back-to-School Message from NAfME President Deb Confredo
Transcript: Hello folks. I’m Deb Confredo, President of the National Association for Music Education. As you begin this new school year, I am delighted to have the chance to send my well wishes and to take a quick moment to share what’s in my heart. You, your colleagues, your MEA leadership, your national leaders, all of us compose the National Association for Music Education. It is because of you. We are—and continue to be—a strong community, a beautifully rich and colorful tapestry of musical people. And it’s together that we change lives every day through music teaching. It is together that we will continue making a difference for all students, all music educators, all communities. You are the key to music education’s enduring place in schools for all children. You are the key to prioritizing music education as essential to human development as we work toward bettering society. And together we stand—as together, we are made stronger leading music education now and well into the future. NAfME and our state associations are here to support you—and I do mean support. You know how to reach me, and you know how to reach others in leadership. This is a personal invitation from Deb to you to speak up, to connect, to be involved, to lead, to be truly an integral part of strengthening music teaching and learning. Welcome back, music educators. Here is to a wildly successful and fulfilling new year ahead.
What’s included in this post?
Explore the featured resources below by clicking on each section.
Highlighted Back-to-School and First-Year Teacher Resources
From innovative teaching strategies to classroom management tips, these curated articles, webinars, and blog posts from NAfME members will set you up for an exciting school year!
Featured NAfME Membership Resources
As a member of NAfME you have access to a number of exclusive resources. Make sure your membership is up to date—join or renew today!
Professional Learning Events and Resources
Our comprehensive collection of webinars and research publications will help you earn contact hours and stay at the forefront of music education trends and methodologies.
Upcoming Events
Browse the NAfME event calendar to find upcoming events hosted by NAfME, State Music Education Associations (MEAs), and industry partners that match your interests, searchable by type and date.
Learn how NAfME advocates for music education at the national level and equips you to be an advocate at the federal, state, and local levels. Find resources to be an advocate for your profession.
Equity in music education is the keystone of NAfME’s Strategic Plan. Find academic articles, blogs, webinars, and more that address Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Access in the music education classroom.
NAfME offers six publications for all members at all teaching levels and in all areas.
Highlighted Back-to-School and First-Year Teacher Resources
Back-to-School Resources
- Article: “Preparing for Places, Paraphernalia, Practicalities, Processes, and People” by Deb Confredo (SBO+ Magazine, September 2024)
- Video: NAfME Council for General Music Education Back-to-School Message from Chair Steph Benischek
- Article: “A Sampling of Beginning of the Year Assessment Practices” (Teaching Music, August 2024)
- Article: “Teacher to Teacher: Tips for Getting the School Year Off to a Great Start” (Teaching Music, August 2023)
- Article: “What is the Most Important Thing You Want Your Students to Learn from You?” by Adam DeVault (Teaching Music, January 2024)
- Webinar: It Has to Play! Instrument Repair for Directors: Brass (NAfME Academy login required; contact hours available)
- Webinar: It Has to Play! Instrument Repair for Directors: Woodwinds (NAfME Academy login required; contact hours available)
- Webinar: Music-Driven Classroom Management Strategies for Elementary Presented by Anthony Molinaro (NAfME Academy login required; contact hours available)
- Blog: “Back-to-School Music Rituals to Boost Positive Classroom Culture” from NAfME Corporate member Kindermusik
- Blog: “Using Technology to Enhance Your School Concert” by Peter J. Perry, D.M.A.
- Blog: “Creating Meaningful Music Programs in Rural Settings” by Chris Harper and DaShaun McGee
- Blog: “Meet the Parents” by Lori Schwartz Reichl
Find more back-to-school related resources in the NAfME Resource Library and the NAfME Blog.
First-Year Teacher Resources
- Webinar: Necessities for Newbies: What We Can Do to Help New Music Teachers Be Successful Presented by Scott Burgener and Christopher Moseley
- Webinar: Dear New Music Teacher Presented by Elizabeth Ann McAnally (NAfME Academy login required; contact hours available)
- Article: “You Are Note Alone! Tips for New Teachers in Small Schools” (Teaching Music, October 2023)
- Blog: “The Key to a Successful First Year” by Marissa Guarriello
- Blog: “Being the ‘New Teacher’: Making a Smooth Transition” by Kevin Coker
- Blog: “Professionalism in Teaching” by Lori Schwartz Reichl
- Blog: “The Sunshine File” by Corin T. Overland
- Blog: “If I Could Turn Back Time: A Letter to My Younger Self” by Lori Schwartz Reichl and Neil Anderson
Find more back-to-school related resources in the NAfME Resource Library and the NAfME Blog.
NAfME Membership Resources
- Join or Renew your NAfME Membership
- Collegiate Opportunities
- NAfME Collegiate Kickoff Week September 16-20 (virtual)
- NAfME Collegiate Chapter Leadership Rally September 4 (virtual)
- Find Collegiate Chapter Materials like the Quickstart Guide and social media graphics on this page.
- Collegiate members could be recognized for professional achievement and eligible for the Shannon Kelly Kane Scholarship—learn more.
- Middle/Junior High and High School Opportunities
- Start or Renew your Tri-M Music Honor Society chapter
- The chapter setup guide has everything you need from guidance to elect/appoint officers and create bylaws to a sample membership application and sample induction ceremony with the Tri-M loyalty song.
- Get service project ideas for your chapter.
- Your chapter could be selected for recognition and a scholarship for your school’s chapter.
- Don’t forget t-shirts, Tri-M banner, and more—shop Tri-M merchandise.
- Connect with your State Music Education Association (MEA)
- Learn about NAfME Societies and Councils, including leadership opportunities, learning, and networking
- Catch up with colleagues on AMPLIFY, the online community exclusively for NAfME members
Professional Learning Events and Resources
- 2024 Biennial NAfME Music Research and Teacher Education Conference September 24-28, Atlanta, Georgia
- NAfME Professional Learning Webinars: Earn contact hours! Live one-hour virtual events featuring music education experts from all teaching levels and areas, scheduled regularly September through May.
- NAfME Academy: Earn more contact hours! Enroll in 150+ music education professional development webinars and track your contact hours on demand. (Membership/subscription required.)
Recently added to the NAfME Academy:
- Band:
- It Has to Play! Instrument Repair for Directors: Brass
- It Has to Play! Instrument Repair for Directors: Woodwinds
- Building a Better Brass Section
- Detecting Errors in the Rehearsal Setting
- Orchestra:
- Double Bass Basics
- Using the Suzuki Method to Enrich Your Curriculum
- Creating and Sustaining a Mariachi Program
- Choir:
- Using Evidence-Based Voice Pedagogy to Streamline Choral Rehearsals
- Programming with Purpose: Repertoire to Support the Developing Secondary Choral Program
- Starting a Middle School Theater Program
- Composing in the Middle School Chorus
- General Music:
- General Music Virtual Conference recordings (4)
- Encouraging Intentional Composition with Playable Videogame Soundtracks
- A Look at Preschool Music
- Yes! I Get to Teach [Secondary] General Music
- The Magic of Movement
- Jazz:
- Tips and Tricks for Teaching Rhythm Sections at All Levels
- Improv 101 and Beyond
- Building Your Jazz Program at Any Level
- Program Administration:
- Spreadsheet Tips for Managing Rosters, Grades, and Finances
- Copyright Resources for Music Educators
- Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Access:
- Supporting Learners with Trauma Histories
- Tools to Aid in Reading Notated Music for Students with Dyslexia
- Making Music for ALL Students
- Salsa Music as a Culturally Responsive Tool for Engaging Families and Students
- Teacher Wellness and Career Development:
- Health and Wellness for Music Educators (three parts)
- Transitioning to Become a Teacher
- Curriculum and Instruction and Classroom Management:
- Music-Driven Classroom Management Strategies for Elementary
- Creating Harmony across Classrooms through Literacy
- Effective Scaffolding Strategies and Techniques
Plus many more in the categories of Guitar, Composition, Research, Music Program Leaders, Music Teacher Education, Small Schools, Advocacy, and Innovations.
The NAfME Academy now contains nearly 200 courses related to all areas of music education, allowing members to earn professional development contact hours on demand. Learn more about subscribing the Academy, a free benefit of membership in NAfME.
Register for a live webinar this fall! View the schedule here.
Advocacy Resources
- Advocacy Bulletin Blog: Keep up to date with the latest news and action items.
- Music Education Advocate Podcast: Hear stories and reflections from music educators about how to make advocacy actionable.
- Local Advocacy Action Plan: Resources to help you advocate for funding and opportunities to support your music program.
- Grassroots Action Center: Find your representatives and get updates on legislation affecting music and arts education.
- Civic Action Field Guide: Understand the process behind how public education is governed and funded.
- Title IV-A Toolkit: Everything you need to know about Title IV-A, also known as the Student Support and Academic Enrichment (SSAE) grant.
Equity in Music Education
- Just released! Divisive Concepts and Music Education: Quantitative Follow-Up Study: Information on divisive concepts laws in the music classroom, including resources to assist music educators in navigating state laws and regulations.
- Small Schools Initiative: Learn how a NAfME task force plans to address the unique needs of teachers in small, often rural, schools.
- Equity Resources: NAfME offers academic journal articles, blogs, webinars, and more addressing Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Access in the music education classroom.
- Music Teacher Profession Initiative: Read the findings and recommendations of a national task force to identify barriers to equity in music teacher recruitment, education, and retention.
Publications and Research
- NAfME Books: NAfME publishes books on all aspects of music education. Current members receive 30% off book purchases.
- Teaching Music Magazine: Look for back-to-school articles in the August 2024 issue!
- Unpacking the National Standards
- How to work the Creating, Responding, and Connecting domains into your performance ensemble curriculum
- A how-to guide for composing in band
- Designing general music curricula for retention in middle school
- Beginning-of-the-year assessment practices of colleagues from across the nation
- Teaching music through online content creation
- Rehearsal strategies for high school choirs
- NAfME Journals: Find peer-reviewed articles for your teaching specialty in Music Educators Journal, Journal of General Music Education, Update: Applications of Research in Music Education, Journal of Research in Music Education, and Journal of Music Teacher Education
Benefits and resources are subject to change.
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