EdTPA: Strategies for Success

The edTPA portfolio is a summative, performance-based assessment used by many teacher preparation programs across the country to evaluate the readiness of pre-service teacher candidates. Come learn some practical tips and strategies geared toward preparing for and passing edTPA! Both presenters have had exceptional success in supporting students preparing for this assessment.

Dr. Debbie Seykora O’Connell is a Professor of Music Education and the Program Coordinator for Music Education at Winston-Salem State University. Prior to Winston-Salem State University, she taught at The University of North Florida as a Visiting Professor of Music Education. Additionally, Dr. O’Connell has taught elementary, middle, and high school band and middle school orchestra in North Carolina. Dr. O’Connell serves as the Southern Division Representative for NAfME Collegiate. She has presented at state, national, and international conferences in music education. Research interests include musicians’ health and wellness, music-related hearing loss, preservice music teacher preparation, and world flute music.

Dr. Karen S. Thomas is a Visiting Assistant Professor of Music at Winston-Salem State University. Prior to her current position, Dr. Thomas taught at Appalachian State University, The University of Utah, and in the North Carolina public schools. Dr. Thomas has earned certifications in Orff-Schulwerk (Levels I-III), Music Learning Theory (Elementary General Music Level I), World Music Drumming (Level 1), and World Music Pedagogy. She serves on the Editorial Board for the Journal of General Music Education. Dr. Thomas’s interests include musicians’ health and wellness, general and global music learning and teaching practices, and preservice music teacher preparation.

NAfME presents this live virtual event at no charge to all as a service to the music education profession. To register, you must enter your NAfME member information or create a nonmember account. After registering, check your email for instructions. A recording of this program will be available to all registrants for one week following the live event. Members can also view archived NAfME webinars in the NAfME Academy.

The views expressed are those of the presenter; they do not necessarily reflect the views of NAfME.