/ Membership / Meet Our Members / Chad Rose
Candidate for 2025-2027 Northwest Division President-Elect
Chad Rose Biography
Chad Rose Curriculum Vitae
What do you see as the major challenges music education will face during your term and in what ways can you transform these into opportunities during your presidency?
I think one of the greatest challenges to our profession is the nationwide teacher shortage. Though there are still so many wonderful places to teach this beautiful artform, there are fewer and fewer candidates to fill the positions each year. The complications of social media narratives that paint educators in a negative light, a rising cost of living in most locations coupled with miniscule growth in wages, and complications of student behavior in some classroom environments have created a very small number of students who see themselves as professional music educators. A concerted effort to reverse the narrative regarding teachers is long overdue. Social media can be used to promote this wonderful artform and the exceptional students whom we are gifted with each day. Professional development opportunities that offer contemporary approaches to student interaction, engagement, and leadership training is necessary in this somewhat new world we find ourselves in. To paraphrase Ben Zander, how would you walk…how would you talk….how would you act if you thought EVERYONE loved music education, they just don’t know it yet?”
What do you see as the major challenges the association will face during your term and in what ways can you transform these into opportunities during your presidency?
Budgets are decreasing in many locales in the Northwest Division. As the amount of financial resources decreases, we will need to be more creative in how we approach both professional development offerings for our membership and honor opportunities for our students. Travel is costly from many locations in our Division, and hotel stays and meals at restaurants are increasing at alarming rates. It is important to consider diversifying our offerings to both students and membership to continue to provide quality programming while exploring more cost-effective methods for distribution and participation. Professional growth is as important as it has ever been and is a huge need for our new teachers who are seeking certification through non-traditional college approaches. The commitment must remain strong, and a commitment to reaching all professionals in need is paramount.
How do you plan to advance equity/DEIA in NAfME during your term of office?
As president of the Northwest Division, advancing equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility would be a top priority. It is important to advocate for the development of music curriculum that reflects a diverse range of cultures, traditions, and genres. This involves not only including diversity of composers and musical styles, but also culturally relevant pedagogical approaches and the involvement of culture bearers. As a former teacher of the proud nations of the Eastern Shoshone, Northern Arapaho, Crow, and Northern Cheyenne, I have seen what a benefit collaboration with cultural community members can be for students and instructors alike. It can help broaden the scope of music education and provide more opportunities for students from diverse backgrounds. Community involvement can help build stronger, more inclusive music education programs. I also believe that for any progress in instruction music must include platforms for students to share their experiences and perspectives on equity and inclusion. Listening to students can provide valuable insight and help shape more effective DEIA initiatives. Student agency is crucial for student engagement. Also of great importance, diverse voices and perspectives should contribute to decision making, which can help create more inclusive practices for our organization. Having spent half of my teaching career in culturally isolated communities that were either rural or remote in their geographic makeup, I know how important it is to make sure students in these communities are exposed to live music. Our association can partner, through grants, to ensure that underserved areas are given exposure to high quality performances.
Equity Statement
As a candidate for the position of Northwest Division President of NAfME, I am deeply committed to advancing equity in music education across our region. Ensuring that every student, educator, and future music professional has equal access to resources, opportunities, and support is paramount to fostering a vibrant and inclusive musical community.
Equal Access to Music Education Resources
Every student deserves access to high-quality music education resources, regardless of their socio-economic status, geographic location, or school funding. I will work to develop and promote initiatives that bridge gaps in resource availability, such as expanding digital resources, creating partnerships with local organizations, and advocating for equitable funding policies. By prioritizing the distribution of materials and opportunities, we can ensure that every student has the tools they need to thrive in their musical pursuits.
Equal Access to Highly Qualified Teachers
The quality of instruction directly impacts student outcomes in music education. Therefore, I am committed to ensuring that all students have access to highly qualified music educators. This includes supporting professional development opportunities for teachers, fostering mentorship programs, and advocating for fair compensation and recognition of music educators. By building
a robust network of skilled and supported teachers, we can elevate the quality of music education across our division.
Equal Access for Qualified College Students to Pre-Professional Music Education Programs
Our future music educators and professionals deserve equitable access to pre-professional programs that prepare them for success in the field. I will advocate for the removal of barriers that hinder qualified students from pursuing these programs, including financial constraints and lack of support systems. This involves promoting scholarships, expanding access to college preparatory resources, and ensuring that admissions processes are fair and inclusive. By supporting the next generation of music educators and professionals, we strengthen the future of music education for everyone.
My vision for the Northwest Division of NAfME is one where equity is at the heart of our mission. Together, we can create an equitable music education landscape that is available for all. I am eager to collaborate with all members of our division to make this vision a reality.
Leadership Statement
I am honored to be considered for an opportunity to serve you as in the position of Northwest Division President of NAfME. My journey as a music educator has been profoundly shaped by the professional time spent with my colleagues in the Northwest Division, both in Northwest Division Board activities as well as professional development opportunities. In my immediate family and throughout my professional career, I have witnessed firsthand the transformative power of music education and its capacity to inspire, challenge, and unite us. It is with this deep appreciation and unwavering commitment that I seek to serve as your Northwest Division President.
Vision and Priorities
My vision for the Northwest Division is one where every music educator is empowered, every student is inspired, and every community is enriched through music. To realize this vision, I am committed to a strategic commitment to these four priorities:
- Diversifying Professional Development: In a time that finds us with a nationwide shortage of qualified teachers, and where many smaller communities are seeing open positions filled with long-term substitutes, there is great opportunity to use our professional development conference to help grow the qualification of teachers in our rural, remote, and underserved communities.
- Enhancing Advocacy and Support: The importance of music education must be recognized and championed at all levels of education and I will work tirelessly to enhance our advocacy efforts, ensuring that our voices are heard and that music education receives the support it deserves. This includes building stronger partnerships with state and national leaders and increasing public awareness about the value of music in our schools.
- Fostering Community and Collaboration: The strength of our division lies in its members. I am committed to creating more opportunities for collaboration and networking. By fostering a vibrant community where we can share best practices, resources, and support, we can collectively elevate the quality of music education across our region. Through mentorship, teachers who feel isolated in their culturally remote locations can build useful resources and relationships.
- Quality Honor Ensembles for Our Students: Growing up in the county seat of the least populated county in the least populated state in our wonderful country, I value the perspective of the rural and remote high school student. Opportunities for the best students in non-urban areas to collaborate with outstanding musicians like themselves is crucial to their individual growth. I have been a teacher in schools that have benefitted from these programs, as well as being a student whose eyes were opened to what is possible through performance in these honor ensembles.
Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
A truly effective music education community is one that embraces diversity and fosters an inclusive environment. I am dedicated to promoting practices that reflect and celebrate the rich cultural tapestry of our region. This means ensuring that our programs and initiatives are accessible to all, and that diverse perspectives and voices are represented and valued.
A Call to Action
As we look toward the future, I invite each of you to join me in this journey. Your input, ideas, and enthusiasm are crucial as we work together to advance our shared mission. Let us leverage our collective strength to overcome new challenges, seize new opportunities, and ensure that the transformative power of music education continues to thrive in every corner of our division.
Thank you for considering my candidacy. Together, we can make a profound difference in the lives of our students, our communities, and each other. I look forward to the opportunity to serve as your Northwest Division President and to work alongside you in shaping the future of music education.
