Martha Gabel

Martha Gabel has been a music educator for 33 years, teaching elementary General Music, directing children’s choirs, and is currently the District Fine Arts Coordinator for the Olathe Public Schools. Located on the southwest corner of the Kansas City metropolitan area, the Olathe school district serves over 30,000 students in 5 high schools, 10 middle schools, 36 elementary schools, and 2 early childhood centers. In her position, Martha provides support and leadership for all Fine Arts programs, working with a staff of approximately 200 arts educators in the areas of band, choir, orchestra, general music, visual art, theatre, forensics, and debate.

As a presenter at state and national conferences, Martha has provided professional development for practicing and pre-service teachers on a variety of topics including music standards, curriculum design, assessment, classroom management, engagement strategies, and leadership. She has served on numerous state writing committees and training cadres, most recently leading the revision of the Kansas State Music Standards.

Martha holds a BME from the University of Missouri-Kansas City, an MLA – Education, and an MS in School Leadership, both from the Baker University School of Graduate and Professional Studies. She has served the Kansas Music Educators Association as the State Elementary Chair, is a past KMEA President, and is currently serving as the Southwestern Division representative on the NAfME Council of Music Program Leaders.

Martha and her husband Chris live in Olathe, Kansas, and have two daughters; Hannah, a music educator for the Wichita Public Schools, and Sarah, an interior designer in the Kansas City area.