Overview
Teaching music at small schools affords unique opportunities and benefits, while also presenting specific challenges. NAfME’s Small Schools Initiative was started by Tom Muller, Immediate Past President of NAfME’s Northwest Division. Muller was the first chair of the Small Schools Initiative Task Force, and is now followed by Rich Tengowski, President of NAfME’s North Central Division, at the request of NAfME President Scott Sheehan.
Starting its work in February 2023, the Task Force identifies key issues and effective strategies for networking, community building, professional learning, advocacy, and resource development to support music educators in small schools throughout the United States, primarily but not exclusively serving in rural contexts.
The Task Force meets regularly to discuss priority issues and plan outreach and support for small school music educators including through surveys, research, articles, resources, town halls and other types of professional learning.
Resources
Webinar: Advocating for Federal Funds in the Small School Setting
View the recording of this October 2, 2024 NAfME virtual event
NAfME Town Hall: Perspectives on Developing a Successful Small School Music Program
View the recording of this April 10, 2024 NAfME virtual event
Embracing and Influencing Change in Small School Music Programs: A NAfME Small Schools Task Force Initiative Town Hall
View the recording of this January 17, 2024 NAFME virtual event
How to Redefine Success at a Small School: A NAfME Small Schools Task Force Town Hall
View the recording of this November 8, 2023 NAfME virtual event
NAfME Town Hall: Elevating the Small-School Music Education Experience
View the recording of this May 23, 2023 NAfME virtual event
August 2023 Teaching Music Magazine Feature Article
Celebrating and Elevating the Small-School Experience
October 2023 Teaching Music Magazine Feature Article
You Are Not Alone! Tips for New Teachers in Small Schools
Small Schools Initiative Task Force Members
Deb Confredo
NAfME President
debconfredo@temple.edu
Cecil Adderly
NAfME President-Elect
ceciladderleynafme@gmail.com
Scott Sheehan
NAfME Immediate Past President
sheehanmusiced@gmail.com
Tom Muller
Task Force Founding Member
Northwest Division Immediate Past President
tmuller2555@gmail.com
James Daugherty
Southern Division President
conductordisme@gmail.com
Rich Tengowski
Task Force Chair
North Central Division President
rich.tengowski@gmail.com
Judy Bush
2021-2023 Tri-Chair, NAfME Professional Learning and Partnerships Committee
jbush@lps.org
Lance Jones
Chair, K-12 Fine Arts & Tech. Education Department
West Branch Area School District
Morrisdale, PA
ljones@westbranch.org
Melissa Jmaeff
High School Teacher/Choir, Band
Sutherlin High School
Sutherlin, OR
melissa.jmaeff@sutherlin.k12.or.us
NAfME Staff
John Donaldson johnd@NAfME.org
Laura J. Reed laurar@nafme.org
Chris Woodside chrisw@nafme.org
Kim Henry kimh@nafme.org