Members of the National Association for Music Education: We are pleased to announce the officers you have elected.
Following are the 2016-18 National President-Elect; North Central Division President-Elect; Southern Division President-Elect; and Western Division President-Elect.
Kathleen Sanz elected as incoming NAfME President-Elect.
Ms. Sanz is Past President of the Southern Division of NAfME, as well as Past President of the Florida Music Educators Association. Ms. Sanz has also served as President of the Florida School Music Association, 2010-2011. Currently, Ms. Sanz is the State Executive of the Florida Music Educators Association.
“The rapidly changing external environment, due to social, technological, economic, and political variables poses a major challenge, as well as an opportunity for music education,” Ms. Sanz noted. “What will the education of our students look like in public/private schools, virtual/online education, charter schools, and in home education during 2018-2020? This is a serious question that will need multiple solutions.”
“What will the education of our students look like in public/private schools, virtual/online education, charter schools, and in home education during 2018-2020? This is a serious question that will need multiple solutions.”
Read more of Ms. Sanz’s remarks here.
Judith Bush elected as incoming North Central Division President-Elect.
Judith (Judy) Bush is beginning her twenty-fifth year of teaching and her 12th year as General Music Specialist at Fredstrom Elementary School in Lincoln, Nebraska. Before moving to Nebraska in 2000, Judy taught in Kentucky and Ohio. In addition to teaching general music, she has taught middle level and high school choir, beginning band and high school marching band. Judy earned her BME from Northern Kentucky University and her Orff Certification with Rene Boyer from the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, with graduate work at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Glenn Korff School of Music. She has served the Nebraska Music Educators Association for the past twelve years, beginning as Public Relations/Advocacy Chair and is now completing her term as Immediate Past President.
“The challenges I see facing music education are complex and multi-layered,” says Ms. Bush. “From a national point of view, the most pressing challenge is seeing through the passage of the new ESSA Bill as there will be a huge trickle-down effect, and we must help our teachers prepare for it.”
“From a national point of view, the most pressing challenge is seeing through the passage of the new ESSA Bill as there will be a huge trickle-down effect, and we must help our teachers prepare for it.”
Read more from Ms. Bush here.
Dian Eddleman elected as incoming Southern Division President-Elect.
Dian Eddleman, Immediate Past-President of the Tennessee Music Education Association is presently Director of Choral Activities at the University School of Jackson, Jackson, Tennessee. She previously served as President of West Tennessee Vocal Music Education Association and as a longtime board member of TMEA and WTVMEA.
“It will be important to assist our state music education associations in supporting the constant change our music educators face across the country,” emphasized Mrs. Eddleman. “Common core, teacher evaluation systems, and high stakes testing place ever-increasing burdens on our teachers. Music teacher attrition and low teacher morale are becoming problems. We must continue to provide support and guidance to our members, as well as a legislative voice in favor of keeping music as a core subject. Assisting our state leaders, school leaders, and members in advocacy on every level is paramount.”
“We must continue to provide support and guidance to our members, as well as a legislative voice in favor of keeping music as a core subject. Assisting our state leaders, school leaders, and members in advocacy on every level is paramount.”
Read more remarks from Mrs. Eddleman here.
Samuel Tsugawa elected as incoming Western Division President-Elect.
A native of Hawaii, Samuel Tsugawa has served as Director of Orchestras at Springville Senior and Junior High Schools, Nebo School District (Utah) since 1988. He holds bachelor and master of music education degrees from Brigham Young University and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in music education from Arizona State University. Dr. Tsugawa’s has served on the UMEA Executive Board for eight years as Orchestra Vice-President (1999-2003), President-elect (2011-2013), President (2013-2015) and currently serves as its Immediate Past-President.
“I believe, as did the Vision 2020 participants, the primary concern for the future of music education is the struggle to remain a relevant, viable, and vibrant part of American life,” says Dr. Tsugawa. “As Western Division President, I hope to begin a lively dialogue resulting in answers to two important questions: ‘How have societal changes, current educational reform, and political demands marginalized music programs in each region of the country?’ and ‘How should the profession respond to the these changes that have affected our music education and music making?’”
“The primary concern for the future of music education is the struggle to remain a relevant, viable, and vibrant part of American life.”
Read more about Dr. Tsugawa here.
These newly elected officers will begin serving June 17, 2016.
Additionally, all amendments to the NAfME Bylaws passed:
(1) Require appointment of an Independent Audit Committee
The Executive Committee currently serves as both finance and the audit committee, as specified in Bylaw III, section 3 (C.c.i) . This action removes audit committee responsibilities from the Executive Committee and requires the National Executive Board to appoint an independent audit committee. This allocation of committee responsibilities is best practice among associations, and is consistent with current law and regulation.
(2) Allow flexibility of administration of the Hall of Fame
The proposed bylaw to read: “The National Executive Board shall maintain a Hall of Fame Committee with the purpose of honoring the long-term contributions of individuals to Music Education.” This replaces bylaw VII, section 5(B).
(3) Allow NAfME to recognize affiliate organizations in other nations
Current bylaws allow affiliated organizations in the States, as well as in US territories, commonwealths, the District of Columbia, or other jurisdictions. This action would empower the National Executive Board to recognize federated associations (equivalent to state MEAs) in other nations.
View the 2016 NAfME Constitution and Bylaws.
