“A COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE”

 

       Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) has a national certification program designed to recognize professional competence within its membership.

       Certification is a process that validates an individual’s qualifications for a specific field of professional practice. It demonstrates to employers, clients, and peers that which the individual knows and is able to do. It signifies commitment to continued excellence in professional practice. In addition, it increases visibility, builds credibility, provides a goal for personal professional achievement and validates expertise for the individual and to those outside the field.

        The MTNA Professional Certification program exists for teachers who teach music to students of any age level in private or group settings. The program is based upon a set of five standards defining what a competent music teacher should know and be able to do:

·         Standard I: Professional Preparation

·         Standard II: Professional Teaching Practices

·         Standard III: Professional Business Management

·         Standard IV: Professionalism and Partnerships

·         Standard V: Professional and Personal Renewal

        Upon fulfillment of these standards, applicants are granted the MTNA Professional Certification credential with the designation, Nationally Certified Teacher of Music (NCTM). The credential and designation are granted without bias, discrimination, or favoritism between MTNA members and/or non-members or any other arbitrary differentiation. In order to maintain the MTNA Professional Certification credential and designation, an NCTM must continue fulfilling the program’s standards through the renewal process.

        Also available for college and university faculty is the Administrative Verification program which allows full-time or part-time college faculty to become certified using credentials already in place within college/university settings. 

        Beginning January 1, 2010, there will be a new MTNA Certification Process.  Information about procedures, applications and fees may be obtained from MTNA at www.mtna.org,  1-888-512-5278.

       The OhioMTA Central East District Directory is distributed to members, libraries, music stores and college offices throughout central Ohio each August.  Those members who have successfully completed the voluntary certification procedures have the designation NCTM.  This information is particularly useful for parents seeking a well-qualified teacher and for teachers recommending colleagues to the general public.

 

CERTIFIED TEACHER OF THE YEAR

 

        Beginning in 1998, the Central East District has participated in the statewide program to choose a Certified Teacher of the Year.   Each district is encouraged to select an Independent Certified Teacher of the Year and a Collegiate Certified Teacher of the Year.  District members are nominated by a peer in recognition of excellence in music teaching and dedication to service in OhioMTA/MTNA.  The names of our candidates are then sent to the state certification chairman for consideration for Ohio Independent Certified Teacher of the Year and Ohio Collegiate Certified Teacher of the Year.  The following members were nominated by their peers and were recognized at our annual Spring Conference:  Janice Cook – 1998; Martha Harter Buckalew – 1999; Rebecca G. Johnson – 2000; Ruth A. Powell – 2001; Sharon Reich Walton – 2002; Lynn A. Singleton – 2003; Beth E. Owen – 2004; Bruce Piper – 2005; Virginia Christopherson and Seymour Fink – 2006; Mary Craig Powell and Kenneth Williams – 2007; Carol A.  Rein – 2008; Tamara A. Morris – 2009.

       Nominations of Central East District Independent and Collegiate Certified Teacher of the Year are accepted beginning in January of each year.  The deadline for nomination is February 15.  Any Central East District member may nominate a peer who is nationally certified and has gone through at least one renewal period.  The nominee must be or have been actively involved in OhioMTA/MTNA at the local, state or national level and must be known for distinguished service and devotion to the cause of music.  Please take advantage of this opportunity to nominate a teacher whom you believe deserves this special recognition.  No special application form is needed.  Call the District Certification Chairman for more information.

 

Chairman:

Annette Suhovecky, NCTM

7642 Glanmore Ct., Dublin, OH  43017

(614) 889-5348 •  annette@brierhill.net