Welcome to the 2024 IMEA
Professional Development Conference!
What is your story? What stories are your students bringing into your music classroom?
Have you ever heard of the phrase “alone on a tropical island?” That is where I found myself in 2006: one of only three trained music educators on an island of 1.2 million people. This was my first full-time teaching position after graduating from college. Did I feel overwhelmed, lonely, and culturally exhausted? You bet! I experienced a steep learning curve while teaching general music to students ages 3-11 at an international school. Students were from 14 different countries (walking around during recess was like listening to the United Nations!) and most had not received any formal music training.
What were the lessons I learned that were formative to me as a music educator?
Have you ever heard of the phrase “alone on a tropical island?” That is where I found myself in 2006: one of only three trained music educators on an island of 1.2 million people. This was my first full-time teaching position after graduating from college. Did I feel overwhelmed, lonely, and culturally exhausted? You bet! I experienced a steep learning curve while teaching general music to students ages 3-11 at an international school. Students were from 14 different countries (walking around during recess was like listening to the United Nations!) and most had not received any formal music training.
What were the lessons I learned that were formative to me as a music educator?
Networking is necessary. I know what it’s like to feel stranded on an island–literally! Thankfully my longtime mentor (Sonia Johnson 🙂) provided me with resources including two books I read on my looooong plane ride halfway around the world. She also scheduled face-to-face calls where I could ask questions and work through problems I was facing as a first-time teacher. A teacher mentor was also assigned to me at my new school, and I would visit with her to talk through various issues that came up while teaching my first two years.
Our world is becoming more globalized. Having such a diverse group of students allowed me to observe that music is cross cultural, meaning the arts are a part of every culture. I wish I would have performed more research into discovering students’ cultures through song. Knowing the song heritage of your students (i.e. songs that they heard growing up, folk dances, etc.) only enriches your music classroom.
Good teaching practices stand the test of time. In my experience of teaching in a variety of educational settings, I have observed that all students are capable of learning. It is up to us educators to determine the best practices in order for all students to understand the concepts.
Learning those three lessons is how the IMEA conference is organized. Attending the IMEA conference will allow you to network, become familiar with diverse music, and learn about good teaching practices. Make plans to attend IMEA’s professional development conference November 21-23, 2024! This is the state’s premiere music education conference featuring a plethora of strands including best practice, innovative, choral, band, orchestral, technology, and advocacy. All stages of music teachers are welcome including pre-service (20% of last year’s attendees were collegiate), new teachers (1st year teachers who are NAfME members attend for FREE!), seasoned, and retired. Presenters range from local to national and cover topics such as improvisation, mariachi, popular music, ukuleles, folk dances, modern band, equity, gospel music, rehearsal efficiency, and more.
Learning those three lessons is how the IMEA conference is organized. Attending the IMEA conference will allow you to network, become familiar with diverse music, and learn about good teaching practices. Make plans to attend IMEA’s professional development conference November 21-23, 2024! This is the state’s premiere music education conference featuring a plethora of strands including best practice, innovative, choral, band, orchestral, technology, and advocacy. All stages of music teachers are welcome including pre-service (20% of last year’s attendees were collegiate), new teachers (1st year teachers who are NAfME members attend for FREE!), seasoned, and retired. Presenters range from local to national and cover topics such as improvisation, mariachi, popular music, ukuleles, folk dances, modern band, equity, gospel music, rehearsal efficiency, and more.
Some highlights include:
- Internationally-known music educator Joan Litman presenting songs and dances from the Middle East and Latin America
- LIVE choir demonstrations from Ames High School (Ames) and McKinley STEAM Academy (Cedar Rapids)
- LIVE 4th grade general music demonstration from Roland-Story Elementary School (Story City)
- Elementary and middle school choir reading sessions
- Affinity gatherings from our state’s music education organizations including Iowa Choral Directors Association (ICDA), collegiate, and Iowa Alliance for Arts in Education (IAAE)
- “Try-it out” open-play sessions including modern band, mariachi, and Gospel choir
Please check our website (iamea.org) for the conference schedule, registration (including meal information), and descriptions of all sessions. Make the difficult decision ahead of time by highlighting the sessions you want to attend. Then prepare to tag away as you attend our conference this November!
Conference Information
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