Congrats Music Educators

Soooo exciting!

I had the pleasure of attending the Maine Music Educators Association (MMEA) Conference held at the University of Maine, Orono. The MMEA board and conference planners did an amazing job on every detail of the conference. CONGRATULATIONS and THANK YOU! I know that it takes many hours of planning and coordinating the entire three and a half day event. Between the conference and the teachers and students traveling from all over the state, workshops, performances and on and on. It takes a strong village and the leaders in MMEA to make it happen successfully!

Every two years the conference marks a shift in leadership. Pam Kinsey will be stepping down as Immediate Past-President, Sue Barre steps down as President, and President-Elect Ben Potvin steps up to take on the role of President for the next two years. Thank you all for your dedication to the organization.

A very special part of the conference is the President’s Reception during which awards are presented to several educators. It was a pleasure to be there for the reception and a delight to see colleagues that I’ve known for years and meet teachers for the first time. The sentiments read during the reception were thoughtful and heart felt. I love that educators take the time recognize  well deserved colleagues – some who have served for many years and some for a short time. All educators making an impact – not because they are seek accolades but because they care about the education they provide for young people!

Thank you to the following who nominated their colleagues and thank you to the awardees for your contributions and commitment to music education! Please consider nominating someone for next years awards  presented annually at the MMEA conference. You can find the nominating forms under ‘forms’ on the home page of the MMEA site.

Rick Nickerson with Hanna Flewelling receiving the Outstanding New Educator Award from Windam Middle School

Kim Murphy, Glen Sargent, and Nancy Rowe. Glen received the Music Education Appreciation Award and was nominated by Kim and Nancy, music educators from Camden Hills High School

MMEA President Sue Barre with Sam Moore-Young who was inducted in the MMEA Hall of Fame

Oxford Hills staff Kyle Jordan, Sarah Bailey (former), and Dennis Boyd presenting Ted Moccia, Oxford Hills Regional High School principal the Outstanding School Administrator Award

Messalonskee High School Kevin Rhein presenting the Educator Appreciation Award to Pam Rhein

Nora Krainis presenting the Maine Music Educator of the Year Award to Linda Vaillancourt

Pat Michaud, Matt Madore, Dana Ross, Heidi Corliss, Becky Mallory representing Hampden Schools, RSU22 that received the Dale F. Huff Outstanding Music Program Award

Educators Honored

Giving to music education

MMEA Music Educator of the Year awardee Dana Ross with his college friend and music educator Steve Muise

Recently, the Maine Music Educators Association (MMEA) conference provided an outstanding professional development opportunity for its members at a 2-day conference at UMaine, Orono. Congratulations to the planners who spent hours planning the many details! I heard over and over how worthwhile the workshops were and how impressed participants were with the content. One of my favorite parts of the conference is recognizing our peers for their contributions. All three educators who were honored this year are outstanding and well deserving of the recognition. Congratulations and a GREAT BIG THANK YOU to the recipients!

Music educator Lonnie Westcott with Traip Academy Principal and MMEA Administrator of the Year awardee Eric Waddell

Hampden school district/RSU 22 Dana Ross received the Music Educator of the Year award. Longtime colleague of Dana, Heidi Corliss who teaches at Hampden Academy, introduced Dana. Many of Dana’s family and friends were in attendance. The pride was evident! Thank you Dana for your many years of dedication and service to students and assistance to educators.

Traip Academy Principal Eric Waddell was awarded the Administrator of the Year. Music teacher Lonnie Westcott nominated Mr. Waddell and was there to introduce him. No stranger to music education, Eric was in Presque Isle for many years so he has supporters and appreciators of his work from both ends of Maine. Thank you Eric for your commitment to music education and the students of Maine!

MMEA President (now past president) with David Watts

Music educator David Watts was recognized for his many years of service to MMEA as the treasurer. David left his teaching position at Freeport High School a year ago but continues in the field of education providing his expertise. Thank you David for your expertise and years of balancing the budget for the association!