Michigan Music Educators Association Receives 2018 Excellence in Advocacy Award

RESTON, Va., Sept. 25, 2018 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The National Association for Music Education (NAfME) has awarded the Michigan Music Educators Association (MMEA) the 2018 Excellence in Advocacy Award in recognition of their efforts advocating for music education. MMEA President Lisa Furman, along with MMEA Executive Director Cory Micheel-Mays and MMEA Immediate Past-President Karen Salvador, accepted the award on behalf of Michigan Music Educators Association during NAfME's June Hill Day activities.

"Michigan Music Educators Association has learned the importance of being 'in the room,'" said Lynn Tuttle, NAfME Director of Public Policy, Research, and Professional Development. "Their leadership and members have worked tirelessly to attend any and all arts and culture meetings in the state, recognizing that the arts and culture organizations are often the ones invited to K-12 arts education conversations."

Michigan Music Educators Association has been a key player in several public policy discussions at the state level, including the writing and implementation of Michigan's state ESSA plan. MMEA's efforts led to a state ESSA plan that includes music and arts in their state accountability reporting system, as well as identifying music and arts as potential uses for federal Title IV-A funds.

MMEA has also participated in an overhaul of Michigan's teacher licensure program. In a span of sixteen months, MMEA was the only voice of fine arts education in the room. Their presence resulted in the preservation of the all-levels, all music teaching certificate and the removal of a clause allowing music to be taught by a non-music certified instructor. Additionally, MMEA's participation led to the addition of Pre-K to the previous K-12 certificate in acknowledgement of the realities of many music educators.

On March 20th of this year, MMEA hosted their fourth annual Music Education Advocacy Day at the Michigan State Capitol. Joined by student musicians, parents, representatives of school music organizations, and business leaders, MMEA carried out meetings regarding equitable access to music instruction for all students PK-12 in MI, specifically urging adoption of legislation mandating K-5 general music instruction for all Michigan students.

"We are grateful for this recognition of our work on behalf of music students and music educators, and we look forward to continuing our efforts to ensure access to ongoing, sequential music instruction, provided by a certified music educator, for all students PK-12 in Michigan."
– MMEA Immediate Past-President, Karen Salvador

The Excellence in Advocacy award, presented annually at NAfME's National Leadership Assembly, recognizes a state MEA for outstanding accomplishments in music education advocacy. State MEAs around the country are advocating by meeting with State Boards of Education, advocating to state legislatures, and engaging stakeholders. The 2017 Excellence in Advocacy Award recipient was North Carolina Music Educators Association.

National Association for Music Education, among the world's largest arts education organizations, is the only association that addresses all aspects of music education. NAfME advocates at the local, state, and national levels; provides resources for teachers, parents, and administrators; hosts professional development events; and offers a variety of opportunities for students and teachers. The Association orchestrates success for millions of students nationwide and has supported music educators at all teaching levels for more than a century. With more than 60,000 members, the organization is the voice of music education in the United States.

Follow NAfME on Twitter (twitter.com/nafme) and on Facebook (facebook.com/nafme).
For additional information, contact Ronny Lau at [email protected] or 703-860-4000, ext. 224.

SOURCE National Association for Music Education

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