Professional certification: the importance of renewal.(Association News)

As music educators, it is important for all of us to recharge our batteries every once in a while. Some of us go through lesson after lesson just looking forward to a summer break or the next MTNA conference for a change of pace. Some of us may be searching for exactly the right way to do that professional and personal renewal, so we have postponed doing anything. Then the process of professional burnout begins. How can we avoid professional burnout in a profession that often seems so isolating? In two words: certification and renewal.

Professional development activities, of which continuing education is only a part, are a proven way for teachers to avoid burnout. The MTNA Certification Program encourages and promotes continuing education for NCTMs throughout the initial application and renewal processes.

Going through the initial MTNA certification process is a reflective experience for many teachers. Veteran teachers who have recently gone through the process have expressed that doing the portfolio and/or studying for the certification exam has been an eye-opening experience for them. It can reveal strengths and weaknesses in your own professional program that you may or may not have been aware of. It can aid your involvement in continuing education and other association activities and it can help strengthen your relationships with colleagues.

My doctoral research (1) revealed that NCTMs participate in statistically, significantly more continuing education activities than MTNA members who are not certified. As educators, we should all be lifelong learners. We continually participate in professional development activities in order to give back our best to our students and to better our professional selves.

The MTNA Certification Renewal process gives music educators a built-in excuse to participate in many different kinds of professional development activities. Every five years, for the first 15 years after an NCTM becomes certified, the NCTM sends in documentation of her participation in professional activities. Whether NCTMs document their participation through a point system or through a portfolio option, the certification program provides guidelines for teachers to meet the NCTM standards through certain types of activities.

Standard IV: Professionalism and Partnerships and Standard V: Professionalism and Personal Renewal are documented through NCTM renewal. Standard IV is broken down into two categories: Contributing to the Profession and Building Partnerships. Contributing to the Profession includes activities such as monitoring, judging or presenting at an event, serving as an officer in a local, state or national capacity, publishing a music article, solo performing and mentoring candidates for certification. Building partnerships includes collaborative performing, organizing community music events and observation of colleagues.

Standard V: Professionalism and Personal Renewal is also ...