Monday, March 21, 2022
For many people, advocacy has become a four-letter word. When asked to advocate for music education, we feel that we can't add one more thing to our already over-loaded plates. Given the attacks that are being leveled at public education, we MUST put forth a concerted effort to advocate for our programs and our students at the local, state, and federal level. Advocating for music education is not as difficult, nor as time consuming, as you might think.
Local:
- Make sure your administration and local school board know what is going on in your classroom. Invite them to watch a rehearsal. Send newsletters and/or short videos of what you are working on. Don't wait for your works to be "performance ready." Show them a thirty-second video of what skill your students are learning in class or a short description of what you are working on. This helps fight the perception that all music teachers do is sing and play and have a good time all day long.
- Invite local legislators to your concerts. You may be surprised at how many will show up. This could even be done as a video conference.
- Include advocacy facts in your concert programs. There are tons of resources online detailing the benefits of music education.
State:
- Write your state legislators. Introduce yourself as one of their constituents and a music educator, and list a couple of benefits of the study of music. If you live in an area that receives a part of its commerce from the arts, point that out. Many never consider the harm to the economy if there is not a strong arts education in place for its future community members. Let them know that you are counting on their help to keep the economy strong, the workforce well-prepared, etc. Do this BEFORE there is a crisis.
- Have your students write their legislators on what music means to them. Legislators would rather hear from students than teachers. It can be as simple as a Google form that is filled out and shared with the legislator. Short, one-minute videos of students explaining why music is important to them can also be sent to legislators. Bonus points for partnering with your history teacher to accomplish these tasks.
Federal:
- Call your congressional representatives frequently and add their numbers to your phone. At the very least, leave short and concise messages. Staffers compile a weekly legislative report on the number of calls, letters and emails on issues or bills received from engaged citizens. These reports are used by politicians to enhance or redirect their legislative agenda.
You can look up contact information for your legislators here: https://openstates.org/find_your_legislator/
If you are a Missouri educator and would like more information on MMEA's advocacy efforts, or if you would like to get involved in a more formal manner, please contact me at [email protected].
If every single one of us would employ at least one of these strategies, imagine how advocacy for music education would explode. It is imperative that each one of us do our part to make sure the study of music remains a part of a well-rounded education for every student
| Chris Sprague has been teaching for thirty years. The last twenty-seven have been at Bradleyville, a small rural school in southwest Missouri serving 220 students in grades K-12. Her teaching assignments include Band 6-12, K-8 general music and Vocal Music 9-12. Chris is currently serving as the Past President of the Missouri Music Educators Association and previously served as MMEA President and Band Vice President. She is an active clinician, adjudicator, and mentor. Her hobbies include fishing with her husband Matt and gardening, and she is a 40+ year fan of the Kansas City Chiefs. |
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