Certification
Case Histories
Permanently Certified Teachers In Texas
Texas Certified Teachers
Find a Certified Teacher Near You
The MTNA Professional Certification Program exists to improve the level of professionalism within the field of music teaching. It benefits the members of the profession itself, as well as the public who interacts with the professional. For the music teaching professional, certification provides prestige, recognition and the potential for student recruitment and increased earning power. For the public, certification helps readily identify competent music teachers in their communities.
The program is based upon a set of five standards defining what a competent music teacher should know and be able to do. Upon fulfillment of these standards, applicants are granted the MTNA Professional Certification credential with the designation, Nationally Certified Teacher of Music (NCTM). All music teachers actively engaged in the profession are eligible for MTNA Professional Certification.
To learn more about the two-step process to becoming certified and to download a certification packet, click here.
For more
information contact Nancy Plourde, NCTM, Texas Certification Chair at certification_PLEASEvREMOVE_ Ατ _THISvSPAM-FIGHTING_tmta_TEXTvPLEASE_.org
CERTIFICATION TESTING
Candidates are encouraged to schedule exams on official test dates. Additional dates/times may be scheduled by appointment pending the availability of an exam administrator. For more information, please contact Nancy Plourde, Certification Chair, at the email address listed above.
Congratulations to our newest certified teachers:
| Doris Gameiro |
| Susan Hong |
| Olga Marek |
| Dr. Courtney Crappell |
| Shelly Davis |
| Omar Granados |
| Dr. Kasandra Keeling |
| Heather Rathnau |
CASE HISTORIES
Being a Certified Teacher of Music means a lot to me because throughout my college and master's career at TCU, my pedagogy professor Dr. Ann Gipson had always stressed the importance of being a Certified Teacher of Music.
She and I share a vision that one day, all teachers of music will need to have some sort of qualification such as NCTM in order to help raise the quality of the standard of education of music to all children. She helped me get all of my materials together over the course of the last couple years including a teaching DVD which shows my best work. It has been a long road in getting my certification portfolio materials together.
I believe that being an NCTM will help me stand out among teachers who have not received any sort of qualification or music degrees but yet are teaching in our music profession.
Having this title shows all my students and parents that I know what I am doing and am qualified to do it according to a leading association of music education.
Doris Gameiro, NCTM
I chose to take the National Certification exam out of respect for my students and peers in the music profession. The NCTM designation affirms that a teacher has attained a desired level of professional and educational achievement. It is very important to demonstrate proficiency in one’s field, and to set high standards. Leading by example is a great motivator, and I believe my certification makes it easier to expect and receive the best effort from each of my students. Although I earned my Master of Music Degree many years ago, preparing for the exam was an excellent way to continue to better myself in my professional field. The exam review material was excellent, and the test reinforced the principles for why the NCTM designation is so important to our local, state and national associations.
Heather Hearn Rathnau, NCTM
Heather Rathnau, NCTM
Dear Friends and Colleagues,
Reflecting back to my teenage years, I remember thinking of my future and hoping that one day I would teach piano. The sacrifices involved in choosing a career in music were daunting, but I imagined the joys of a life filled with musical activities. The greatest challenge looming in the future was making a living. When I discovered MTNA, I was relieved to find a support group involved in collaborative activities and professional development. This was an entire organization dedicated to the field that meant so much to me.
Many years later, I realize how much I have come to rely on the benefits of MTNA membership. I always knew that I would work towards my certification, but since I was busy in teaching, performing, and research, the process seemed daunting and was easy to postpone. In reality, the certification process was clear and manageable.
Today, I am happy to join the ranks of MTNA certified teachers. Regardless of the field, certification is common to many professionals. As a previously certified auto mechanic, I can say from experience that customers look for qualifications and are comforted when they know that they are in capable hands. As certified members we support MTNA in the effort to promote excellence and to build the level of professionalism in music teaching. I encourage everyone to take full advantage of the rewards that certification offers.
Sincerely,
Dr. Courtney J. Crappell, NCTM
Senior Lecturer, Piano
University of Texas at San Antonio
Why Pursue MTNA Certification?
By Shelly Davis, NCTM
Why on earth would an established piano teacher with a thriving teaching studio want to pursue certification with MTNA? For many of the same reasons we encourage our students to participate in theory exams, piano auditions and competitions.
Certainly a student is able to make progress with standard music lessons year in and year out, but where is the excitement in that? Nothing can compare with the fear of the unknown while preparing for an extra-curricular event or the anxiety of stepping outside your comfort zone in performance hoping for the approving nod of a judging official or the exhilaration of knowing your hard work has paid off and you are able to taste success.
As teachers, we offer our students a calming word as we push them out of the proverbial nest while inwardly we chuckle at the memories we have of experiencing similar fears when we were students. However, as a newly certified teacher, I am able to offer my students slightly more compassion than before.
I have, very recently, experienced the same anxiety of performing before a panel of judges hoping for their approval. (I have also experienced defeat when one of my performance selections was rejected and I had to try again.) Fear of the unknown? YES – multiplied times three. My students only take the TMTA theory exam; I took not only the MTNA theory exam but also the history and pedagogy exams.
“But Mrs. Davis, putting together a TMTA Convention Project is so complicated and time consuming!”
“Yes, I agree with you, Dear, but you will be so proud of yourself when you are done. I know what it’s like to work on a big project. Let me show you my Certification Portfolio…”
When I first considered national certification, I viewed it as an ending point, almost as a substitute for the college degree I have not yet earned. Upon having completed my certification, however; I see it more like a stepping stone in my lifelong journey of professional excellence. We all have students who would prefer to simply come to their weekly lesson without us pushing them for more. But aren’t we thrilled when our students take a leap of faith and reach for something more? Aren’t we even more thrilled when they are successful and ask when the next opportunity is?!
“But Shelly, working toward MTNA Certification is so complicated and time consuming!”
“Yes, I agree with you, Friend, but you will be so proud of yourself when you are done!”
PERMANENTLY CERTIFIED TEACHERS IN TEXAS
Elisa Adams
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Jan Gauger
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Harriet A Motter Joy Moutos Beverly M Naismith Mary Nunn Glenna O'Dell Rebecca Oekerman Judy Owens Beverly J Panasik Linda L Parr Ruth Pitts Cherry Harvey Potts Eilene Power Lauren Puckett Marjorie Rasche Karen Kay Neff Reed Marolyn J Rippe Martha Blair Roberts Kyla K Rosenberger Charlotte Safi Shari Eve Santorelli Laura Seale Joan Serfass Be-Fong Shih-Foreman Manuela B Shull Dorothy Menke Smith Athalie A Southard Peggy R Swaizey Lisa Taylor Sylvia Taylor Catherine Tetreault Lisa Cheryl Thomas Mei Na Tserng Polly Tyrer-Ferraro Janice L VanDerbur Pattilyn Joy Walker Irene H Waters Alice Welch Margaret Wells R Glen Wester Colby Whitaker Jessye Streeter Whitis Sally Drefke Wilson Theresa H Wilson Etta Jean Wright Florence Young
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TEXAS CERTIFIED TEACHERS
Marilyn
Abbott |
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Matthew Kline |
Marjorie
Rasche
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