Notes from the Editors

NOTES FROM THE EDITORS

Wendy Higdon

In his inspirational book, The Courage to Teach, Parker Palmer states, “If we want to grow in our practice, we have two primary places to go: to the inner ground from which good teaching comes and to the community of fellow teachers from whom we can learn more about ourselves and our craft.” Educators have been working harder than ever to meet the academic, social, and emotional needs of our students. As we continue to serve our academic communities, we must also reserve time for both personal and professional self-reflection and rejuvenation.

IMEA continues to provide support and meaningful professional development opportunities for its members, including online and in-person conferences and workshops, advocacy assistance, and—of course—INform Magazine! We hope to see you at our state professional development conference in Fort Wayne this January. Allow yourself the opportunity to reconnect with friends, soak up the wisdom shared by our outstanding presenters, feel the sparks of professional inspiration, and just relax in the company of fellow music educators.

This edition highlights four fantastic Featured Article authors. Learn how your musical instrument dealer can help you and your program succeed, direct from George Quinlan, Jr., in “What Do Word Association Surveys and Bobble-Heads Have in Common?!” Michelle Brinkman provides step-by-step lesson ideas for “Incorporating Children’s Literature in the Elementary Music Classroom,” including books and creative ideas for the winter season. Dr. Joshua Ganger inspires us to contribute to our field and support contemporary composers in “Commissioning a New Work: 101.” Is composition possible at the elementary level? Absolutely! Find out how in “Structured Steps to Composition in the General Music Classroom” by Calyanne Crouch.

Let this winter season be a time to reignite your passion for teaching; also be sure to care for yourself through rest and relaxation. Parker Palmer reminds us, “...the personal can never be divorced from the professional. ‘We teach who we are’ in times of darkness as well as light.”

Christa Jones

Wendy &Christa

Wendy Higdon Christa Jones

Editor Editor