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Summer Meeting Letter
Update from the Executive Director
Current MERN Advisors
MERN Committees

is very pleased to announce the Music Education Resource Network (MERN) is in the final phase (Phase 3) of our organizational plan which was started in 2007. Final implementation of the network for the fall of 2009 is right around the corner. Area coordinators have been named and will be helping to locate and place MERN advisors with new teachers protégés in their own areas/regions. The 2009 summer MERN meeting will be held on Wednesday, July 29 in San Antonio at the Convention Center in Room CC 213 from 11:00 to 11:45 AM. All MERN advisors unable to attend will be sent final materials by August 1.

Dick Clardy, Executive Director of The Foundation for Music Education is very pleased to announce that Mike Ware, a past-president of TMEA, will serve as Managing Director of the Music Education Resource Network. MERN will be a proactive mentoring network and will immediately offer experienced Advisors to new music teachers that are entering the teaching field in the areas of band, choir, orchestra and elementary music. MERN will be hosting receptions for all new teachers in the fall region meetings of 2009. Enrollment in the MERN network as an advisor or protege network can be accessed via the forms below. Please forward forms to Mike Ware.

Download the Southwestern Musician Ad (PDF)

Protege Registration Form (PDF)

Advisor Registration Form (PDF)

The Music Education Resource Network (MERN) is being developed and hosted by TFME to provide mentoring and support for inexperienced music educators in band, choir, orchestra, and elementary music classrooms. These MERN advisors will be available to developing music teachers through ensemble clinician services, music program structure guidance, school district consultation, and other requests identified by inexperienced music educators. Invitations to become part of the MERN advisor program will only be extended to music educators that have demonstrated an ongoing commitment in support of the future of music in the schools.

The Goals Of MERN

General Information on Mentoring

The implementation of the MERN program will be in three phases.

Phase 1 (January – June, 2008) will involve the acquisition of the founding MERN advisors. These advisors will be extended an invitation by the MERN advisory committee based on personal knowledge and reputation within the music education community.

Phase 2 (July, 2008 – February, 2009) will be to develop a set of bylaws to govern the future selection of MERN advisors and consider additional efforts to mentor young music educators.

Phase 3 (March 2009 and beyond) will involve the continued creation and improvement of additional efforts that serve young and developing music educators.

Responsibilities and expectations for MERN advisors to the foundation are in essence on a volunteer basis. Due to the charitable nature of the foundation, the success of this endeavor is dependent on the quality and commitment of the membership. There are no annual meetings or attendance requirements at music conferences. However, volunteers on the trade show floor are always welcome. The tax-deductible one-time donation is $25.00, payable to The Foundation for Music Education.

The Foundation for Music Education
Attention: Dick Clardy, Executive Director
10701 Upland Avenue
Lubbock, Texas 79424

For more information on the Music Education Resource Network, please contact Michael Ware.