When was the last time you thought about applying for an MTNA “NCTM” certification? If today is the FIRST time, or if you’ve been NCTM-curious for a while, sit down with a glass of iced tea, visit the MTNA Certification site, and consider starting this summer!
The Nationally Certified Teacher of Music designation is earned via a rigorous application process through MTNA. Professional certifications can be gained in Piano, Voice, Violin, Flute and Organ.
I earned my NCTM-Violin in 2012 following the requirements that are still in place. Many teachers senior to me had a different (and some contend, a more rigorous) application experience. As I understand it, previous Certification requirements were more weighted towards deep understanding of music theory and repertoire; whereas current standards focus a little more on demonstrating effective teaching and the business of running an independent studio. You can read up on the five required Teacher Profile Projects at certification.mtna.org, it’s the best place to start!
Earning my certification felt like completing a thesis, and took me about 6 months from start to finish. I submitted a 60+-page document along with over 4 hours of video. Some of the tasks included:
· Writing my teaching philosophy in 600 words.
· Analyzing four mid-intermediate teaching pieces from the violin repertoire (provided by MTNA) and discussing how I would teach music history, style and interpretation, music theory, and coach a student to learn the required techniques.
· Videoing three teaching sessions with a student at the beginning, middle and end of learning a new piece, and writing a self-evaluation of each video.
· Performing about 10 minutes of advanced repertoire on video.
· Exhibiting my positive teaching environment through descriptions and photos/video of my studio, reward systems, use of technology, budgeting, record-keeping etc.
· Describing how I would respond to several ethically-challenging scenarios with students, families or colleagues.
I learned so much through this process that I think doing some of these projects again 13 years later just for myself would be a great refresher for my teaching!
WSMTA provides generous monetary grants for teachers pursuing certification. WSMTA Certification Chair Rose Freeman is a wonderful resource. Make it a summer project to get started on your own certification journey!
–Jane Melin, NCTM-Violin
WSMTA Vocal and Instrumental Chair