Rationale For Credit For Attendance At AMEA Sponsored Performance Assessment Seminar
The Arizona Music Educators Association believes that professional growth occurs in many formats. On a given occasion, one particular format may be much more effective than another. For example, a casual conversation between educators has often provided great insight and immediate professional growth in countless circumstances. While that type of encounter is often unmatched in terms of quality, it cannot be recorded as formal professional growth.
The process of preparing a group of students to make a public presentation in a highly charged, competitive atmosphere in the presence of peers of the students, peers of the teacher and recognized experts in music education demands extensive hours of study and preparation. The actual public presentation is an intense experience for the teacher and the students.
As the performance unfolds, a critical analysis is created and recorded both on audio tape and in written form. This critical analysis provides both affirming comments as well as constructive criticism. The constructive criticism provides a foundation from which any number of areas of personal, professional growth can take place.
By analyzing the evaluative comments and the suggestions therein, the music educator has what could effectively be called a "growth plan." By taking action on the suggestions, the individual can grow personally as well as become more effective in the classroom. This process improves the educational process, fosters a higher level of excellence in instruction and thereby improves the educational experience of the students.
AMEA members who bring their students to AMEA sponsored assessment seminars (festivals) deserve credit for professional growth for the following reasons:
- the teacher receives a critical analysis of their interpretation of a musical score provided by recognized experts from which individual professional growth can develop
- the teacher has an opportunity to hear highly qualified colleagues make presentations from which additional ideas may be generated for individual professional growth the expert critique provides a means by which teaching strategies can be evaluated and improved
- the teacher is in a forum where ideas, information, and teaching strategies can be exchanged with knowledgeable colleagues and recognized experts the teacher has an opportunity to bring their teaching strategies to a pinnacle level for public presentation and expert analysis which encourages excellence in teaching
- this teacher receives suggestions which will enable the individual to plan for both short and long range personal growth
In the view of AMEA, this is very specific, critical, documented and effective professional growth.