Music Teacher, The Villages Elementary of Lady Lake in Lake County
rosemary@femea.flmusiced.org
I believe strongly in collaboration and sharing among those in our specialized area. We are stronger as
a whole. It is important that we educate ourselves and our administration about how music fits into evaluation
rubrics that were originally not designed for our subject area. We need to advocate for ourselves and our students,
and that can only be done when we are a united group. We are each empowered with the important responsibility
of molding the future of music in our world, providing the musical foundation for our students and forming their
attitudes about the arts. Through all the changes and state mandates, we must be careful not to lose the passion
that drives us, and I believe FEMEA plays an important role in keeping that passion alive.
Music Specialist, Roosevelt Elementary School, Tampa, FL.
Music is invaluable to human culture. Music fosters healthy human connection, communication, expression
and emotion. Providing quality music education is paramount in the physical, emotional, social and cognitive
growth experiences of our students. I believe a comprehensive quality elementary music education is the foundation
and cornerstone of lifelong learners and lovers of music. Our continued commitment to INVEST, INCLUDE and INSPIRE
our students will ensure that our students are prepared for their next level of music and for life. The skills
taught in our classrooms reach beyond the music notes and curriculum connections. This is integral in the development
of the whole child and a vital component for the advancement of civilization and humanity. I believe that performance
learning opportunities for our students, premium professional development opportunities for our educators and
quality classroom music making form an essential part of our vision as an organization. Our mission as music
educators in our everchanging world is to prepare our students for the future by passionately teaching music
that will foster healthy self-esteem and excellent musicianship, develop creativity and inspire self-motivation.
Advocacy is key in maintaining music education as a vital and essential part of our students’ curriculum. We
must continue to advocate for our students and ourselves. FEMEA diligently advocates for our programs, students
and assessments to ensure that music education continues to receive the invested support our students deserve.
“Together we are better.”
