The Oregon Music Education Association (OMEA) runs a Mentorship Program to support new music educators in Oregon. The program matches new teachers with experienced mentors, providing advice and assistance. This is not an evaluative program, but complements existing local and district mentoring programs.
- The Oregon Music Education Association believes every student should have access to a high quality and comprehensive music education. This should be delivered by licensed music teachers through comprehensive school programs in general, instrumental, and choral music education.
- Mentors can offer help in areas such as teaching pedagogy, classroom management, curriculum/lesson development, program administration, literature selection, and work-life balance.
- New teachers and mentors interested in the program must register on the OMEA website and agree to partner in the program. The State Mentorship Chair will use this registration data to identify new teachers and pair them with mentors.
- To become an OMEA mentor, one must have at least 5 years of successful teaching experience and be willing to devote adequate time to the mentorship relationship. Mentors should be available to their mentees and act as positive role models. They should be prepared to provide information about OMEA to their mentees and be available via phone, text, video call, or in person to answer questions, provide feedback, or offer advice.
- OMEA mentees should be in their first to fifth year of teaching or new to teaching in Oregon. They should be open to new ideas and the guidance of their mentor. After registering on the OMEA website, mentees should respond to their District leadership about the mentorship program and actively engage with their mentors.
- Upon completion of the mentorship program, participants will complete a survey of hours met and receive a PDU certificate from OMEA.
- All resources related to the mentorship program, including the program overview, mentorship resources, and program application, are available at our website, oregonmea.org
For more information, contact Cole Haole-Valenzuela, OMEA President-Elect, at haole-valenzuela_cole@salkeiz.k12.or.us