Emerson Oliver

As an elementary music educator, I strongly believe in supporting our profession by addressing its most pressing challenges: empowering new teachers and strengthening struggling programs. While the programs and resources FEMEA facilitates are important for educators at every stage of their career, FEMEA is uniquely positioned to make a difference by investing in educators early in their careers - especially those without formal training - and providing the relationships and mentorship, professional development, honor ensemble experiences, and other resources they need to succeed. By prioritizing these efforts, FEMEA can help retain more teachers, sustain music programs in schools, and ensure that every child has access to a high-quality music education. Supporting educators at all levels creates a ripple effect - transforming not only individual classrooms but also the profession as a whole. I believe that by uniting our talents and focusing on these critical needs, we can build a future where music remains an integral part of every child’s education, and every educator feels equipped and valued.