Joani Slawson

There is something very special about elementary music educators… We are passionate about sharing our love of music… we are committed to continually improving our craft… we are dedicated to providing opportunities for every student… we are tireless advocates for our profession… we are fund-raisers, cheerleaders, nose-wipers, and heavy-lifters… we are innovators, collaborators, mentors, and motivators. Identifying and harnessing the energy and power of amazing individual educators, and then plugging it into the music education “grid” so all may benefit from each other… That is my understanding of, and vision for, FEMEA. There is so much talent within the music education community in our beautiful state, and yet there are also so many who are struggling. Some are in their first few years… Some are in small or urban schools, where they feel isolated and overwhelmed… Some are in environments where a variety of circumstances are choking off students’ access to the arts. I see FEMEA as the North Star that helps to guide these teachers to support and solutions. We must actively seek out these struggling teachers and identify ways to best support them, to help them connect with those whose successes are inspiring.