The OMEA Mentor Music Program

• Get a Mentor


• Become a Mentor

Special Relationship Should Not be a Secret

Jane Forvilly, Mentor Program Coordinator

Certainly, as it begins its fifth year, the opportunity provided by the OMEA
Mentor Program for special relationships and professional communication
between current and retired music educators should be well known. Titled a
mentor program for verbal economy, the goal of the program is to encourage
and facilitate connection and the exchange of ideas, techniques, and skills;
and also to share philosophy between music teachers and peers. The
connection is usually one visit.

Most frequently, active teachers have requested a mentor (read: experienced
observer and listener) to hear their ensembles before festivals, offer
critiques and encouragement, and to perhaps work with the students. Next in
frequency, the invitation has been for a guest conductor for the purpose of
having a new face and personality in front of the studentswhich also gives
the regular director a chance to step back and engage in their own
observation and evaluation from a little distance. Other requests have been
for classroom observation and feedback, materials or teaching suggestions in
a specific area, or perhaps a new teaching assignmentany situation where
getting the benefits of many years of experience in a hurry might be helpful.
The possibilities are wide open.

The mechanics of the program:

1. The active teacher puts in a request to the coordinator for the visit of
   a mentor; the request includes a description of the specific objective for
   the visit.


2. The coordinator contacts a potential mentor for that specific request and
   asks if they are interested.


3. If there is interest, the active teacher is given the retired educator's
   name and is free to issue the invitation and work out a schedule. The visits
   are usually one-time exchanges (although they can be more than that if both
   parties agree.) The coordinator has a policy of not inviting a mentor for
   more than two visits a year - often it's not even that frequent, it depends on
   the specific needs. No compensation is expected for the retired mentor;
   although, sometimes the courtesy of mileage reimbursement and a cup of coffee
   are offered.

Active teachers and Active retirees are both invited to participate in the
program. Active teachers: Consider how a visit by an experienced retired
peer might benefit both you and your students and perhaps be a refreshing
change from the usual routine. Retirees: You have skills and insights gained
through 20 to 30 years' experience. Here is an opportunity to share some of
that. (Besides, being back, surrounded by the dynamics of a classroom for a
short time is fun and energizing.)

OMEA Members Online Mentor Request Form 

Active teachers who are OMEA members can request a Mentor online!

Members, Get A Mentor

Become a Mentor 

Retired members, if you are interested in becoming a Mentor for an
active teacher, please contact the Mentor Program Coordinator. Please
share information about your availability, experience, and interest in
the OMEA Mentor Music Program.

Jane Forvilly

Mentor Program Coordinator

P.O. Box 399

Noti, OR 97461

Phone: 541-935-3393

Email: [email protected]