Professional Certification

American Music Teacher, August-Sept, 2004 by Michelle Gordon

At first, I was quite intimidated about the testing. But I read and studied many books about pedagogy (recommended on the MTNA website) and had attended pedagogical lectures on state, national and local levels for many years. When I couldn't stand to pick up another pedagogy book, I knew it was time for the exam. The exam was very thorough and specific to the topic. I remember telling my mentor that if I had taken the exam six years ago, I probably wouldn't have passed. You do really need to study for this. As far as the history exam went, all the material was covered in the video course I took and the extra studying I did, both online on various music history sites and from books I read (again recommended on the MTNA website). The test was comprehensive and not very surprising. I would suggest that everyone study the MTNA Competitions "Composer Classification List" published in the April/May issues of American Music Teacher (as recommended on the website). As far as the final exam went, I really didn't know how to study for it--I either knew enough to take it or I didn't. When I took it, I really felt that instead of giving me pencil and paper, they should have just been able to connect a computer cable to my brain and download all knowledge I had of music, piano and teaching. It is a very intense test. But I felt the questions were quite fair. I thought that perhaps college and university professors would have quite an edge on me, but the test was composed in such a way that there were questions specific to independent teachers, and to the university people as well. The test helped me clearly define what I knew and forced me to narrate it in an intelligent way. Bring lots of sharp pencils--I was writing for the entire three hours.

My mentor helped me in this process by listening to me carry on about how I was sure I didn't pass the tests because they were so hard and I hadn't taken tests like that in so many years. She also helped by quizzing me--every once in a while I would receive an e-mail from her with a pedagogical or music history question she had made up. I would take time and answer it as completely as I could. I think this helped me begin to focus on my own teaching and helped me prepare to write intelligently for the final exam. She was there for me to cry on her shoulder and to rejoice with when I got passing grades. She helped motivate me and kept me from getting depressed. It was great to have a mentor, and I hope I can mentor another teacher some day.

I plan to include some mention of MTNA certification in all my parent newsletters from now on. Since I get most of my new students through word-of-mouth, I hope to circulate the phrase "Nationally Certified Teacher of Music" the same way. I think we need to educate parents and students regarding NCTM status and not be shy.

I am not a different teacher today because I have the initials NCTM after my name, but I am a more self-confident teacher, feel more professional, feel part of an elite group of teachers and feel justified in telling parents that their child is getting the best piano education they can. I feel proud. I feel empowered. I feel honored to have shared this with all of you.