MTNA Professional Certification Certification is a process that validates an individual's qualifications for a specific field of professional practice. It demonstrates to employers, clients, and peers that which the individual knows and is able to do. It signifies commitment to continued excellence in professional practice. In addition, it increases visibility, builds credibility, provides a goal for personal professional achievement and validates expertise for the individual and to those outside the field.

MTNA Professional Certification The MTNA Professional Certification program exists for teachers who teach music to students of any age level in private or group settings. The program is based upon a set of five standards defining What a Nationally Certified Teacher of Music (NCTM) Should Know and Be Able to Do © Copyright 2004 MTNA Certification Program .

Professional Certification Standards Standard I: Professional Preparation Knowing and Performing Music Knowing and Understanding Students

Professional Certification Standards Standard II: Professional Teaching Practice Planning Courses of Study Facilitating Music Learning Fostering an Educational Environment Assessing Musical Growth

Professional Certification Standards Standard III: Professional Business Management

Professional Certification Standards Standard IV: Professionalism and Partnerships Contributing to the Profession Building Partnerships

Professional Certification Standards Standard V: Professional and Personal Renewal Evaluating Professional Growth Continuing Education

Professional Certification Standards The Standards are woven into the five Teacher Profile Projects

The Teacher Profile Process This presentation shows the general outline of the Profile requirements.

The Teacher Profile Process There are five self-study projects to complete.

The Teacher Profile Process Candidates are strongly encouraged to read the Teacher Profile Workbook and the document What Will The Evaluators Be Looking For? before beginning the Projects.

Write Your Teaching Philosophy Project #1 Write Your Teaching Philosophy This will include your educational goals for your students. (Helpful tip: Don’t forget to include an essay on one additional topic from the list in the Workbook!)

Project #2 Analyze Four Teaching Pieces These four pieces are available to the candidate after he or she has completed an application and paid the fee.

Project #2 Analyze Four Teaching Pieces Be sure you have the requisite knowledge in theory, history and pedagogy BEFORE sending in your application and fee! (See page 2 of the Workbook for more information on the suggested preparations)

Project #2 Analyze Four Teaching Pieces Activities include: When introducing each of the teaching pieces to a student, what would you discuss concerning the historical era, the composer and the compositional style?

Project #2 Analyze Four Teaching Pieces When introducing each piece, what major elements of theory would you discuss with a student? These elements could, for example, include information such as major key areas, cadence locations and types, important modulations, interesting harmonies, the form of the piece, etc.

Project #2 Analyze Four Teaching Pieces Indicate at least three skills a student must possess to be able to successfully play each piece.

Project #2 Analyze Four Teaching Pieces Discuss how you would teach a historically and stylistically appropriate interpretation of each piece. This could include such elements as articulation, pedaling, dynamics and ornamentation.

Project #2 Analyze Four Teaching Pieces Identify four potential reading and/or technical difficulties in each piece and discuss how you would help the student solve these problems.

Project #2 Analyze Four Teaching Pieces Discuss where you would mark appropriate practice strategies and/or memory sections in each piece.

Project #3 Present Your Teaching Video record three lesson segments with the same student.

Project #3 Present Your Teaching We strongly recommend you begin test recording lessons for four or more weeks before you begin this project. This will give you valuable feedback on camera placement. It will also help you and the student become comfortable with the recording process.

Project #3 Present Your Teaching Video record three lesson segments with the same student: The first lesson segment should be between 20 and 30 minutes long, and include the beginning stages of introducing a new piece.

Project #3 Present Your Teaching Video record three lesson segments with the same student: The second lesson segment should be 15 minutes long, and should feature continued work on the new piece introduced in the first video.

Project #3 Present Your Teaching Video record three lesson segments with the same student: The third 15 minute segment should include the same student polishing and finishing the new piece.

Project #3 Present Your Teaching Video record three lesson segments with the same student: These three lessons can be stretched over the amount of time that it takes this particular student to achieve a mid-point and final lesson on this particular piece.

Project #3 Present Your Teaching Additional written materials: Give a list of the materials used in all the recorded lessons.

Project #3 Present Your Teaching Additional written materials: Write a self-evaluation of each recorded lesson segment. Each self-evaluation must address at least three areas from a list of topics that are given in the Teacher Profile workbook.

Project #3 Present Your Teaching Additional written materials: Provide your goals for this student in the next 14 to 16 weeks in the areas of repertoire, theory and technique.

Project #3 Present Your Teaching Additional written materials: Document how you assess the outcomes of your teaching—these can include adjudication sheets, recital videos and programs, etc. for all of your students from the past several years.

Project #3 Present Your Teaching In addition to the three teaching segments, video record your performance of 5 to 10 minutes of pieces that are at least an upper-intermediate or early-advanced level. For pianists, they must be listed as a Level 7 or above in The Pianist’s Guide to Standard Teaching and Performance Literature by Jane Magrath. These pieces do not have to be memorized.

Project #3 Present Your Teaching For other instruments, the benchmark for the appropriate level of performance repertoire (such as Level 8 on the ASTA lists for violin) are given in each Workbook. All the repertoire in your 5 to 10 minutes of performance should be at least a late-intermediate level. The music does not have to be memorized.

Project #4 Share Information About Your Teaching Environment

Project #4 Share Information About Your Teaching Environment Describe how you encourage a positive teaching environment in your studio.

Project #4 Share Information About Your Teaching Environment Show at least three resources you use to promote this positive learning environment. These may include photographs and/or video recordings of: Studio or classroom Acoustic and/or electronic instruments Computers and software Audio/video recording equipment Practice/incentive charts Other evidence that would demonstrate a positive teaching environment Games and art work

Project #4 Share Information About Your Teaching Environment Describe how you use the three resources you documented

Project #5 Discuss Your Studio Policies and Business Ethics

Project #5 Discuss Your Studio Policies and Business Ethics Describe how you would ethically deal with three scenarios given in the Workbook that might arise in your studio.

Project #5 Discuss Your Studio Policies and Business Ethics Document your professional, financial and business policies. This includes your studio policy, how you conduct interviews and a hypothetical budget.

Project #5 Discuss Your Studio Policies and Business Ethics If candidates are salaried music teachers or college students (rather than independent teachers), prepare a prototype budget for the studio/classroom.

MTNA Professional Certification Question: Can I start some of the projects before I send in my application? Frequently Asked Questions

MTNA Professional Certification Yes! All of Projects 1,3, 4 and 5 can be completed before you apply. The pieces for Project 2 are the only activities that need to be completed after you have applied. Frequently Asked Questions

MTNA Professional Certification Question: What if I don’t pass? Frequently Asked Questions

MTNA Professional Certification If the Profile is not passed, certification will be deferred until all projects are approved. Frequently Asked Questions

MTNA Professional Certification Question: How is the Profile be graded? Frequently Asked Questions

MTNA Professional Certification Each project is graded separately. If one project is deferred, only that project is resubmitted. Frequently Asked Questions

MTNA Professional Certification Question: I’m not a piano teacher. Are there different requirements for me? Frequently Asked Questions

MTNA Professional Certification The only difference is that the four teaching pieces in Project #2 are from your instrument’s literature. Frequently Asked Questions

MTNA Professional Certification Question: Is there a deadline for submitting my projects once I have sent in my application and fee? Frequently Asked Questions

MTNA Professional Certification Yes, you have one year from the date MTNA receives your application to submit your complete projects. Frequently Asked Questions

MTNA Professional Certification Question: What if I am not able to finish my projects before the deadline? Frequently Asked Questions

MTNA Professional Certification Candidates can request in writing an additional one year extension at no charge. If at the end of that additional year, another extension is needed, there will be an extension fee due. Frequently Asked Questions

MTNA Professional Certification Question: How do I submit my completed projects to MTNA? Frequently Asked Questions

MTNA Professional Certification Once MTNA has received your application and fee you will be sent an email with a link to upload your completed projects. The email will also contain a link to download the pieces for Project 2 as well as the due date for your projects. Frequently Asked Questions

MTNA Professional Certification Renewal notices will be sent to renewal candidates each year. **Note: Certification renewal is separate from membership renewal and is not included on your annual dues renewal notice. Certification Renewal

MTNA Professional Certification Candidates will submit an online renewal form or send a completed renewal application form (PDF) and a non-refundable renewal fee with one of the following options: Option 1. A completed and signed Documentation of Professional Renewal Activities Form OR Option 2. A completed and signed Administrative Verification of Professional Renewal Activities Form Certification Renewal

College Faculty Certification ALL FULL- AND PART-TIME COLLEGE FACULTY CAN CERTIFIED BY SUBMITTING A COMPLETED ADMINISTRATIVE VERIFICATION FORM.

College Faculty Certification College Faculty can also renew each year with the Administrative Verification form.

Permanent Professional Certification Permanent Professional Certification is conferred upon the successful completion of your tenth year of renewals.

Permanent Professional Certification Permanent Professional certificate holders are no longer required to submit points documentation or verification of teaching status when renewing but must still pay the annual renewal fee to keep their certification current.

MTNA Professional Certification Questions?