The MTNA Professional Certification Program exists to improve the level of professionalism within the field of music teaching. Certification helps readily identify competent teachers within the community and provides these teachers with prestige, recognition and the potential for student recruitment and increased earning power.
The Certification Process validates an individual's qualifications for a specific field of professional practice. 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. 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 competent music teacher should know and be able to do.
Each year OhioMTA selects a Certified Teacher of the Year who will serve as Ohio's nominee for the MTNA Teacher of the Year. OhioMTA teacher of the year will receive a waiver to cover registration at the annual state conference, plus lunch at the Annual Awards Brunch. The recipient of the National Award is awarded a conference package that includes airfare, two nights at the conference hotel, conference registration and two Awards Brunch tickets. Click the button below to download the 2022 Nomination Form. Applications are due by May 31st, 2022.
Kathleen Merwin’s love for music was evident at an early age, with supportive parents enrolling her during preschool years in a “Kindermusik-style” class. Singing was a favorite activity, both at home and at church. Kathleen’s paternal grandmother was a church musician and piano teacher. After her untimely death at an early age, Kathleen’s father regretted never having studied music as a child. He purchased a piano and began lessons, only to discover a lack of practice time due to career demands. Soon, however, a small preschooler found her way to the piano, playing by ear. As the father’s interest waned, the legacy of music continued to the next generation! Kathleen ultimately earned a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Illinois. While in high school, under the instruction of Dr. William Phemister (Wheaton College), she was awarded First Place in the Illinois State Music Teachers Association Senior Division. At the University of Illinois, she studied with internationally acclaimed pianist Mr. Ian Hobson, and was also a summer student of Ms. Susan Starr at Curtis Institute in Philadelphia. While her concentration at the University of Illinois was piano performance, her meaningful coursework and subsequent professional training in pedagogy have brought years of enjoyment and success in teaching children, teens and adults in New Orleans, LA and Hudson, OH. Constantly committed to further professional development, Kathleen has been an active member of the OhioMTA / Western Reserve Music Teachers Association (WRMTA), National/Ohio Federation of Music Clubs and American College of Musicians. She has continued her post-graduate study with Mrs. Nancy Bachus and most recently, Dr. Andrew Focks. In 2016, she achieved status as a Nationally Certified Teacher of Music through demonstration of significant project based standards set forth by Music Teachers National Association (MTNA). A member of Summit County OhioMTA (subsequently WRMTA) since 2006, Kathleen’s sustained service to these groups includes board positions of Secretary and VP Student Events. She remains committed to mentoring teachers who are new to the organization, as well as working alongside teachers pursuing their own certification projects.
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