MTNA Professional Certification Program

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.

Professional Preparation
Professional Teaching Practice
Professional Business Management
Professionalism and Partnerships
Professional and Personal Renewal

OhioMTA Certified Teacher of the Year

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 2023 Nomination Form. Applications are due by May 31st, 2023.

2023 Certified Teacher of the Year Nomination Form

OhioMTA 2022 Certified Teacher of the Year

Miriam Brown

My music journey began in the 4th grade with piano lessons and found I was tops in my class playing the flutophone! In high school, the choir director asked me to accompany the Hallelujah Chorus, and I practiced like crazy! It was a great experience. My piano teacher entered me in a competition where the prize was 2 weeks of piano lessons at Chautauqua, NY. I was runner-up, but my parents sent me anyway! I learned how much you can accomplish by practicing 4 to 5 hours a day! After practicing my piano, I took a walk to explore the grounds. As I passed by one cabin, I heard plinks, plunks, twinkles, and zooms. I peeked inside and the harpist invited me in, showing me a few things about the harp, which I kept in the back of my mind.

I decide to study music at Wittenberg. I continued piano lessons, and added harp later. After graduation, I taught elementary music in Gahanna where I incorporated music techniques of Kodaly, Orff and Dalcroze. WOSU AirFare Magazine featured an exemplary teaching project in which my mission was to foster music appreciation and creativity in students and families. During dinner one evening 3rd & 4th graders played music from the WOSU radio station or played a recording of classical music and then reported the reactions of family members.

Learning and improving have always been a part of me, during my 33 years of public school music career and beyond. As I retired from school music and launched into piano teaching, I thought about joining the Central East District of OMTA. I am currently Chairman of Student Activities as well as Chairman of Out & About, a program which offers monthly playing opportunities for students. Joining MTNA, along with the daunting task of earning the “Nationally Certified Teacher of Music” breathed new life into my private teaching and stepped up my teaching skills several notches.

Along with maintaining a piano studio, I perform harp for weddings, corporate events, and private parties in the greater Columbus area. My Flute-Harp Duo is a popular request among clients.

MTNA Professional Certification Program

OhioMTA Certified Teacher of the Year

OhioMTA 2022 Certified Teacher of the Year

Miriam Brown

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