Beginning & Developing Teachers Workshop

 IMEA invites beginning and developing music teachers in Indiana (1st-5th year) to our tailored workshop! Gain insights on classroom management, assessments, planning trips, and communicating with administrators.

Learn from experienced educators, connect with peers, and leave with practical tools for immediate classroom use!

  

Join us to enhance your teaching journey!

Sessions generally include: Classroom Management, working with students with special needs, effective rehearsal strategies, talking with an administrator, avoiding burnout, recruiting, using technology, and sharing concerns and successes. 

There is NO COST for your music teachers to attend. In fact, IMEA will reimburse your corporation ½ of the substitute teacher cost for FIRST year teachers who attend the workshop. The workshop will run from 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. and lunch is also provided at no cost to attendees.

Date: 2026 date TBD

Registration Deadline: Wednesday, November 4; On-site registrations may be accepted of space allows.

Schedule: Sample schedule below; 2026 schedule TBD

Where: Indianapolis Children's Choir Headquarters (9111 Allisonville Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46250)

Cost: Free 

 

Registration is not yet open for 2026.

 

2025 Schedule

8:45am Registration & Coffee  
9:00am Introductions Chris Taylor
9:10-9:40am Keynote Address Bethany Robinson
9:45-10:30am Session I Presenter
 Blue Room Effective Band Rehearsal Strategies Randy Greenwell
 Red Room Effective Choral Rehearsal Strategies Brenda Buchanan
 Green Room Best Practice- Teaching Elementary Maggie Olivo
Conference Room Effective Orchestra Rehearsal Strategies Tom Chen
10:35-11:20am
Session II
 Presenter
 Red Room
Classroom Management Strategies (Secondary)
 Katy Briel
 Green Room
Using Children's Lit as a Springboard for Improvisation
 Maggie Olivo
 Conference Room
Creating Culture in your Program
  
 Blue Room
They Never Taught Me That
 Jon Nowortya
11:25am-12:20pm
Lunch
  
12:25-1:10pm
Session III
 Presenter
 Conference Room
Talking with an Administrator
 John Morse
 Blue Room
Pathways to Singing in Elementary
 Lauren Southard
Green Room
Recruiting and Retention
 Katy Briel
 Red Room
Work Life Balance
 Gretta Pote
1:15pm-2:00pm
Session IV
 Presenter
 Red Room
Work Life Balance
 Gretta Pote
 Conference Room Talking with an Administrator John Morse
 Blue Room K-2 Lesson Plans, Unlocked! Lauren Southard
 Green Room Sharing Successes and Concerns Chris Taylor
2:05-2:50pm
Session V
 Presenter
 Blue Room
Bringing it All Together
 Chris Taylor
 Blue Room
What Can IMEA Do for You?
 IMEA Officer
 
Substitute Forms/Evaluations