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: Wednesday, November 18, 2026

Registration Deadline: Wednesday, November 11; On-site registrations may be accepted of space allows.

Schedule: Below! 

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

Cost: Free 

 

Registration is open now through November 11. 

 

2026 Schedule

8:45am Registration & Coffee  
9:00am Introductions Chris Taylor
9:10-9:40am Keynote Address  Scott Bradford
9:45-10:30am Session I Presenter
 Blue Room Effective Band Rehearsal Strategies  Eric Scott
 Red Room Effective Choral Rehearsal Strategies  Scott Bradford
 Green Room Elementary Classroom Management   Michelle Bade
Conference Room Effective Orchestra Rehearsal Strategies  Heather Nieto
10:35-11:20am
Session II
 Presenter
 Red Room
Classroom Management Strategies (Secondary)
  Wendy Higdon
 Green Room
Classroom Management Strategies (Elementary)
 Michelle Bade 
 Conference Room
Creating Culture in your Program
  Katy Briel
 Blue Room
They Never Taught Me That
 Brian Wiedner 
11:25am-12:20pm
Lunch
  
12:25-1:10pm
Session III
 Presenter
 Conference Room
Talking with an Administrator
 John Pinson 
 Blue Room
Creating a Positive Culture in Elementary
 Alyssa Anderson 
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 Pinson 
 Blue Room Active Music Making - Elementary Alyssa Anderson 
 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