First VP’s Column

egon will fill the university music education programs, and we will again have plenty of quality young teachers from which to choose. Our job at the university level is to make sure students are prepared for the battles that await them. We complete the cycle that the public school music teachers begin.

Ok, I have set the stage for the OMEA Conference in January. I know of no better way to combat burnout and stress then to attend. Are you finding that you are getting cynical about your job and grumpy with your students? Are you taking more and more “professional days” and spending too much time in bed? Do you go into Safeway and look at the guy stacking soup cans on the shelf and envy him for his job? If any of the above is true, you need to be at the conference! So many people have invested huge hours to ensure that our 2004 conference will be just the inspiration that you need. I guarantee the results! If you come and are not completely satisfied...well I can’t go that far, but I can say, “If you don’t come, you will be sorry.” I stressed in the last journal to not make a lack of district funds be a reason not to come—please find a way.

We need you to make this conference a success. It is our obligation to our school districts, our students, and to ourselves to get out and grow professionally. This is the opportunity to do just that. I will see you all in Eugene in January!