Survival 101 - Teaching Music in the K-12 School Parts 1&2- With Liz Betts, Leslie Chambers, and Vanessa Miner - Nottelmann Music Company
Nottelmann Music St. Louis
Survival 101 – Teaching Music in the K-12 School Parts 1&2- With Liz Betts, Leslie Chambers, and Vanessa Miner

Survival 101 – Teaching Music in the K-12 School Parts 1&2- With Liz Betts, Leslie Chambers, and Vanessa Miner

About this Webinar –

Here is the complete and essential webinar for the K-12 music educator. All of the important topics covered with real-world tips and advice. Part 1 includes concepts and best practices on – the proper mindset, planning, daily procedures, and choosing repertoire.  Part 2 includes concepts and best practices on classroom management and resources. It also includes several “K-12 survival tips.”  If you’re interested in professional development credit, each part carries one hour of credit after successfully passing the Verification Quiz.

About the Clinicians –

Liz Betts

Elizabeth Betts is currently starting her third year as the Director of Bands for the Maysville School District in Maysville, Missouri.  She has taught the past ten years in small, Missouri schools – a majority being spent teaching PreK-12 Music.

Elizabeth currently serves as the Northwest District High School Band Vice President, in addition to being involved with the MMEA mentoring program.  She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia  and is currently completing her Master of Music degree from Kansas State University.  She is a member of MMEA, NAfME, and MBA.  She resides in Maysville, Missouri with her husband (Daryl) and two children (Liam and Cadence).

Leslie Chambers

Leslie Chambers received her bachelor’s degree in music education from Missouri Western State University in 2010 and her master’s degree in conducting from the University of Central Missouri in 2015.  She has been teaching band, choir and guitar in the Crest Ridge R-VII School District for the past nine years. Under her direction, the high school band has received exemplary ratings at state large group festival and continues to perform well in marching competitions.  She is currently the Vice-President of Bands for the West Central Missouri Music Educators Association, Teacher of the Year Finalist in 2018-19 and an active mentor for first year K-12 music teachers.  Leslie is married to her wonderful husband, Eric, and together they have two children: CJ and Gabby.

Vanessa Miner

Vanessa Miner serves as Vocal Music Specialist for Fayette School District in Fayette, Missouri, where she has taught since 2000.  She teaches K-5 elementary music, middle school choir, general music, and high school choir.

Vanessa is a leader within her school, community, and field. Currently, she serves as the chairperson for the Fayette School District Professional Development Committee. She has directed productions for the Fayette Area Community Theatre. Her students consistently earn high ratings at district and state festivals. She has served as the Elementary/Early Childhood Vice President for the Missouri Music Educators Association (2012-2014) and has been actively involved with the MMEA mentoring program. She is an active adjudicator throughout Missouri. She has taught vocal/elementary music in rural Missouri communities for 27 years.

Vanessa graduated with her Bachelor of Music Education from Central Methodist College, now Central Methodist University.  She earned her Master of Education from the University of Missouri – Columbia. She has done Kodaly training at the University of Central Missouri – Warrensburg and completed the first two levels of Orff at UMSL.

Vanessa holds professional memberships in MMEA, NAfME, MCDA, and ACDA.   She resides in Fayette, MO with her husband, Jeff. Together they have four children: Robert, Annelise, Emma, and Wesley.


To gain the most benefit, please follow these suggested steps:

Step One – Download the Note Page

Prepare to either type your notes into the Word.doc or Google Doc and save the changes, or write in your notes by hand into a printed copy.

Step Two –

As you view the webinar, we encourage you to take notes as you go along.  Feel free to stop the recording and rewind as needed.

Step Three – Download the Action Plan Template

Choose either format; Word Doc or Google Doc.  After considering the key points that you wish to implement, describe the point in the ACTION BOX select a date for the initial implementation.  Then, select a date that you plan to review and assess the success of the implementation.

Step Four –

PART 1     

PART 2   

An 80% score or better will result in a Certificate of Completion emailed to the address you provide.  Those scoring less than 80% will be allowed to retake the quiz.  In order to do so, you’ll need to register in the quiz with an alternate email.

Step Five – Review the Follow-up Links and Materials Below

You are encouraged to review these links for further study related to this topic.

Webinar – Music Educators Mentoring In Missouri – with Steve Litwiller, MMEA Mentoring Chair

Webinar – Successfully Managing Your Music Ensemble Rehearsal – With Kurt Bauche and Joe Pappas

Webinar – Go with the Flow – What to Do When Plans Change – with Joe Simino

Webinar – Teaching Band in the Small School with Big Success – with the MSSBDA Board

The following are from The Nottelmann Blog:

Editor’s Choice – 10 Concert Band Pieces You May Have Missed – Grade 2/Easy – by Ray Benton

Editor’s Choice – 10 Concert Band Pieces You May Have Missed – Grade 3/Medium Easy – by Ray Benton

Creating Positive Classroom Behavior – with Dr. Tim Lautzenhauser

Your Relationship With Students – by Ray Benton

Six Music Classroom Management Strategies – by Rachel Maxwell and Jessica Shields 

Follow up Materials:

Google Drive Folder – materials referred to in the webinar.

Contact by Email

Steve Litwiller – MMEA Mentoring Chair

Daniel Long – Missouri Small School Band Director Association

Liz Betts – Presenter

Leslie Chambers – Presenter

Vanessa Miner – Presenter