natalie’s blog

My Dad called me in Texas last Saturday, only hours before the conference was scheduled to begin, to convey the exciting, and long-awaited, news. The letter had arrived in the mail that day – MTNA (Music Teachers National Association) had approved my portfolio and granted me certification as a Nationally Certified Teacher of Music!

Several years ago I became aware of the potential for music teachers to become certified through MTNA. Desiring to be the best teacher possible for my students, I began my pursuit toward this end. For a variety of reasons, I chose not to go the traditional route of earning a degree in music to qualify for this certification. Instead, I continued my piano studies privately with Dr. Sylvia Coats, a Professor at a local university. Through her guidance and instruction, I met the necessary performance requirements to enable me to send in my initial application.

The next step of the Certification process required the teacher to demonstrate that “they have substantial knowledge of music theory, music history/literature, and pedagogy/teacher education.” In the absence of college transcripts, I was permitted to clep out of the equivalent by taking three tests last fall corresponding to each of the above areas. Having passed those, I was ready for the final step: submission of a portfolio documenting my Professional Teaching Practices, Professional Business Management, and Professionalism and Partnerships. After many hours of work, the portfolio was completed and mailed in at the beginning of March.

Through this extensive process, I have seen God provide in some amazing ways. For example, early last fall I was prepared to send in my application, but realized that I didn’t have the amount of money necessary to do so (the fee for sending in the application and requesting clep tests was pretty significant). I could have saved enough from my teaching income to provide the necessary amount by the end of the year, but this would have delayed the commencement of the whole process until after the first of this year. I prayed fervently that somehow the Lord would provide the money necessary so that I could get everything sent in and be able to take the tests before the end of the year. Amazingly, that month, one of the families who take lessons from me decided to pay for the entire semester of lessons up front, rather than monthly. They had never done this before and seemed to have randomly decided to do so at this time. The total amount was exactly what I needed in order to send in all of my application materials! I was thrilled to be able to share with them how the Lord had used their “random” decision to answer my prayer!

Certification renewal takes place every five years, and in the interim I must continue to document my adherence to the standards set forth by MTNA by accumulating points for the prescribed activities and professional involvement. Regardless of how long the Lord directs me to continue teaching, I am confident that the things I have learned in the process of working toward certification, and will continue to learn in order to maintain my certification, will prove valuable in many ways. I am so grateful for the investment of numerous people in my life who have made this possible, specifically, my parents, who first directed my music studies and have graciously allowed their home to double as my studio, my teacher and mentor, Sylvia Coats, and the students I have the privilege of teaching on a daily basis, who are a continual inspiration to me.

“The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.”

Proverbs 10:22

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