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Time:

N/A - N/A

Location:

Clinician(s)

James Weaver

James Weaver

Bob Morrison

Bob Morrison

Leon Kuehner

Leon Kuehner

Rebecca Martin

Rebecca Martin

Thad Driskell

Thad Driskell

A New Approach to Mentorship: Working with Alliances and Making It Sustainable

Clinic Synopsis:

Traditional mentorship models often struggle with sustainability. This session explores how state alliances like the Iowa and Idaho Alliances, along with Teach Music, are creating lasting mentorship networks. Learn how to structure, fund, and sustain mentorship programs through alliances, ensuring stronger support for arts educators. Gain practical tools and strategies to build impactful mentorship in your community.

James Weaver - Biographical Information

Dr. James Weaver is the Director of Performing Arts and Sports at the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS). A native of Aberdeen, South Dakota, he graduated from Aberdeen Central High School and has built an impressive career in education as both a teacher and administrator at district, state, and national levels. Weaver's journey in education began in 2005 when he served as the director of orchestras for Perham Public Schools in Minnesota. He returned to South Dakota, leading the orchestras for Aberdeen Public Schools. During his tenure, the orchestra program saw unprecedented growth, earning high marks in regional and local competitions under his leadership. Weaver’s ability to nurture student talent and expand program offerings earned him recognition as a rising leader in music education. In 2016, Weaver took on the role of Director of Performing Arts and Sports at the NFHS, where he has been instrumental in elevating performing arts participation in high schools nationwide. His work focuses on professional development, advocacy, and increasing awareness of the importance of performing arts education. Under his leadership, NFHS has partnered with prominent national arts organizations to create a robust advocacy network, supporting performing arts teachers, adjudicators, and contest managers. One of his most notable accomplishments is the establishment of professional development courses for various performing arts educators and the creation of safety programs for marching bands and theatre groups. Additionally, Weaver was at the helm of the NFHS’s groundbreaking efforts to develop copyright education and compliance standards, launching the NFHS Copyright and Compliance Learn Course and Copyright Compliance Database.   During the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Weaver played a pivotal role in ensuring the safe return of performing arts activities. As co-chair of the International Coalition for Performing Arts Aerosol Study, Weaver helped lead a coalition of 125 organizations worldwide to provide guidelines for safely conducting music, theatre, and other performing arts activities. His work was essential in shaping policies for schools, state associations, and national performing arts organizations during an unprecedented time.   Dr. Weaver’s influence extends beyond NFHS. He currently serves as president of the National Music Council and holds positions on several other national music boards and policy committees, further contributing to his role as an advocate for the performing arts at the highest levels.   Before his national leadership roles, Weaver made a significant impact in South Dakota’s education system. As the district administrator of fine and performing arts programs for the Sioux Falls School District, he oversaw music, visual arts, speech, debate, theatre, journalism, and adaptive arts for special education across 37 schools. Managing a staff of 140 and a multi-million-dollar budget, Weaver also led the redesign of the K-12 fine arts curriculum.   Weaver’s earlier roles include serving as assistant executive director in charge of fine arts for the South Dakota High School Activities Association (SDHSAA), where he launched new programs, including a visual arts component and transitioned music adjudication processes to a more efficient digital platform. Throughout his career, Dr. Weaver has continuously championed the importance of arts education.

Bob Morrison - Biographical Information


Leon Kuehner - Biographical Information

Leon Kuehner received his Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts Degrees in Music Education from the University of Northern Iowa. He has been president of the Iowa Bandmasters Association, state chair of American School Band Directors Association, and state chair of the Iowa Alliance for Arts Education. He has served on the Iowa Music Educators Board and is a past president of the Executive Board of the Iowa High School Music Association. He has served a Co-Administrator of the Iowa Alliance for Arts Education “Model of Excellence” mentoring program for beginning fine arts teachers since 2006. He was the instrumental music chair of the Iowa Fine Arts Standards Adoption Team for the Iowa Department of Education. He currently serves on the Fine Arts Leadership Team for the Iowa Department of Education. On behalf of IAAE, he collaborates with the Fine Arts Consultant from the Iowa Department of Education and leadership from Iowa Arts Council in presenting a bi-annual Arts Education Summit for the state of Iowa. In 2012, he was named the national winner of the National Federation of High School Association’s Citation for contributions to music education. In July 2013, he became the Executive Director of the Iowa Alliance for Arts Education. He is the recipient of the Karl King Distinguished Service Awards for both and active retired members of the Iowa Bandmasters Association. He has also been named a “Distinguished Alumnus” of the University of Northern Iowa School of Music. He has served as the Iowa State Captain for the Americans for the Arts advocacy team since 2016 and has coordinated an Arts Education Advocacy Day at the State Capitol in Des Moines since 2015. In 2023, he was awarded the Governor’s Arts Education Award by the Iowa Arts Council. He currently teaches music education classes for North Iowa Area Community College and the University of Iowa.

Rebecca Martin - Biographical Information

Rebecca Martin is a dedicated arts educator, an accomplished arts administrator, and a visionary arts advocate who brings two decades of experience in Idaho classrooms and state-level arts education service to her current position as Arts Education Director for Arts Idaho: Idaho’s State Arts Agency. Martin began her career as an orchestra teacher for the Boise Public School District, eventually serving as the Orchestra Director for the Wood River Middle School and Wood River High School Orchestras in Hailey, Idaho. During this time, she also served as the string and chamber orchestra chair for the Sun Valley Summer Symphony Institutes, collaborating with local arts organizations to secure Hailey's recognition as one of the Best Communities for Music Education by NAMM for seven consecutive years. When her family moved back to Boise, Idaho, Martin then transitioned from music educator to arts administrator at the Idaho State Department of Education, where she served as the Arts & Humanities Coordinator for five years. In this role, she facilitated a statewide arts and world languages standard revision and provided support for Idaho educators to connect with state content standards and professional development. She also represents Idaho as a member-at-large for SEADAE (State Education Agency Directors of Arts Education) and serves on the executive board. Martin holds a BA in Music Education from Boise State University and a Master’s in Violin Performance and String Pedagogy from East Carolina University. She is a certified Suzuki Violin Instructor, began playing violin at age three, and continues to perform with the Serenata Orchestra. She returns to the Wood River Valley every summer as the conductor of the Philharmonia Orchestra. Martin is currently pursuing a doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction at Boise State University.

Thad Driskell - Biographical Information

Thad K. Driskell is Executive Director of the Iowa High School Music Association, bringing over 30 years of experience as a music educator, conductor, and program leader. Prior to his current role, he served in Class 1A through 4A public schools across Iowa and the Chicago suburbs, including 21 years as Director of Bands at Thomas Jefferson High School in Cedar Rapids. As Executive Director, Mr. Driskell oversees Iowa’s interscholastic music festivals, including State Marching Band, All-State Auditions and All-State Music Festival, State Jazz Band, Jazz Choir and Show Choir, Solo/Ensemble Festival and Outstanding Performance Showcase, and the State Large Group Festival. His leadership has elevated statewide performance standards and strengthened music education advocacy. Driskell holds a Master of Music from Northwestern University and a Bachelor of Music Education from Wartburg College, with advanced conducting study under Dr. Myron Welch at the University of Iowa. His accolades include the National Federation of State High School Associations' Heart of the Arts Award (2017), School Band and Orchestra Magazine’s 50 Directors Who Make a Difference (2012), and the Claes Nobel Educator of Distinction honor (2010). He was also recognized by the Northeast Iowa Bandmasters Association with the Phillip Sehmann Excellence in Teaching Award. A frequent clinician, adjudicator, and guest conductor, Driskell is active in numerous professional organizations including the Iowa Alliance for Arts Education, Iowa Fine Arts Education Leadership Team, and a previous North Central Division Chair and State Chair for the National Band Association. . He and his wife, Elizabeth, are the proud parents of two children, Carolyn and James.

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