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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