Empowering Music Educators Through Mentorship: Pathways to Professional Growth, Retention, and Longevity
Clinic Synopsis:
Music teacher mentoring plays a crucial role in the growth and development of educators. This session will empower attendees to develop a meaningful and sustainable music teacher mentoring program in their own networks. Presenters will share proven strategies, challenges, and solutions through a panel discussion with teachers in varying career stages. All are welcome, from early-career educators seeking a mentor to experienced teachers and administrators looking to support the next generation.
Matt Koperniak
- Biographical Information
Matt Koperniak serves as Performing Arts Coordinator for Fulton County Schools, where he supervises the district’s comprehensive music education and music therapy programs. Under his leadership, Fulton County Schools continues to be named a “Best Community for Music Education” from the NAMM Foundation, recognizing commitment and access to music education. He also leads the Senior Music Education Seminar at Georgia State University.
Dr. Koperniak previously served as Director of Bands at Riverwatch Middle School from 2008-2018. During that time, band enrollment grew from 135 students to 680 students. Under his direction, the Riverwatch Band Program received the National Program of Excellence Blue Ribbon Award from the National Band Association and the Sudler Silver Cup from the John Philip Sousa Foundation, with invited performances at The Midwest Clinic International Band and Orchestra Conference, Music for All National Concert Festival, and National Band Association & College Band Directors National Association Southern Division conferences. Additional teaching experience includes Georgia Southern University, Johns Creek High School, Norcross High School, and Jefferson High School.
Dr. Koperniak served as President of the Georgia Music Educators Association from 2021-2023 and on the Board of Directors of the National Band Association from 2018-2020. Recent conference presentations include the NAfME Biennial Music Research Conference, Education Law Association, MayDay Group Colloquium, and numerous state music education associations.
Josh Byrd - Biographical Information
Josh Byrd serves as Director of Bands and Professor of Music at the University of West Georgia. His primary responsibilities include conducting the Wind Ensemble, teaching music education, conducting, and graduate coursework, and administrating the UWG band program. Prior to his appointment he served as Director of Bands at Arrowhead High School in Hartland, Wisconsin and Assistant Director of Bands at Lanier Middle School and Norcross High School in Gwinnett County, Georgia.
Dr. Byrd received the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Conducting and a minor in Music Theory from the University of Georgia, where he studied with John Lynch. He received his Master of Music degree in Conducting while studying with Tom Dvorak at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and his Bachelor of Music Education degree from the University of Georgia, where he studied saxophone with Kenneth Fischer and conducting with Dwight Satterwhite and John Culvahouse.
Dr. Byrd is an active clinician, having presented at the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic, NAfME Biennial Music Research and Teacher Educator Conference, TNMEA, FMEA, CBDNA National Conference, and multiple times at the GMEA annual in-service conference. His professional affiliations include the Georgia Music Educators Association, National Association for Music Education, College Band Directors National Association, the National Band Association, Pi Kappa Lambda, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, and Phi Beta Mu. Dr. Byrd lives in Carrollton with his wife, Katie, and their two children, Tripp and Haley.
Dexter Bailey - Biographical Information
Dexter Bailey is the Director of Bands and Fine Arts
Department Chair at Creekside High School in Fulton County. He conducts the
Wind Symphony and Jazz Band, oversees the Symphonic and Concert Bands, and
leads the “Sounds of the Seminoles” Marching Band. His achievements have been
recognized with the 2021-2022 Creekside Teacher of the Year award and the 2022
Dr. William P. Foster Community Development Award for the Southern Region. Prior
to his tenure at Creekside, Dexter served as Director of Bands at Bear Creek
Middle School in Fulton County, serving as the school’s fine arts department
chair, where he received the 2008-2009 Teacher of the Year Award. A native of Decatur, GA, Dexter earned
his Bachelor of Arts in Music Education degree from Bethune-Cookman University
and his Masters in Music Education degree from Boston University. Beyond his
school duties, Mr. Bailey is an active clinician, arranger, and coordinator for
band programs and summer camps throughout the Southeast, including the
Bethune-Cookman University High School Summer Band Camp and South Fulton Summer
Band Camp. Dexter lives in Atlanta, Georgia with his wife, Crystal, and their
daughter, Jada. In his free time, he loves to cycle, golf, and spend time with
loved ones.
Myah Dickerson - Biographical Information
Myah Dickerson received her Bachelor of Music Education from Reinhardt University in 2022. During her undergraduate studies, she engaged in a wide variety of activities, including jazz band, voice lessons, saxophone lessons, and composition lessons. She is currently the Associate Director of Bands at Elkins Pointe Middle School in Fulton County. The Elkins Pointe Band Program serves over 300 students each year, earning consistent superior ratings at events sponsored by the Georgia Music Educators Association. Myah is also currently obtaining her Master of Music in Conducting degree from Georgia State University. She currently resides in North Georgia, where she lives with her partner and two cats. In her free time, she enjoys hiking and embroidering.
Jessica Thomas - Biographical Information
Jessica Thomas is enjoying her third year at Hopewell Middle School in Fulton County. She holds a bachelor's degree in music education and a master's degree in instrumental conducting from Georgia Southern University. Her bands have consistently earned superior ratings at GMEA evaluations, and her students have participated in GMEA District, All State, and numerous other honor bands and music festivals. She has presented at The Midwest Clinic and Georgia Music Educators’ Association Conference and performs with the Cobb Wind Symphony. When not teaching, she adventures with her partner, Matt, her son, Ollie, and her dogs Buddy and Athena.
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