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2024 MMEA Post Election Winners (1500 × 800 px) (1).png

We are pleased to announce the results of the 2024 Board Election.
Congratulations to these incoming officers!

Maryland Music Educators Association, Member-At-Large

Otis L. Eldridge - Baltimore City

Otis Eldridge was born in Baltimore, Maryland. His musical journey began in the 6th grade at Booker T. Washington Middle School. He later attended Baltimore City College High School and eventually Morgan State University. In 2009, he obtained a bachelor's degree in music then immediately pursued an MAT at the graduate level. He initially became a full-time public-school music teacher in 2011. In 2016, he began course work toward a doctorate in urban educational leadership from Morgan State University. He is currently the band director/music teacher at Hamilton Elementary/Middle School.

Maryland Music Educators Association, Recording Secretary

Carrie Barrett Traube - Baltimore County

Carrie Barrett Traube, NBCT, holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s of Music Education Degree from Towson University. She has taught 4th and 5th grade music in Baltimore County for the past 6 years. At her school, she fills the role of both the vocal general and the instrumental teacher and has an after school ukulele program. During the summer, she enjoys working at music camps and marching band camps.

Maryland Band Directors Association, President-Elect

Susan Eckerle - Montgomery County

Susan Eckerle oversees the Wootton High School band program. She has taught in the Hawaii, Mississippi, and Maryland school systems. These very diverse teaching situations have given her the confidence and knowledge that every student can achieve excellence. She serves on the MBDA board and is the assistant manager of the Senior All-State Band. She received the MMEA Outstanding Music Educator Award in 2023 and the Scroll of Excellence from WBDI in 2022.

Maryland Society for Music Teacher Education, President-Elect

Robin Giebelhausen - University of Maryland

Robin Giebelhausen is an assistant professor of music education at the University of Maryland specializing in general music where she is founder and coordinator of the Hatchling Community Music Program. Dr. Giebelhausen has taught students from birth (early childhood) to earth (retirement communities) and everything in between (preschool, elementary, secondary, college, professional development). She has presented across the nation and has publications in various journals. More information can be found at https://soundeducators.org/ 

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Maryland General Music Teachers Association, President-Elect

We will have important updates about our MGMTA leadership soon.

Overview

The Maryland Music Educators Association (MMEA) hosts annual elections to elect officers to the MMEA Executive Board

 

Members of MMEA are encouraged to nominate a colleague or self-nominate for a board position. The nominating committee will review all nominations and engage potential candidates in conversations about responsibilities, expectations, and vision.

 

We are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive community in which participants and members of all backgrounds can access events, programs, services, and be treated fairly. Harassment, discrimination, prejudice, or bias in admission, employment, volunteering, or administration of its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, political affiliation, ancestry, or military service will not be tolerated.

 

Open Positions

In accordance with MMEA Bylaws: The following officers are elected in:

 

odd-numbered years: President-Elect; and component association presidents representing MCEA and MODA.

 

even-numbered years: Recording Secretary; Member-at-Large; and component association presidents representing MBDA, MGMTA, and MSMTE. 

 

Position Descriptions

  • MMEA President/President-Elect (six-year commitment): Facilitates Executive Board discussions that help shape the conferences and communicates the overall vision of the conferences. The President, with the Executive Council, sets the agenda for Board meetings and presides over the meetings. The President shares the leadership role with the President-Elect.

MMEA President-Elect: Assists the President with conference promotions and works collaboratively on planning and implementing association initiatives. Updates Board Book annually and chairs the Nominating Committee. Coordinates Annual Conference Happy Hour. Updates MMEA Strategic Plan every five years.

Requirements for MMEA President-Elect. A candidate for the office of MMEA President-Elect must have previously served as an elected or appointed officer of MMEA. No individual may serve as MMEA President for two consecutive terms, except as stated in Bylaw III, Section 7.

 

  • Recording Secretary (two-year commitment): Records the minutes of Executive Board meetings, edits them for accuracy, and presents them to the Executive Director and President. The Secretary is a full voting member of the Executive Board.

 

  • Member-At-Large (two-year commitment): Serves the board’s strategic needs as determined by the president at any given time. A member-at-large is a full voting member of the Executive Board.

 

  • Component President/President-Elect (six-year commitment): Heads the Component Board and coordinates the policies and procedures for state activities, conference sessions, and event conductors. The President coordinates the material for the All State handbook. The President, along with the President-Elect determine All State ensemble placement. The President also determines representatives on the component Board to include managers and committee heads.

 

Component President-Elect: Supports the component president. The President-Elect, along with the President, determines All State ensemble placement.
 

Policies and Procedures

  • MMEA Membership:

    • Nominators must be members of MMEA/NAfME.

    • Nominees must be members of MMEA/NAfME.

      • Upon accepting candidacy, the nominee agrees to maintain membership through the election and if selected, maintain membership through the commitment to the office. 

 

  • Committee:

    • The Nominating Committee will be comprised of the following individuals:

      • MMEA President

      • MMEA President-Elect

      • Either the President or President-Elect for the Components electing a President-Elect

      • MMEA Recording Secretary and Member-At-Large during the years which these positions are being elected 

      • At-Large representatives as appointed by the chair. 

    • Committee members must recuse themself if they plan to self-nominate. 

    • If a committee member is nominated by a colleague and are interested in the position, they must recuse themself from the committee. 

    • The committee must have an odd number of members and not to exceed eleven. 

    • In all voting matters of the committee, a simple majority shall prevail.

 

  • Recommended Slate of Candidates:

    • The Nominating Committee is charged with forming a recommended slate of candidates to be presented to the MMEA Executive Board for approval. 

    • The committee will review all nominations before selecting 3-4 nominees to interview per position. 

    • Interviews will be scheduled with select nominees to learn more about the individual, as well as facilitate an opportunity for the nominee to inquire about the position and responsibilities. 

    • No candidate will be run unopposed. 

    • No candidate may run for multiple positions simultaneously. 

    • Only two candidates will be recommended for each open position. 

    • In the event the Executive Board rejects the recommended slate, the Nominating Committee will reconsider all nominees. 

 

2023-2024 Nomination

 

MMEA is dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive community in which participants and members of all backgrounds can access events, programs, services, and be treated fairly. MMEA does not tolerate harassment, discrimination, prejudice, or bias in admission, employment, volunteering, or administration of it programs and activities on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, political affiliation, ancestry, or military service.

 

Thank you for nominating a peer or yourself for consideration to be a MMEA leader. Once submissions have closed, the nominating committee will review all nominations and reach out to select candidates with next steps. Questions regarding the Nominating Committee process may be directed to Amy Hairston, MMEA President-Elect, at ahairston.mcea@gmail.com

2023-2024 Timeline

  • October 4-25 - Nomination Window 

  • November & Early December - Committee review/interviews/board approval of slate

  • December 20 - Candidate slate announced to the public

  • January 29 - Feb 9 - Meet the Candidate Forums  

  • February 12 - March 13 - Membership Voting Window

  • Week of March 18 - Election Results Announced

2023-2024 Nominating Committee

  • Amy Hairston, MMEA President-Elect, Committee Chair (Montgomery County)

  • Jen Kauffman, MMEA President (Baltimore County)

  • Scott Engel, MBDA President-Elect (Washington County)

  • Stephanie Mayer-Sattin, MODA President-Elect (Montgomery County - Private School)

  • Gabriel Gray, MGMTA President-Elect (Charles County)

  • Kate Evans, MSMTE President-Elect (Towson University)

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