The clinicians will present a descriptive study examining how elementary general music educators are represented within state conference programming. Building on conference content analyses and research on effective professional development, the session will explore elementary music teachers’ conference participation patterns, perceived barriers and supports, and professional learning priorities. The clinicians will discuss findings related to attendance frequency, presenter participation, funding and administrative support, travel constraints, programming relevance, and topic needs such as assessment, inclusion, culturally responsive teaching, social-emotional learning, classroom management, advocacy, technology, and repertoire/resources. Attention will also be given to how elementary general music educators’ teaching contexts, including serving all students, teaching across grade levels, and working across multiple sites, shape their professional development needs. The session will consider whether state music education conference offerings align with these realities and how professional organizations, planners, and teacher educators can design more equitable, relevant, and rigorous learning opportunities for elementary practitioners.
Target Audience
Elementary Music Teachers,
Additional Notes
Clinician Info
Jenny Gee
San Diego State University
Dr. Jennifer Gee is an Associate Professor of Elementary Music Education at San Diego State University. Gee has presented at the American Orff-Schulwerk Association National Conference, College Music Society National Conference, Desert Skies Symposium, International Society for Music Education World Conference, Mountain Lake Colloquium, National Association for Music Education Research Conference, and Symposium for Music Teacher Education. Her research has been published in the College Music Symposium, International Journal of Music Education, Journal of Education, Journal of Research in Music Education, Journal of Music Teacher Education, Update: Applications of Research in Music Education, and Visions of Research in Music Education.
Michelle McConkey
California State University Chico
Dr. Michelle S. McConkey, is an associate professor of music education at California State University in Chico, California. Michelle received her doctorate degree from Arizona State University in Music Education. She completed a Master of Music degree at Brigham Young University in Music Education where she co-conducted the University Chorale. Michelle also completed a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education from the Crane School of Music. She has completed Kodàly certification (levels I, II, and III), and has presented workshops and research sessions at various state and national conferences as well as local school districts.
Michelle’s research interest includes the health and wellness of undergraduate music education students, the relationship between music and the emotional development of children, and the music teacher’s role in that development as an emotional model. She is the author of Social Emotional Learning for the Pre-service and In-service Music Teacher: Your Wellbeing Matters.
Nora Hunter
California State University Chico
Originally from Lake Tahoe, California, Nora first came to Chico for college in 1997. While exploring interests such as Wilderness Emergency Medicine, she also deepened her love of music, which grew into a passion for teaching. She remained in Chico in the early 2000s to earn her Master’s Degree in Instrumental Conducting and Music Education, serving as Graduate Assistant to Chico State Bands and helping launch the Citrus Elementary Music Project and Children’s Choir of Chico.
In 2004, Nora moved to Mill Valley, where she taught music full-time and served as Associate Conductor for the Marin Symphony Youth Orchestra. She later worked with Throckmorton Theatre and Marin Youth Performers, conducting musicals, leading chamber music, and accompanying events.
After fourteen years in Mill Valley schools, Nora returned to Chico in 2018 with her husband and two children. She now brings her experience and enthusiasm to Chico Unified and Chico State.