Certification
The MTNA Professional Certification Program exists to improve the level of professionalism within the field of music teaching. It benefits the members of the profession itself, as well as the public who interacts with the professional. For the music teaching professional, certification provides prestige, recognition and the potential for student recruitment and increased earning power. For the public, certification helps readily identify competent music teachers in their communities.
Find a Certified Teacher Near You
The program is based upon a set of five standards defining what a competent music teacher should know and be able to do. Upon fulfillment of these standards, applicants are granted the MTNA Professional Certification credential with the designation, Nationally Certified Teacher of Music (NCTM). All music teachers actively engaged in the profession are eligible for MTNA Professional Certification.
To learn more about the two-step process to becoming certified and to download a certification packet, visit mtnacertification.org.
Why be Nationally Certified?
Spring Seals, NCTM 2014 (Fort Worth MTA)
| As the director of certification for TMTA, I enjoy guiding others through the certification process and helping them achieve recognition through National Certification. Certification validates piano teaching as a profession and shows your students and parents of your students that you are well-qualified to teach. I believe that we need to demonstrate professionalism if we expect to be treated as professionals. Certification is a big step toward demonstrating professionalism. |
Michael Clark, NCTM 2018 (Forum MTA)
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Would I visit a dentist that wasn't certified and licensed by the appropriate authorities? Never. I don't know much about dentistry, but I know that I want someone with the right knowledge and skills looking at my teeth. Certification from the American Dental Association guarantees this. Why should music lessons be any different? Becoming a Nationally Certified Teacher of Music shows my community that I'm a dedicated and qualified professional before they ever come in for an interview. As more of us become certified, we can reshape the way society views our profession and ensure that high-quality music education continues to reach more people.
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Jessica Welsh, NCTM, 2018 (Dallas MTA)
| Receiving my NCTM was an important career step for me for two reasons. First, it allowed me to put my academic knowledge to the test, so to speak, and apply my education to extremely practical, real-life scenarios. This process led me to think deeply about my why behind my project submissions and analyses, as well as self-reflect on my teaching in meaningful, constructive ways. Secondly, my certification serves as a signifier to my students, their families, my local association, and my colleagues that I am committed to professional development and continual growth for the long haul! As a young teacher, I am grateful MTNA provides such a wonderful opportunity for teachers to further their education and affirm their commitment to effective pedagogy. |  |
Lauren Gonzales, NCTM 2018 (Abilene MTA)
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National certification is a defining achievement to me as a young instructor. I feel that it is the natural goal of a teacher who wishes to distinguish themselves in a competitive private lesson market. |
Leah Matocha, NCTM 2017 (Victoria MTA)
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Working toward and achieving national certification was a personal goal of mine. I have always been one to search out and accept challenges to continue learning. I taught public elementary music for 21 years and enjoyed it thoroughly. It wasn’t until I was moved to high school to teach group piano that I realized my true passion was teaching piano! As I retired from public school teaching and moved toward having my own piano studio, I became aware of the certification program. Teaching group piano had only whetted my appetite for continuing to grow in learning the process of teaching piano. Working toward certification in the early stages of getting my studio going made me think about what I value in teaching, my policy, the setup of my studio, and the use of manipulatives or creative approaches to teaching concepts. It is important to me to promote the professionalism of the piano teaching career. Certification helps the general public to see there are standards set to raise the bar for piano teachers. I get so excited (and a little daunted) as I continue to see all the possibilities for creativity in this profession. I’ll never arrive at my destination; it’s a journey. I’ve always liked the quote from the movie August Rush, “Never give up on your music.” |
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Stephen Hughes, NCTM 2017 (Mesquite MTA)
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To quote Einstein: “Education is what remains after one has forgotten what one has learned in school”. The pursuit of knowledge and passion to teach piano professionally is something that should always be on the forefront of our thoughts and minds. Even after 30+ years of piano study & performance, along with 10+ years of teaching & business ownership experience, I wanted to pursue certification for a number of reasons: Increase awareness of my own teaching style; Understand my students & parents better; Highlight my weaknesses and convert them to strengths; Exemplify professionalism on all levels; Achieve the standard that MTNA has set for excellence in our field.
Becoming certified should be a goal all piano & music teachers strive for. Continuing to strive for excellence in teaching & professionalism beyond certification is now my lifetime pursuit.
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Joshua Green, NCTM 2016 (Arlington MTA)
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Becoming a Nationally Certified Teacher of Music has been an important aspect of my professional life in that it is yet another opportunity to examine myself as a musician and educator. The certification standards provide a thorough list of vital skills and qualities that ought to be evident in every effective independent music educator. The recognition of having met these national standards shows our colleagues and the community which we serve a continued commitment to excellence in the field of independent music teaching. |
Diana Lopez, NCTM 2016 (Katy MTA)
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I am a life-long learner. I love to learn. When I retired as a music teacher in the public schools and decided to open my piano studio, I realized I had much to learn about teaching piano. The MTNA Certification Program was a vehicle I used to review and reaffirm all I had learned as a Music Major. It also gave me much needed guidance in setting up my studio from my policy, to curriculum planning, to the actual physical set up of my studio! I am still learning. This certification requires that I continue to stay involved in my organization and that I should be continually honing my skills as an instructor of piano. For me, this means I am always striving to be the best instructor of piano I can be for my students. To quote Zoltan Kodaly, “ only the best is good enough for a child”. |
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Texas Certified Teachers (as of August 1, 2018)
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Abraham, Peggy Adams, Elisa Aguilar, Pablo Ajero, Mario P. Alexander, Sarah J. Allison, Brian Anderson, Shirley J . Andrus, Amy Anthony, Linda Anthony, Patricia Aparicio, Dorla P. Ash, Jessie E. Bailey, Kara Bain, Carolyn Bankston, Melanie Baxter, Elizabeth Bearden, Laura Beck, Ethelyn Beck, Reva Jean Bennett, Ronald Bennight, Mildred Behringer, Patrick M. Bethel-Baldwin, Lynn Reedy Biggs, Nicole E. Boening, Shirley Kay Borchardt, Christine Rode Bradford, Mary Pinkey Brahinsky, April A. Bratcher, Lydia McCall Brewer, Adeline Brothers, Lillian Margaret Buchanan, Martha Burns, Mary Butler, Roselle Buttles, Judy Cannon, Andrea R. Carrell, Theresa J. Charles, Elaine Chee, Ann-Ping Christensen, Lora Lynn Clark, Michael Clarkson-Braswell, Martha Collins, A J Collins, Katherine Conner, Susan Copeland, Nancy Crappell, Courtney Crawford, Teresa Lee Crisp, Carol Cusenbary, Susan Davidson, Sandra Fulmer Davis, Mary W. Davis, Melody Talbert Davis, Shelly A. Dillon, Cari Meador Docusen, Melody May Wan Wong Domasco, Carol Donald, L. Scott Driver, Nancy Duncan, Christine Dyer, Diana Ellis, Cindy Eustace, Natalie Finley, Joy S. Fisher, Ileaine Foreman, Jan M. Fountain, Richard D. Fox, Martha Lea Frock, Scott J. Frush, Sherry P. Fung, Serenity Gameiro, Doris S. Gauger, Jan Geffen, Susan R. Gilmore, Amanda Roberts Gipson, Ann Milliman Glenn, Jr. Wilford E. Gonzales, Lauren Gossett, Ellen M. Granados De La Pena, Omar Gray, Kathleen Gray, Vicki Green, Joshua Green, Marsha Kay Greene, Jeannine Griffin, Ruth Ann Grossman, Natalie Gurley, Carolyn Gutierrez, Elizabeth C.
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Hadfield, Debra S. Halbert, Mildred T. Hall, Nancy Kay Hallbauer, Celinda Ham, Donna Harder, Lauren K. Harms Doggett, Veronika Harris, Cheryl Nugent Hehn, Tena Wahrmund Heil, Mihee Kim Hesse, Shannon E. Hill, Shryle A. Hilley, Martha Hines, Betsy Hoffman, Jo Ann Holland, Samuel S. Holmes, Ruth Jane Hong, Susan Horton, Shearon Smith Hsiao, Julia T. Hughes, Holly E. Hughes, Stephen Hunt, Madge Ince, Laurel Johns, Luanne E. Kaldor, Dianne L. Kelly, Daniel Kendrick, Cheryl L. Kern, Robert Fred Kettula, Angelina Key, Frances Kinkler, Lucille Kirkpatrick, Dorothy L. Kitzmiller, Jill A. Klueva, Yulia Kramer, Mina Krystofiak, Paul LaCour, Mary Ann W. Landreth, Rebecca Landrum, Kristen Lee Hing, Amanda Leondar, June M Lien, Karen Lindemulder, Laurie Long, Priscilla Lopez, Diana Lowry, Kay L. Lum-Meyer, Doris MacDonald, Martha Frances Marek, Olga A. Marshall, Cheryl J. Masinter, Thomas Matocha, Leah May, Rebecca Shrum McAllister, Lesley Sisterhen McAtee, Jennifer A. McBee, Karen McBrayer, Philelle McClenahan, Sandy McDonald, Laura McDonald, Pat R. McInroy, Valerie L. Mellenbruch, Judith Meneses-Reus, Zelda Faye Merritt, Debra E. Merritt, Mae Michie, Juliana H. Miller, Margaret Miller, Sara Monaghan, Carolyn Moore, Elizabeth Morrow, Diane Morrow, Ruth Moutos, Joy Muelschen, Jean C. Munson, Karen L. Naismith, Beverly M. Nassiri, Joan Wipf Neel, Kristin Novak, Jennifer J. Nunn, Mary O'Dell, Glenna O'Dell, Julia L. Oekerman, Rebecca
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Panasik, Beverly J. Parsons, Karen McNeill Payne, Robbie W. Peterson, Carol S. Pitts, Ruth L. Porter, Nanna W. Potts, Cherry Harvey Power, Eilene Proehl, Blake Puckett, Lauren Rathnau, Heather Reed, Karen Reinhuber, Joachim Rhine, Deborah J. Rippe, Marolyn J. Robbins, Mary Roberts, Martha Blair Robinson, Sharon Rosemond, Madeleine C. Rosenberger, Kyla K. Ruediger, Laura Russell, Alecia R. Safi, Charlotte Santorelli, Shari Eve Schlaudt, Janelle Schoellman, Ana M. Seale, Laura G. Seals, Spring Shank, Dean Sharply, Geraldine Shih-Foreman, Be-Fong Showalter, Jeanette Shull, Manuela B. Sicard, Minette M. Skovorodina, Natalia Smith, Dorothy Menke Snodgrass, Sylvia H. Southard, Athalie A. Speelman, Sheryl Springer, Lorene Steinbauer, Robert Swain, Diane Swaizey, Peggy R. Tamagawa, Kiyoshi Taylor, Lisa Taylor, Lyndol Taylor, Sylvia Tetreault, Catherine Thomas, Lisa Cheryl Toudouze, Sara True, Carolyn Tserng, Mei Na Tsui, Alice Yim Tyrer-Ferraro, Polly Ann Utermark, Rebecca Van Cleave, Sharla J. Vanatta, Libby VanDerbur, Janice L. Villegas, Jose Vinarskai, Donna Vitek, Alison Vosburg, Erica J. Wagnon, Theresa Wallace, Crystal Wallace, Elizabeth Wang, Hsinyi Warren, Andrea Stennett Wells, Margaret Wells, Thomas Welsh, Jessica Wester, R. Glen Whitaker, Colby Wilkins, Judy K. Wilson, Echo Wright, Etta Jean Wu, Yuk Yee Wylie, Roy Yeomans, David Young, Florence |