A similar version of this message originally appeared in the Fall 2026 edition of the Illinois Music Educator, published in August 2026.
Warmest Greetings, Music Educators!
Our ILMEA Volunteer Retreat in June was a needed opportunity to reflect and connect with our most dedicated, service-giving stakeholders. These fellow educators truly go above and beyond in facilitating auditions, festivals, professional development, and acting as a helpful and knowledgeable conduit of resources for their district and state. To listen to their thoughts and to offer a sincere “thank you” for all that they do for ILMEA was a highlight of my summer.
At the beginning of each school year, we take time with our students to explain both the rules of the school and the social norms expected in our classrooms. I always start my year with The Golden Rule: treat others the way you want to be treated. It may seem unnecessary to need to say this out loud in my classroom; isn’t The Golden Rule something that everyone just knows? But I say it because it’s important to reiterate the importance so that we can move forth toward our goals with empathy and kindness. Sometimes we get passionate/irritated/overwhelmed/hungry, and we fall short of this essential ethic. When this happens, we should apologize and resolve to try harder. Kindness and empathy are the “leg day” of a functioning and just society. And none of us should skip leg day.
When speaking with our volunteer leaders, connecting with our State Office, and traveling to festivals around our state throughout the year, I am disappointed to witness that a few of our music educators have completely forgotten about “leg day” and are sadly falling short of The Golden Rule. From unkind correspondences to an unwillingness to assist with programs to outright yelling in open meetings, not everyone has taken care to keep those kind, empathetic muscles strong.
When I ask volunteers why they are stepping down early from roles, I have heard too often “I just don’t want to be yelled at anymore” - and I get it. Twice last year I was personally witness to and recipient of yelling and verbal abuse in open meetings.
After each incident, I privately met with the impassioned participants to discuss why they made the choice to yell at and belittle an unpaid volunteer in a public forum. Grievances aired, the educators ultimately cited personal and work-related stresses that had nothing to do with ILMEA, as well as information they were frustrated to not have, even though that information was readily available on the ILMEA website or through a calm email to their representative.
Friends, the strength of ILMEA lies in our agreement to lift each other up in the shared goals of creating meaningful musical experiences for the students of Illinois. Absolutely no one should ever be subjected to hostility or a lack of professionalism at an ILMEA event (or anywhere) regardless of how frustrated a fellow music educator is. If we want ILMEA to thrive, those who volunteer and staff our organization need to feel that their efforts are supported and appreciated.
Before you write that frustrated email or decide that festival day needs some fireworks, here are some truths to consider:
Each volunteer in ILMEA is just as busy as you in their teaching career, if not moreso.
Despite being just as busy as you, these volunteers are taking their turn. Why? Because they care about music education. When you care, you take your turn.
In addition to these platter-sized day jobs, there will be full weeks and months this fall when these volunteers will sacrifice prep periods, lunch hours (okay, does anyone actually have a lunch hour? What’s that like?) and evenings or weekends home with family to help you and your students have an excellent experience.
Our State Office is comprised of consummate professionals with tasks and responsibilities that require attending to the needs of our entire state: the year-long preparation of IMEC and staying on top of decisions being made at our State Capitol that affect music education are just the surface of the logistics and advocacy that make ILMEA all that it is.
Most people would choose a kinder, less volatile route to communicating with their peers or their state organization’s professionals if they were sitting next to their superintendent. Or their mom. How would you move forward if that was the case? Or if they were copied on your email?
Let’s agree to set some positive social norms early in our festival season:
Start the season off by reaching out to your area representative. Introduce yourself, thank them for their volunteerism, and make yourself available to help with an aspect of the year that works for you (district festival help, large ensemble festival assistance, general logistics, advocacy - where do you feel most able to assist?). Many hands make light work for all and your representatives will truly appreciate your thoughtfulness.
Thoroughly read through your district and state correspondences (and check the ILMEA website!) to make sure you have the information you need for you and your students to positively participate in our year-long opportunities. Reach out to your fellow colleagues as well if you have a question that you have not been able to answer through the emails and our website.
Can’t find what you need? Contact your representative, thank them for their volunteerism, and ask your question.
Give your representative time to answer any questions you may have emailed. Remember, they’re just as busy as you.
Interact with the State Office with the understanding that they oversee the needs of nine districts and five thousand music educators, not to mention the myriad tasks of preparing for IMEC, creating professional development opportunities, writing our journal, overseeing all student programming, and advocating for local and state musical endeavors. And remember that they are people—really nice people—who are championing music education for all of us.
Start each correspondence with “thank you,” because that’s how you would like to be treated. We all want to feel appreciated in all that we do.
We have such a meaningful, precious opportunity to create and share the most wonderful thing - music - with our students and communities. We are drawn to this profession because we care deeply about this experience, and we make it our life’s work to share the joys and triumphs of the study and performance of music for as many people as we can encounter throughout our lives. We are all part of a wonderful union of like-minded, passionate people who understand the transformative power of music on our outlook, our goals, our lives.
Let’s remember why we’re here, let’s celebrate this opportunity to learn and share, and let’s continue to lift each other up in this good work.
All the best to you,
Stacy Williams-Jackson, President
Illinois Music Education Association
[email protected]