New Teacher Program Information

The NCMEA Mentoring Committee is actively seeking middle school choral directors to serve as mentors and mentees for the 2026-2027 school year.  The primary goal of the mentoring program is to identify and assist North Carolina music teachers in their first years of teaching.  

There is a great deal of flexibility for participants to tailor their involvement to the workload of a busy music educator.  NCMEA also offers financial support for program participants!  We hope the FAQ below will help you understand the benefits and expectations of the NCMEA Mentoring Program.

Program Requirements:

• Weekly check-ins between each mentor-mentee pair (can be via text, virtual, phone, or in person)

• Complete at least TWO Observations.  This can be a mentor observing a mentee or a mentee observing a mentor.  These can be conducted in person, via virtual meeting, or in informal settings where teaching videos can be reviewed together. These are NON-evaluative and purely supportive.  NCMEA offers financial support to reimburse mentors for mileage and hotel expenses and substitute teachers for in-person observation visits.

• Participate in the mentoring sessions during the NCMEA Music Educators Conference.  This year, NCMEA provides a $50 conference registration discount for mentors and mentees and an $80 reimbursement for mentors' hotel expenses for program participants.

• NCMEA will host supplementary webinars for new teachers to share ideas, collaborate, and network.  Participation is encouraged, but not required.

• Complete Program Evaluation Survey at the end of the school year.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: I’ve participated in the past as a mentor/mentee.  Do I need to sign up again?

A: YES!  This ensures we have the current information for all participants.  Even if you’re sure nothing has changed from previous sign-ups, complete the form for the 2026-2027 school year anyway.

Q: What if I teach in two content areas, such as band and choir?  Can I indicate a preference for the content area in which I have a mentor?

A: Yes.  One of the form entries allows you to indicate the content areas in which you teach and your preferred mentor area (e.g., band or choir). If you are teaching in a new-to-you subject area (for example, you’ve taught band for several years, but are now also teaching choir/orchestra), reach out to your district rep.  We want to support you, regardless of your experience level.

Q: How will mentor and mentee pairing take place?

A: Mentor-mentee pairing for the middle school choral section will be supervised by Beth Coldiron, a current middle school choral director.  She will collaborate with teachers in your district to make the best possible pairings within a region.  

Q: What are the mentoring sessions offered at the NCMEA Convention?

A: The NCMEA Convention is an important resource for all music educators.  We encourage Mentoring Program participants to attend these mentoring-specific sessions:

• MS Choral New Teacher Social on Saturday, November 7th – 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM

  • The new teacher social serves as a convenient face-to-face meeting point for new teachers to meet our middle school choral board and ask questions while they enjoy free snacks and appetizers!

• Mentoring Program Breakfast on Sunday, November 8th – 8:00 AM - 9:30 AM

  • The mentoring breakfast serves as a convenient face-to-face meeting point for our mentor-mentee pairs while they enjoy a free breakfast provided by our sponsor, Yamaha.

• Mentee Specific Session -- TBD 

  • This session will be a panel discussion led by 3-5 veteran teachers with representation from multiple content areas. 

Q: Is there financial support for Mentoring Program participants to attend the NCMEA Convention?

A: Yes.  There are four possibilities:

1. Mentoring program participants receive $50 off their NCMEA Convention registration fee.  You must use a special registration link, NOT the standard link available at the NCMEA website.  Matt Edwards (Mentoring Committee Co-Chair) or your district’s Mentoring Committee representative will provide you with the link after you complete the Mentor or Mentee registration form and are paired with another program participant.

2. Participating mentors (but not mentees) can get a reimbursement of $80 for NCMEA Convention hotel costs using the expense reimbursement form available at the mentoring program website.

3. ANY NCMEA member can apply for a professional development conference scholarship.  Click the link to learn more!  The application deadline is October 1.

4. Apply for one of the Middle School Choral Section’s membership scholarships! Click the link to learn more! The application deadline is _____.

Q: How do I apply for reimbursement for in-person mentoring observation expenses?

A: Keep your mileage and (if any) hotel receipts for your observation visits.  Download, complete, and submit an NCMEA Payment/Expense Reimbursement Request Form in Word or PDF.  More explanation is listed on the next page.  Beth Coldiron can also walk you through the form and submission process as needed.

Q: I’d like my administrators to know that I am participating in the Mentoring Program.  Is there official support to verify my participation?

A: Yes!  Beth Coldiron (MS Choral Chair) or Matt Edwards (Committee Chair) will provide a confirmation letter to your principal verifying your participation.  You can use this documentation as part of your end-of-year evaluation summaries, Professional Development Plans, or (if needed) to verify the need for mentors to access your building for in-person observations.

Q: I need to complete a reimbursement request for my observations and/or NCMEA lodging.  What do I need to know?

A: Download the NCMEA Payment/Expense Reimbursement Request Form in Word or PDF.  This is also known as  Form 201.  Click here for an example of a completed Form 201. Note that on the example form, one column is for NCMEA Convention hotel reimbursement, while the other two are for in-person observations.

Reminders:

• For in-person observations, you can be reimbursed for lodging, mileage, and sub coverage for your classroom.  List the sub-coverage expense next to Other.  Be sure to enter “Sub coverage” on the line next to Other.  You cannot be reimbursed for others' meals.

• For NCMEA Convention attendance, mentors (but not mentees) can be reimbursed a maximum of $80 for lodging.  Use the “Other” row to request the NCMEA hotel reimbursement.  This helps clarify that your request is for NCMEA hotel reimbursement and not for lodging during an observation.  Form 201 indicates a maximum of $130 per day, but that does not apply to our program.  You cannot be reimbursed from the Mentoring Program for mileage or sub coverage for attending NCMEA.

• You do not have to provide a receipt for mileage claims.  Confirm that your mileage is accurate using a tool like Google Maps or Apple Maps.

• You DO have to provide receipts for lodging or sub coverage claims.  Policies for paying for sub coverage can vary by LEA.  We recommend that you speak to your school’s lead secretary about getting documentation for your sub coverage cost.

• Submit your reimbursement request to NCMEA Executive Director Susan Heiserman.  Her email address and the NCMEA office mailing address are listed on Form 201.  Susan will contact the Mentoring Committee Chair, Matt Edwards, to confirm your participation in the program before a reimbursement check can be cut.

Q: What kind of leave should I use for in-person observations?

A: Speak with your administration early in the school year about using staff development leave for your in-person observations.  Staff development leave may be used quickly, as there is a limited amount available and it is spread across all staff at your school.  We want program participants to avoid using personal or sick leave for an observation.

Speak with your lead secretary about how to make the appropriate type of leave request within your LEA’s absence management protocols.  The leave options available may be confusing, and they will be your best resource to answer questions about that system.