"No dumbbells".

As an Alabama native who grew up in the '60s and '70s, I have a fond regard for the life of Paul "Bear" Bryant, one, if not the best, of college football's all-time great coaches. He led the University of Alabama Crimson Tide to five national championships and amassed an amazing record of 323 victories during his tenure at Kentucky, Texas A & M and Alabama. Over the years, he coached a number of star players, perhaps the most famous being Joe Namath.

At one of Bear's squad meetings, he told his players, "This is a class operation. I want your shoes to be shined. I want you to have a tie on, get your hair cut and keep a crease in your pants. I also want you to go to class. I don't want no dumbbells on this team. If there is a dumbbell in the room, I wish he would stand up."

Namath immediately rose to his feet. The Bear looked over at him, puzzled. "Joe, how come you're standing up? You ain't dumb." With a crooked little grin, Joe replied, "Coach, I just hate like the devil for you to be standing up there by yourself."

I believe this humorous story has particular relevance to a music teacher organization like MTNA. How so? In the vernacular of Bear Bryant; "Teaching music is a class profession. And MTNA don't want no dumbbells in the music teaching profession." For that reason, education, especially continuing education of established music teachers, is one of the most valuable benefits MTNA provides for the music teaching professional.

Continuing education is a legitimate role for MTNA to assume because we believe that formal education at the college level is not the end but only the beginning of a professional's education. There is much to be learned after a music teacher gets a degree, and that's where MTNA comes in.

MTNA recognizes that such activities as conferences, seminars, publications such as the American Music Teacher, certification, and other associated materials and activities are principle means for us to influence our members in particular and the music teaching profession as a whole in how to be successful as a professional. It is through these means that we assist music teachers in keeping up to date on developments in their primary field as well as in the music industry as a whole.

MTNA's flagship publication is American Music Teacher. This bimonthly award-winning magazine features teacher-oriented articles, reviews, and association news. Of particular importance is the fact that AMT is a refereed journal, utilizing a peer-review process in determining its content. Only the best of the best is selected. It is the best source for written content in the music teaching field today.

During the 2007-08 membership year, MTNA will remain committed to developing and implementing innovative approaches in the continuing education and in-service training of music teachers. And as the professional competence of our members increases, the educational and musical experiences of the students, young and old alike, will be enhanced.

In conclusion, it was another great coach, the UCLA basketball legend John Wooden, who articulated one of the most cogent aphorisms for the necessity of continuing education you will ever hear: "It's what you learn after you know it all that counts." During the coming year, I hope you will take advantage of the educational benefits and opportunities provided by MTNA, your professional association.

Gary L. Ingle 

Executive Director