What a Nationally Certified Teacher of Music (NCTM)
Should Know and Be Able to Do


© Copyright 2004 MTNA Certification Program


Standard I: Professional Preparation

  1. Knowing and Performing Music

    2. Competent music teachers possess a significant understanding of and facility on their performing instrument(s). They demonstrate a specialized knowledge in a performance area as they provide students with comprehensive, sequential instruction. They have substantial knowledge of music theory, music history/literature, and pedagogy/teacher education.

  2. Knowing and Understanding Students

    3. Competent music teachers have knowledge and understanding of students’ physical, social and cognitive growth and past musical experiences. They assimilate this knowledge to develop a course of study and to prepare instruction that meets the needs of each student while cultivating positive and productive relationships.

Standard II: Professional Teaching Practice

  1. Planning Courses of Study

    2. Competent music teachers plan courses of study for their students on a regular basis using a wide range of music, musical concepts and materials.

  2. Facilitating Music Learning

    3. Competent music teachers foster students’ interest and facilitate their musical learning by using a variety of resources, equipment, technology, materials, methods, music and teaching styles and strategies.

  3. Fostering an Educational Environment

    4. Competent music teachers provide and cultivate settings that are conducive to learning and performance, and that are inclusive of students and families from varied backgrounds, cultures and capabilities. They provide settings for a course of study that encourage student confidence, independence, teamwork and high achievement.

  4. Assessing Musical Growth

    5. Competent music teachers utilize multiple evaluation methods regularly to assess and convey the progress of students' musical growth and performance, and to gather data for planning subsequent courses of study.

Standard III: Professional Business Management

Competent music teachers demonstrate an understanding and application of basic professional and ethical business practices in their studio and classroom management. These practices include establishing operational and financial policies.

Standard IV: Professionalism and Partnerships

  1. Contributing to the Profession

    2. Competent music teachers contribute to the professional growth of their colleagues, their studios and schools, their professional associations and to their profession at large.

  2. Building Partnerships

    3. Competent music teachers understand and appreciate the unique position that the family unit, colleagues, and the community play in the musical education of students. They actively seek opportunities to build and nurture partnerships with them.

Standard V: Professional and Personal Renewal

  1. Evaluating Professional Growth

    2. Competent music teachers continually evaluate their personal teaching philosophy. They regularly assess their teaching and their professional growth to expand their knowledge and improve their teaching.

  2. Continuing Education

    3. Competent music teachers enhance their understanding of current pedagogical materials and methods, technology and business management through continuing education.