Teacher Education
The Orff system of teaching requires on-going professional development beyond a college degree. Level I, Level II, Level III, and Master Level Orff-Schulwerk Teacher Education is highly recommended. Even a music specialist with many years of experience is still a work in progress.
Orff Level Certification Education
Each year, the University of Nevada, Las Vegas hosts Orff Certification Education Courses for both local and guest teachers. Most CCSD teachers not only hold Nevada music licenses, but also have obtained these special classes. Music teachers are life-long learners.
Orff Certification teacher educators have included many master teachers over the years. Among these local leaders are the following: Cathy Ameling, Doug Bowser, Debbie Cenna, Rossana Cota, Randy DeLelles, Gloria Fuoco-Lawson, Jeff Kriske, Kay Lehto, Karen Medley, Sue Mueller, and Jennifer Prestridge. June Eshelman has also contributed her organizational expertise and Sue Mueller, School of Music Director at UNLV, has assisted in the enthusiastic planning of the Orff-Schulwerk Teacher Education courses.
Founding of Nevada’s Desert-Valley Orff Chapter
In the United States, there were many cities that had local chapters that are part of the American Orff-Schulwerk Association. Many of the teachers from out-of-state had belonged to and benefited from these groups. In the fall of 1979, Gloria Fuoco-Lawson contacted the American Orff-Schulwerk Association leader, Ruth Hamm, and requested information about forming an Orff Chapter in Las Vegas. Gloria hosted a meeting at her home and the teachers formed the Nevada’s Desert-Valley Chapter. At that same meeting, Randy DeLelles and Gloria Fuoco-Lawson were elected the first co-presidents. To this day, this Orff Chapter provides invaluable staff development, support, and a communication system among the Las Vegas Orff teachers.
Five years later in 1984, with only 35 teacher members, Las Vegas’ new Orff Chapter hosted the National Conference of the American Orff-Schulwerk Association.
Doris French Elementary students with their teacher, Gloria Fuoco-Lawson, presented the opening performance of “The Giving Tree.” The students of George E. Harris Elementary performed the premiere musical arrangement named “The Princeless Princess” at the business meeting. This musical had been written by Randy DeLelles and Jeff Kriske.
Jeff Kriske also remembers setting up the castle after the Don Rickles’ show that evening. The stage hands all asked what was happening. When they heard it was a children’s performance they added lights to the props. When the curtain opened the following morning, the set received a round of applause. Written memories by Jeff Kriske, June, 2014
American Orff-Schulwerk Association Leadership
Many of our Las Vegas teachers have served on the board of the American Orff-Schulwerk Association and as Conference Chairs of this organization. Gloria Fuoco-Lawson, Rhonda Greeson, Kay Lehto, Karen Medley, and Doug Wilson have served as National Conference Chairs and other official positions on the Board. Sue Mueller also has served as both President of the organization and as a National Conference Chair.
Professional Development for Arts Educators Grant (PDAE)
In 2012, the Clark County School District was awarded a Department of Education Grant to acquaint teachers with the strategies and techniques of arts integration. Kathryn Skjei, a visual art specialist, was appointed as the project facilitator responsible for the implementation of this three-year federal project. Teams of classroom, visual arts, and music teachers from each volunteer school were provided with 60 hours of professional development and wrote six arts integrated units. This grant also provided for three summer institutes to educate 250 teachers in arts integration through English Language Arts, Math, Visual Arts, and Music.
Teacher Leader Development Meetings
The development of teacher leaders was a high priority for several years. Professional development for festival chairs, Nevada’s Desert-Valley Orff Chapter board members, and staff development presenters was offered in half-day sessions at the House of Blues, the World Market Center, and The Smith Center to strengthen leadership skills, provide encouragement and build departmental unity. These sessions brought together not only music, but also visual arts leadership.
National Board Certified Teachers
These highly accomplished educators have gone through a rigorous, self-reflective, year-long process. This includes developing musicianship and description/analysis of accomplishments and how it impacts student learning.
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We celebrate the accomplishments of the following music specialists who have earned this award:
Cathy Ameling, Judy Behnke, Connie Beisner-Warling, Doug Bowser, Amy Brown, Buddy Collier, Susan DeHart, Gloria Fuoco-Lawson, Emily Garrett, Liz Goodman, Sue Loser, Martin Marsh, Catherine McCann, Carol Meckstroth, Adam Schultheis, and Cassie Steitle-Barnes.