Mel Clayton

MENC President 2000-2002

BA	in Education, Eastern Washington University, Cheney, Washington
Master 	of Education, Eastern Washington University, Cheney, Washington
Received Administrative Credentials, Eastern Washington University
Taught 	at junior high, high school, and community college levels for 20 years

Directed high school and junior high bands, orchestras, and jazz ensemble, and

Jazz Studies at Community College

Served as high school assistant principal for 3 years,

as Fine Arts Supervisor for 11 years, and

as principal of summer school (all programs, K-12) for four years

Significant Personal Accomplishment:

Was coordinator of fine arts and director of K-12 summer school programs for the

Northshore School District in Spokane, near Seattle, Washington.

Thirty years in education include positions teaching at elementary though collegiate

levels.

As fine arts coordinator, supervised the development of arts education standards for the

Northshore School district.

Has served as president of the executive board of the Youth Symphony Orchestra in

Spokane, Washington,

president of the Washington Music Educators Association, 1990-1992, and president of MENC’s Northwest Division, 1995-1997,

Has been a member of the MENC National Executive Board and its finance committee

Continues to adjudicate and give clinics in marching band, jazz ensembles, concert band,

and orchestra

Honors:

Received Washington Music Educators Hall of Fame, and

Northwest Division of MENC Distinguished Service Award

Personal Biography:
Was born and raised in a very small town, Washington, 
	High school class of 35 students, 
After graduation from college, served as an officer in the Medical Service Corps of the 
	U.S. Army for three years
Married for 30 years with 2 children,
	Wife is an elementary school principal,
	Son is currently a music educator, and 
	Daughter is in last year of college as an elementary education major 
 

Interview questions:

Why want to be MENC president?

“I never wanted nor planned in any way to be MENC president. Through a natural course of positions and events, I was encouraged by my peers and mentors to continue pursuing new challenges through leadership positions. My focus and passion remains working with students, both in the instrumental music genre and in presentations to college age students re: music education as a career.”

What consider to be the greatest accomplishments and disappointments

during the term in office?

“Others will be much more qualified to judge me in the accomplishments area. I tried to put the focus of our profession and professional organization squarely toward the teachers and students in the classrooms throughout our country. If others feel that focus was real and successful, then that was my greatest accomplishment. 
The only thing which continues to disappoint me are those folks in our profession who seemingly have 'given up' or cannot keep their eyes on the big picture, but rather get dragged down spiritually and professionally by everyday challenges and changes. This observation alone keeps me committed to do whatever I can to help people accept challenges as opportunities for success rather than discouragement.”

Sources Used:

MENC Today, MEJ, May 1998

MENC Notes, Teaching Music, December 2002

Personal communication through e-mails in December 2002

Other Sources:

Reflections: thank you, Larry. Teaching Music, 8, Jun 2001, 6-7.

Reflections--focusing on success. Teaching Music, 9, Aug 2001, 6-7.

Mel Clayton: looking ahead (interview). Teaching Music, 7, Jun 2000, 12.

MENC needs good leaders. Teaching Music, 8, Aug 2000, 8-9.

Reflections: mentor leaders. Teaching Music, 8, Oct 2000, 8-9.

Reflections--a salute to small schools. Teaching Music, 8, Dec 2000, 8-9.

Reflections--future colleagues? Teaching Music, 8, Feb 2001, 8-9.

Reflections--Together, we are making a difference! Teaching Music, 8, Apr 2001, 8.

The candidates. (2000-2002 MENC President) Teaching Music, 5, Dec 1997, 17.