OkMEA Election Information

Jonathon Knopfel, an Assistant Band Director with Mustang Public Schools, is currently in his 15th year of teaching. His prior instrumental teaching experience includes positions with Edmond Public Schools, Blackwell Public Schools, and Bartlesville Public Schools. He was honored as Madison Middle School (Bartlesville) Building Teacher of the Year in 2022 and Blackwell Public Schools District Teacher of the Year in 2015.

In addition to his teaching responsibilities, Knopfel is currently in his second year serving as the OkMEA Band Vice-President and has previously served on the OkMEA All-State Band Committee. He is also an active member of the Oklahoma Flute Society and maintains a flute studio where his students consistently excel in region honor band placements, all-state honor band placements, and solo competitions.

His professional affiliations include the Oklahoma Music Educators Association, National Association for Music Educators, Oklahoma Bandmasters Association, and Phi Beta Mu. Knopfel is a National Board Certified Teacher (2017), holds a Bachelor of Science (2007) and a Bachelor of Music Education (2011) from Oklahoma State University, and recently completed a Master of Education in School Administration (2025) from the University of Central Oklahoma.

Outside of teaching, Knopfel is the proud pet parent of two Scottish Terriers, Dallas and Wally.

As we move forward as an organization, advocacy for music education is more important than ever. We, as music educators, understand firsthand the many benefits music education provides our students. Music develops discipline, attention to detail, collaboration, creativity, and perseverance while providing students with a sense of belonging and the opportunity to experience the joy and fulfillment that comes from making music.

OkMEA has made significant strides in music education advocacy in recent years, but that work cannot stop. We must continue to advocate for the value of music education and ensure that music remains an integral part of a well-rounded education for Oklahoma students. As school districts across the state place an increasing emphasis on career pathways and preparing students for life beyond high school, along with changes to high school graduation requirements resulting from House Bill 3278 that removed the requirement of the high school Fine Arts credit, we have an important role in demonstrating how music education contributes to those goals. We must also help educate and equip music teachers across the state so that we can all become active grassroots advocates for the importance of music education. The skills students develop through participation in music- communication, collaboration, critical thinking, problem-solving, creativity, perseverance, and attention to detail- extend far beyond the music classroom.

Continuing advocacy at every level will be integral to the long-term sustainability of music education in Oklahoma. This starts by equipping music educators across the state with resources, including relevant data and guidance for communicating the need for music education at the grassroots level with local administrators, school boards, and policymakers. OkMEA is uniquely positioned to provide music educators with the resources, information, and support they need to become effective advocates within their own communities. Advocacy does not sit on one person’s shoulders; it is something that must be shared across the entire OkMEA membership to be effective.

OkMEA wears many hats: professional organization, student advocate, provider of professional development, supporter of music educators, and voice for music education across Oklahoma. By serving as a key lifeline for music educators across the state, we, in turn, improve the musical experience of every student who walks into a music classroom across Oklahoma. I believe we must continue strengthening each of these roles while ensuring that advocacy remains at the center of our work. By equipping educators with the tools, knowledge, and confidence to advocate for their programs and students, we can collectively ensure that music education remains strong, accessible, and valued in Oklahoma schools for generations to come.

Emily Funkhouser has been an elementary music educator in Putnam City Schools for twelve years. She is both Kodály and Orff certified and enjoys blending these approaches to create engaging, meaningful music experiences for her students.

Funkhouser earned her bachelor’s degree in music education from Southern Nazarene University in 2014, where she now serves as an adjunct instructor for Elementary Music Methods. She was named her site’s Teacher of the Year in 2016 and has served as Member-at-Large for the Oklahoma Kodály Chapter, Site Team Lead, and as Chair for Elementary Music in Putnam City Schools since 2019.

Funkhouser is passionate about creating quality inclusion where every student can participate and thrive. She also enjoys mentoring and hosting student teachers and helping future educators develop their own teaching practices. Above all, she strives to inspire a lifelong love and appreciation for music in every student she teaches.

Serving as Elementary Vice President, I would strive to be a strong voice and advocate for our music educator community. I believe in being a lifelong learner, and I value the opportunity to listen, learn, and grow alongside other educators. Throughout my career as a music educator, I have been fortunate to meet many inspiring and impactful colleagues who have challenged me, encouraged me, and strengthened my teaching practices.

In this role, I would work to facilitate meaningful opportunities for music educators to connect, collaborate, and grow professionally. I support the vision of OkMEA to advocate for music education, celebrate the accomplishments of Oklahoma educators, and help prepare and inspire the next generation of music educators.

Mentoring new music educators is a particular passion of mine. During my term, I would love to expand opportunities for beginning educators to connect with and learn from experienced music teachers. By fostering these relationships and creating a strong sense of community, we can ensure a strong future for music education in Oklahoma.

A native of Moore, Oklahoma, Shain Baldwin graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 2008 with a bachelor’s degree in instrumental music education. After graduating, he became the Director of Bands for Lindsay Public Schools. In 2014, he became the Middle School Director and High School Assistant Director for Shawnee Public Schools. Baldwin was named the Lindsay Public Schools 2014 District Teacher of the Year.

In 2018, Baldwin earned his master’s degree in music education with a secondary instrument emphasis of woodwind pedagogy from the University of Oklahoma. He is the Director of Music and Worship at St. Andrew’s Community United Methodist Church in Oklahoma City. Baldwin was a guest artist with the Oklahoma Summer Arts Institute Orchestra in 2014, performing as a saxophone soloist. In 2019, he was named an OkMEa Exemplary Middle School Teacher.

Currently, Baldwin is the Director of Bands at Highland West Junior High and Associate Band Director at Southmoore High School, in the Moore Public School District, and has served in that capacity since 2020. In 2023 he was named the Highland West Teacher of the Year and a Top 5 finalist for the Moore Public Schools District Teacher of the Year.

Baldwin resides in South Oklahoma City with his wife Erin, their sons Cooper and Brooks, daughter Addison and Stella, their dog. His hobbies include camping, hiking, traveling, playing baseball with his kids, spending time with his family, and making music. Professional memberships include OkMEA/NAfME, OBA, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Phi Beta Mu, and OMAA.

My vision for serving as the OkMEA Band Vice President is to continue the mission of advancing music education in the state of Oklahoma through professional development for both current and future educators, and providing quality musical experiences for students of all ages. I would like to connect pre-service teachers with directors from around the state to provide early mentorship and teaching opportunities and better connect new teachers with experienced teachers or retired teachers willing to serve as mentors. Through providing a variety of clinics at conferences, I hope to serve educators with learning opportunities that can help educators no matter their experience level or classroom setting. During the year, I would like to utilize the Take Note Newsletter to include articles from music educators around the state to share best practices from their classrooms. As the Band division Vice President, I can use my experience on the All-State band committee to support future all-state committees in providing an outstanding experience for the students in our state.