Session Proposals

Dr. Raiber has enjoyed 13 years teaching public school in Missouri and Oklahoma prior to 25 years in collegiate ensemble leadership and music teacher education at Oklahoma State University, The University of Oklahoma, and Oklahoma City University. Raiber has also served as the Director of Teacher Support and conductor of Orquesta Esperanza at El Sistema Oklahoma. In 2019, Dr. Raiber opened Mustang Central Middle School in Mustang Oklahoma as an instrumental music educator. In 2022, he accepted his current position as Director of Fine Arts for Mustang Public Schools.

Dr. Raiber has presented at conferences nationally and internationally on topics ranging from
music teacher identity to student leadership development. His most recent publications include a chapter on large ensemble leadership as youth development in Music Learning as Youth Development (2019). He also authored a chapter on developing effective dispositions for music teaching in the New Oxford Handbook on Music Teacher Education (2019). In 2022, the second edition of his - along with his co-author Dr. David Teachout - popular introduction to music education text, From Music Student to Music Teacher: A Professional Approach was published. Dr. Raiber was honored to be inducted to the Oklahoma Bandmasters Association Hall of Fame in 2021 and the Oklahoma Music Education Association Hall of Fame in 2025.

Dr. Raiber received his Bachelor of Music Education and Master of Music Education degrees
from the University of Tulsa and his Ph.D. in music education with an emphasis in conducting
from the University of Oklahoma. He currently resides in Norman, Oklahoma with his wife Lisa and enjoys all the time he can with his grandchildren Theo, Eliza, Murphy, and Georgia.

In the dynamic world of music education, success hinges on striking a delicate balance between artistic mastery and effective teaching. This session will explore the multifaceted role of music educators and how they can maximize their impact on students' lives. We will unpack the concepts of "educatorship," and "teacher well-being" examining their significance in music instruction, while also addressing the daily challenges that music educators face in public schools.

As we navigate the minute-by-minute realities of teaching, we will delve into the importance of understanding how every interaction with a student shapes both their learning experience and our own development as educators. A key focus will be on identifying and leveraging the factors within our control to enhance the quality of these interactions. While we cannot always dictate how these moments unfold, we can influence their outcomes through our actions and intentions.

Throughout this interactive session, participants will explore practical approaches designed to enrich their music teaching journeys. Together, we will seek to answer the pivotal question: "Why do I keep doing this?" Join us as we discover how to transform each day in the classroom into a masterpiece of education and artistry, ultimately fostering meaningful connections with our students.

• Lower Elementary (Grades PreK-2)
• Upper Elementary/General Music (Grades 3-5)
• Band - Middle School
• Band - Secondary
• Choral - Middle School
• Choral - Secondary
• Orchestra - Middle School
• Orchestra - Secondary
• Collegiate