The NEKMEA is a goal many teachers strive for and is often a rare achievement. In addition to Mrs. McLeland teaching at WRMS, she also teaches at elementary schools, which is how she received the NEKMEA award. The NEKMEA (North Eastern Kansas Music Educators Association) award is an award that honors devoted teachers like McLeland.
In addition to Mrs. McLeland teaching at WRMS, she also teaches at elementary schools, which is how she received the NEKMEA award. The NEKMEA (North Eastern Kansas Music Educators Association) award is an award that honors devoted teachers like McLeland. McLeland is grateful for the award. “I’m humbled because there are lots of great orchestra teachers in the northeast district of Kansas, and any one of them is well deserving.”
Blake Harader, an eighth grader on the HEAT team, acknowledges McLeland’s gift in teaching. Harader admires McLeland and her ways of teaching. “She’s really good with kids, and she is really good at teaching.” Harader plays the cello in the eighth-grade orchestra.
Elle Pereira, a seventh grader, enjoys playing in the orchestra. Pereira plans to play in the orchestra throughout 8th grade. “Yes, because I love playing violin. It’s my passion.”
Overall, the NEKMEA award is an accomplishment that shows how devoted McLeland is and how hard she is working to change the lives of young Orchestra students.
