Chelmsford Fine Arts Teacher Named Editor Of MA Music Publication

CHELMSFORD, MA —Christy Whittlesey, the coordinator of K-12 Fine and Performing Arts at Chelmsford Public Schools, has been named as the publications editor at the Massachusetts Music Educators Association (MMEA), the district announced Tuesday.

Whittlesey, who will remain in her role with Chelmsford Public Schools, will oversee all content and publishing for the Massachusetts Music Educators Journal, a quarterly publication that covers all elements of music education in Massachusetts.

The publication, which reaches 13,000 readers, is available to K-12 music educators, high school and college music students and other stakeholders, according to the MMEA.

Whittlesey, who previously contributed several articles to the MME Journal, spoke about some of her plans for the publication.

"One of my goals is to make the Journal more interactive with different viewing platforms and embedded live links," Whittlesey said. "I would also like more voices to be heard and more people to contribute."

Whittlesey added: "I'll be working with the editorial board to represent every part of music education. The (Journal) is a nice tool for the membership to use and to learn about new pedagogical approaches."

In addition to her connection to the Journal, Whittlesey has served as a clerk on the MMEA Executive Board and been a conference coordinator and presenter at the MMEA Annual Conference.

Whittlesey has a Ph.D. in educational research and evaluation from UMass Lowell, she earned an undergraduate degree in music from Berklee College and received her master's in music education from Boston University.

Additionally, Whittlesey is the author of "It's OK to Say They" and "The Beginner's Guide to Being a Trans Ally," and, according to the school district, she is a sought-after speaker on transgender issues.

Whittlesey came to Chelmsford Public Schools in 2013 and is in her 13th year as the district's coordinator of K-12 Fine and Performing Arts.