Every two years at the ISW of odd-number years KMEA elects a new President-Elect. That person then serves for two years as President-Elect, two years as President, and finally two years as Vice President, for a total rotation of six years on the KMEA Executive Council. Voting takes place in the KMEA Members site for current NAfME-KMEA members. Balloting will open Dec. 1, 2024 and close on Mar. 1, 2025 at 8:30 AM, with the result to be announced at the closing session of the ISW. Click on the photos below to read the bio and philosophy statement of each candidate.
2025 Candidates for President-Elect
 Megan Gabehart |
 Nancy Monical |
Megan Gabehart, Girard
Offices Held
SEKMEA Vice-President 2023-25
SEKMEA President 2021-23
SEKMEA President-Elect 2019-21
SEKMEA Elementary Choir Chair 2017-19
SEKMEA President 2021-23
SEKMEA President-Elect 2019-21
SEKMEA Elementary Choir Chair 2017-19
Candidate Bio
Megan Gabehart is the district music department chair for USD 506 Labette County and K-8 band and vocal music teacher at Meadow View Grade School. She is currently in her 21st year teaching public school music, and her 14th year at Meadow View. She has taught classes from pre-school to college age in both Kansas and Oklahoma and has served throughout Kansas as a clinician and adjudicator. She regularly serves as Director and Music Director for Pittsburg Community Theatre in Pittsburg, KS, of which she is also a board member and secretary. She served for many years as the principal bassoon with the Southeast Kansas Symphony Orchestra.She received her Bachelor of Music Education (Instrumental) and her Masters in Music (Wind Conducting) from Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, KS, where she studied conducting under Dr. Craig Fuchs. Megan is happily married to her husband of 21 years, Gerad, and they are the proud parents of 17-year-old Spencer and 14-year-old Isabel.
Philosophy Statement
Throughout my teaching experiences, I have been fortunate enough to work with a diverse group of students from many ages, races, socio-economic backgrounds and abilities. My goal in teaching, regardless of these factors, has always been to give my students the opportunities and resources they need to develop into mature, considerate, productive citizens. I hope my students feel loved, respected, and protected when entering my classroom, so that they can grow and learn. I want to connect with my students and help them become the best they can be, and I get to do that using a subject that I feel passionately about, and that can reach them in a way no other subject can. I strive to promote a love and appreciation of music in all my students, because I feel music is vital to our culture and society. A profession in music may not be the ultimate goal for all of my students, but regardless of their career path, everyone can make music a part of their life. I want to be a part of a music program that my school and community are proud of, where my students can feel successful and included.