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 Mr. Lea began his music career as a student at Longfellow Elementary School. There he learned to play trumpet for the first time and played for the King of Sweden when he visited Columbia.
At Harper’s Choice Middle School he continued to refine his trumpet playing skills and experimented with other instruments. In 7th grade Mr. Lea first considered a career in teaching music.
At Centennial High School, Mr. Lea participated in every possible band opportunity, including Marching Band (as drum major), Pep Band (as director), Jazz Band, Musicals, Solo & Ensemble, All-State Band and All-State Orchestra. He also attended the National Music Camp at Interlochen, Michigan for two summers during high school.
Mr. Lea attended the University of Michigan and received his Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education. An incredible number of outstanding musical and educational experiences there prepared him for his career as a music teacher.
Mr. Lea’s formal teaching career began in 1988 at Harper’s Choice Middle School. He enjoyed working with many of his former teachers and was happy to be home in Columbia again. During his tenure with the Howard County Public School System, he has taught at Cedar Lane School’s summer program, Dasher Green Elementary (now Cradlerock), Stevens Forest Elementary, and Hammond Elementary.
In 1994, Mr. Lea received an M.S. from the Johns Hopkins University in School Guidance & Counseling and added the guidance counselor endorsement to his MD State certificate. In 2008, he returned to Hopkins and earned a Graduate Certificate in School Administration & Supervision along with a cohort of teachers from Howard County. After successfully completing The School Leaders Licensure Assessment, the Administrator II endorsement was added to his MD certificate, qualifying him to serve as a principal. Mr. Lea is currently certified in the State of Maryland in music, guidance, and school administration from Kindergarten through 12th grade.
In 2007, Mr. Lea achieved National Board Certification in the area of Early-Middle Childhood Music. This credential comes from an organization whose mission is to motivate teachers to meet rigorous teaching standards and to reach the highest level of professionalism possible. The National Board for Professional Teaching Standard's motto is "Better Teaching, Better Learning, Better Schools." Mr. Lea is the only music teacher in Howard County with this credential, and one of about 20 in the state. Nationwide, there are approximately 74,000 teachers who have achieved National Board Certification in various subject areas.
In 2009, Mr. Lea was appointed National University’s National Board Certification Liaison for Maryland. He initiated bringing National University’s Master of Arts in Teaching (with National Board Certification focus) to Maryland. He is an Adjunct Faculty Member and teaches graduate students both online and in person. As State Liaison, Mr. Lea is also responsible for coordinating the program and launching new cohorts, which are available to teachers working at all levels and in all subject areas.
Apart from his educational pursuits, Mr. Lea also enjoys his family, his friends, traveling, oil painting and art collecting. Exciting summer activities include driving across the country, living at the beach, and living in New York City.
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