This past year has been a year with ups and downs, twists and turns, consonance and dissonance and despite all of the emotions and confusions I am truly doing what I love in the state I love. Teaching music has saved my life; I know that seems like a dramatic statement, but it is true. Without it and my students, all of them, good and not so good, I don't know where I'd be. The institution of education is not perfect and neither am I but what it has given me over the years is pretty close. My students, whether with Wayne Local Schools, the Dayton Boys Choir or Lee Academy, have shown me so much about teaching, learning, life and myself. My students back home continue to amaze me and make me proud even though we are 1200 miles apart. I am so blessed to have been a part of their lives. Although Lee Academy has begun to show me more of its colors I desperately desire to assist in ushering in a new era here (hopefully I can stick out living in the dorms that long). I have already witnessed that my students need to experience joy and I think, if they can stick with me and music, they will. It is wonderful to watch all of our individual stories woven together to create each piece of music we perform. The music I have performed with my students over the years may not have won medals and accolades but it sure was a unique experience that we all shared. I really think the title of Carole King's album Tapestry accurately represents what music making is because songs are much like tapestries, each little piece getting woven together to create something beautiful, and hey, let's be honest, sometimes not so beautiful. In the words of Hans Christian Andersen, "When words fail, music speaks." I know I have been able to tell stories through music that I would otherwise have been unable to tell. I hope my students can learn to look at music that way as well.
While I know I can't carve out an existence in my dorm room at Lee Academy forever I really want to make my mark on this school. With every new day I gain more insight on Lee Academy and it's those pieces of information that make me want to try hard to give this school and its students what they need. There is so much potential and the needs are many but if I can keep my head screwed on straight it will happen. I know I am here for a reason and I am excited to find out why.
D
P.S. Just bear with me when I have my moments of doubt. I am thankful for my support network back home and the one I am building here in Maine.
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