Outstanding Teachers Part I
One of my favorite teachers of all time was my fourth grade band director, Mr. Worley. Mr. Worley had such enthusiasm for his profession and for music and played a very important role in my life. He introduced me to my primary instrument, the flute, and to the world of music, thus shaping me into who I am and what I most love today. He also cared very much for his kids. For example, one day at recess I fell on the asphalt and got a bloody knee and, disturbed by the blood, fainted upon returning to music class. Mr. Worley not only took me to the nurse's office, but sat with me until my mother was able to come and pick me up. Another fabulous attribute Mr. Worley displayed was his ability to help his students grow. Mr. Worley chose very difficult literature for a beginning band and taught us how to practice and push ourselves to achieve our greatest potential. His dedication to his job and his love of music made him an inspiration to me and my fellow band mates, and one of the most outstanding teachers I have ever had.
Another of my greatest teachers was my freshman math teacher, Mrs. Kotzman. Math has never been a strong subject for me and I was never able to keep the math clear and feel confident in my ability to learn the material. Mrs. Kotzman was the first math teracher I ever had where I felt that I could really excel in this subject. She had a very strong presence in the classroom and was one of the most respected teachers in our school. For example, when she would walk down the hallway in between class periods, the halls would go quiet and kids would behave, which was unfortunately quite rare at my high school at times. She demanded that students stay focused and learn the material thoroughly, and although she was a very hard teacher, nearly every student, including myself, got straight A's.
I believe that Mr. Schulz was my most outstanding teacher. Mr. Schulz was the senior Honors English teacher at my school. This man loved his subject and his job. What made him so exceptional to me was, in addition to strengthening my reading, writing and grammar skills, he made me examine who I am as a human being. His philosophy for the classroom was that each student had to learn to "paddle their own canoe," or learn how to think for themselves. We analyzed readings and theories in the curriculum in new and interesting ways. We wrote abstract pieces that really made us think such as the assignments "Who Am I" and "The World Around Me." This man taught our class how to see the world in new and beautiful ways and apply our knowledge in a much more meaningful way. Mr. Schulz truly touched my heart. I feel like I grew more in this classroom than I ever have anywhere else, and I will be eternally grateful for that gift from this outstanding man.
I feel that I should make a special reference to my high school band director, Mr. Eyster, who played an enormous role in preparing me both musicially and otherwise for college. He, too, was an outstanding teacher and an inspiration to play under. Mr. Eyster allowed me numerous opportunities to play in different areas, including introducing me to jazz by inviting me to play in the YMA European Concert Tour Jazz Ensemble as well as in our own jazz band. He also pushed me and helped me to play in different ensembles on several different instruments, whether it be brass ensemble, pit orchestra, or drumline. Mr. Eyster introduced me to music theory and music technology, coached me in a very beneficial independent study, and overall seemed to change my musical limits. Pictured here at our annual Band Banquet with his wife, whom I affectionately call my Mom away from home, Mr. Eyster was and still is a very important teacher to me.