Rest & Relaxation

Hello everyone!

I hope all of my students and their families are enjoying a happy and safe Thanksgiving vacation. I am definitely using my time to recharge and enjoy some time with my family.

I started teaching full time in 2009, and before that spent time in classrooms doing observations and student teaching. I have taught thousands of students. I may not remember all of their names, but I am thankful for each one of those students for helping me to become a better teacher. They might not all remember the names of the notes on a treble clef in a few years, but I am hopeful that they have all gleaned something positive from a music class along the way. I have encountered students of all ability levels, personalities, and from different environments. They have all had an impact on me of some kind.

I am also grateful for my colleagues, past and present. Some of them have been wonderfully supportive, many are fantastic communicators, and all of them have compassion for our students and a passion for teaching and leading the buildings in which I've taught.

I am grateful for the mentors I've had that have helped me become the teacher that I am. I still use many of their ideas and systems.

I am grateful for my facilities. Some of the music teachers in my network teach from a cart. I am thankful for the spaces I have to teach in.

I am thankful for my music teachers that I had growing up: Mrs. Craine, Mrs. Gregory, Mr. Piper, Mr. Hollen, Mr. Sears, Ms. Helsman, Mrs. Cashman, Mr. Yon, Mrs. Perchy, Mrs. Connell, Mr. & Mrs. Detwiler, Mr. & Mrs. Verzella. All of my college professors.

I am thankful for my mom, who was an elementary school teacher and, despite seeing all the work she put in after hours, still inspired me to go into the world of education.

I am eternally grateful to all of the people who have supported and continue to support the arts in education. It is obvious that reading, writing, math, and science lay the foundation for education. It is necessary that music, art, drama, and language continue to augment and enrich the lives of our students.

I love teaching music and have many favorite units throughout the year, but many of my favorite activities come in the month of December - and I'm excited to share them with you in the coming weeks!
Enjoy the rest of your vacation and I'll see you at school on Wednesday!
- Mrs. Zimmerman