Teacher of the Quarter

O.K., Folks.  Today has been an awesome day.  It isn't everyday that an entourage of family, friends, an Assistant Principal and several PTSA Board Members storm your room and shower you with blessings.  I was completely taken by surprise when they announced the reason for their visit.

My students voted me the new "Teacher of the Quarter."  They gave me flowers, a plaque, a prime parking space, lots of hugs and a $100 gift card to Outback Steakhouse.  It was just as good as "Teacher of the Year" and I didn't have to complete the ominous packet to compete with everyone else!!


My heartfelt thanks go out to my students who make my job interesting, exciting and filled with music everyday. 

O, Happy Day.......

The Week That Was

I knew it was coming.  I prepared mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually during Spring break which was the week prior to "The Week That Was."  This week actually began on Tuesday, March 29th - our first day back from Spring Break 2016.

I have decided that Spring Break is just a tease....a big tease, in preparation for summer break.  Waking up without an alarm, chilling with friends, hitting the beach, fishing on the pier, reading a good novel -- this is my idea of an awesome Spring Break.  I'm always too tired to travel.  The thought of packing a bag to go anywhere does not excite me.  By this time of the year, I am tired.  Really tired.  Spring Break is the week I use to re-charge my batteries.  I'm top-tier when it comes to "doing."  I'm lower than pond scum when it comes to just "being."  Spring Break is my time to just "be."

We returned to school on Tuesday.  On Wednesday, we took our Senior Photo at the beach in full concert regalia, then headed back to school for a 2-hour rehearsal for State Solo and Ensemble with our accompanist.  Thursday, we had a 4-hour technical rehearsal for our annual talent showcase.  It would not have lasted that long, but the breaker blew while our lighting designer was recording light cues for the show and had to start all over.  Friday, April 1st - our "Fletcher's Got Talent" talent showcase took the stage!! I was at school from 6:30 a.m. until 9:30 p.m. yesterday.  Today - I took a bus load of 25 students to see a "live" stream of "Madame Butterfly" in HD.  Yes...24 high school chorus students, one keyboard student and two chaperones on a Saturday to see an opera.  It was awesome!! 

Seniors - 2016

Talent Show Crew - Student Officers

 The Metropolitan Opera House - New York, New York

1:00 p.m. matinee "Madame Butterfly"

"Live" Stream in HD at Douglas Anderson School of the Arts

1:00 p.m. matinee - Jacksonville, Florida

Intermission 1 - Pizza!!

On Tuesday, April 5th, I will take 11 students to compete in the Florida Vocal Association's North State Solo and Ensemble Music Performance Assessment...and thus will end my "Week That Was."

Until next time...