Myles Finn

Tell us why you became a teacher

I was inspired by some of the great educators I’ve gotten to work with during my schooling. Specifically, my collegiate choir director, Dr. Lee Nelson, showed me the healing and transformative power of music. I’ve been able to relate my experience and love for music to a human level with all of my students, and I believe they will be able to carry a love for music into the rest of their lives.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

In my third year of teaching, a young man entered my room with a chip on his shoulder, and it seemed that he was signed up for choir because a parent made him. Within the span of a year, he had fallen in love with singing, found a talent he didn’t realize he had, and had an incredibly successful year. This year (7 years later), I ran into that young man, and he told me about how impactful my teaching was and how he had gotten out of some dark times, because of his love for music and my class.

What would you do with the $25,000?

I’m so incredibly grateful for the opportunities I was given during my undergraduate work, however, I’m still paying off student loans! Practically, I think it would be best to pay off those loans. I know it’s not flashy, but I would love to be able to pay for my children to go to college, and I know this would be a great catalyst to do so.