Catherine Harris-Herchenroeder

Tell us why you became a teacher

I thought the urge to become a teacher for many years because my mother and grandmother were also teachers. At some point of professor said to me, I’m not sure you could live your life without music in it every day and that’s when I decided to share my love of music through teaching. I have since moved through special education, English language arts, and back to performing arts in my 25 years.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

I think these are all centered around one class that I created, and inclusive musical theater class. Tom, a student with learning disabilities, could not remember anything he learned throughout the day, but he knew every word to every song we did in every musical. He earned a solo in the song, “sit down you’re rocking the boat”. I just remember that he got a standing ovation from everyone in the audience, the night of the performance, because that’s what happens when your friend has a solo.

What would you do with the $25,000?

I would create a summer camp for middle school students to come and perform musicals along with high school student students who are mentors. It would be an inclusive summer experience.