I became a teacher because, throughout my schooling years, my teachers were the ones to push me towards what I loved to do. My family was never influenced too heavily by the arts, and so I always thought I would go into the trades or some engineering field. My teachers taught me that it was okay to love the arts, and encouraged me to continue chasing that dream. I want to do that for my students now, no matter what they want to do in life.

My coworker, the band director at my school, passed unexpectedly earlier this year. When it happened, it broke us as a district. A few days later, I called for a meeting of the music students. Together, we celebrated what Mr. K had given us. The ability to create music and share it with the world. I carried on with rehearsal, and when we got to Mr. K's favorite song, the students sang and played with all their hearts. The sound...was beyond any I could imagine. I may never forget this.

I would like to give back to this program that I, and subsequently my Coworker, have created. I would like to donate for new utilities for the arts. New instruments and sound systems would greatly improve our music making. I would also like to establish a small scholarship for the arts, and commission a piece to be written for my dear friend.