My students are the reason I get up and go to work every day. Although they probably don't mean much to the rest of the world, they mean everything to me. 84% of them live in poverty, and nearly half of them speak Spanish as their first language. I speak English and very little Spanish, so in the music room, we use non-verbal communication often. Although we speak very different oral languages, we all speak the language of music. I often get hugs from these kids in the hallway, because although we have never had a verbal conversation together, we understand each other through song, dance, and laughter. It is a very special bond.
These kids do not get very many opportunities in their lives, so I try as hard as I can to give them a chance to play instruments, to learn about cultures different from their own, and to find their own self-worth through music. It is a beautiful thing to watch my kids grow as human beings, simply by learning about music and the mutual respect it teaches us.
About my class
My students are the reason I get up and go to work every day. Although they probably don't mean much to the rest of the world, they mean everything to me. 84% of them live in poverty, and nearly half of them speak Spanish as their first language. I speak English and very little Spanish, so in the music room, we use non-verbal communication often. Although we speak very different oral languages, we all speak the language of music. I often get hugs from these kids in the hallway, because although we have never had a verbal conversation together, we understand each other through song, dance, and laughter. It is a very special bond.
These kids do not get very many opportunities in their lives, so I try as hard as I can to give them a chance to play instruments, to learn about cultures different from their own, and to find their own self-worth through music. It is a beautiful thing to watch my kids grow as human beings, simply by learning about music and the mutual respect it teaches us.
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