After 8 years at Miami Park Elementary followed by 20 years at Howard Drive Elementary, I am happy to report that I have now reached retirement status in Dade County Public Schools.
My primary objective has always been: “to instill love and appreciation for MUSIC in each student, and, through those means, a positive connection to individual feelings that could not be achieved through any other means.”
I still plan to be involved with teaching piano privately and other music related areas, to children and adults, as well as playing for parties, etc.
If you're interested, or wish to reach me for any reason, you'll find me at -
etnachta@aol.com
305-596-9640 home
786-382-8282 cell
facebook
Please include your reason for writing in the address window, should you email me, since I tend to delete email from unknown senders, because of potential viruses and the like.
I'm enclosing my statement at the 5th grade awards assembly, since I have gotten much positive feedback on it, as well as to give you an idea of what I've been up to and how I feel:
I feel (the operating verb for a musician) that one of the greatest lessons MUSIC has to offer is that meaningful success can only be achieved as a result of hours of commitment and devotion through love and determination.
All of the 5th grade students in this student body have learned and experienced this through the process of training to execute individual songs in the class room, by which they could feel fulfillment through pride and achievement.
Many 5th graders here have experienced this through their intense commitment to Hurricane Ensemble or Glee Club – our select performing groups - from the intensity of our rehearsals to the joy of our success in our performances at the Book Fair, Holiday Program, Taste of Pinecrest and Spring Concert.
3 outstanding 5th graders represented Howard Drive in this year’s All State Chorus, which performed at the Florida Music Educators Association convention in Tampa back in January, as a result of intense competition among 700 students throughout Florida, from which 200 were selected. They learned this lesson too. I would now like to introduce these outstanding students to you, as they come up to the stage to receive their trophies and certificates, which they so richly deserve. These students are:
Arike Babalola Juliette Choiseul Hunter Maguire
8 outstanding 5th grade students represented us in this year’s Superintendent’s Honors Music Festival, which took place in the Wertheim Performing Arts Center of Florida International University at the beginning of May. They and their families committed ungodly hours to this end. I hope they feel that the great rewards that they achieved were worth their efforts as much as I do. It is now with greatest pride that I call upon the following students to come forward to receive their trophies and certificates, which they so richly deserve. These students are:
Jasmine Butler Hunter Maguire
Nathalie Calderon Victoria Rose
Juliette Choiseul Evan Steinman
Alexander Kaiser Amber Tavakoly
Give it all you’ve got, kids, never be afraid to take a chance, and always stay in touch with your feelings! Only through that can you find the kind of JOY that really counts! And one more thing – please don’t forget the golden rule – treat others as you would want them to treat you, because self-esteem is the most important subject that we teach at Howard Drive.
I’d like to voice my complaint about report cards. Since I’m on my way out, hopefully no one will stone me or hurt me. I feel that they’re completely backwards. The first grade you see is for academic achievement. Next is effort; then conduct. What would happen if that were reversed? If the primary emphasis were placed on conduct, don’t you think that the academic issues might still be attended to just as intensely. If this were done all over the world, maybe we could lay down our weapons and start to enjoy the kind of lives we were truly designed to live.
I would like to say one last word to our visitors. Look at this magnificent student body that is indisputably second to none anywhere. I’m sure you can only feel the same confidence and security that I do regarding our future, considering their outstanding accomplishments and potential.
Thank you for the unending support you have always given to us at Howard Drive.
I hope you're finding some time to listen to great music. Remember - you can read it, write it, sing it, play it, conduct it, do many things to it, but it's not music unless you hear it - and what good is all that unless it touches your feelings!
To all my students in grades 2, 3, 4, 5, as well as my visitors at this website at all ages: you can find considerable reinforcement in my note value lessons if you click on the first of my favorite links below. You'll even find a popup keyboard that you can play on with your mouse. Why don't you check it out, and let me know what you think.
Please don't hesitate to write or call me if you have a question (or comment). I'll respond, if your issue is within my power. Otherwise, I'll do my best to help you find what you're looking for. Thanks for visiting!
www.rosemusiccamps.com an outstanding summer performing arts camp in South Miami - highly recommended!
www.classicalvideorarities.com You can find dvd and cd performances here that you can't find anywhere else, like at Tower or Amazon.
Education Gateways makes no warranty for SchoolNotes.com.
Information on this site is generated by the users. The views
expressed are not necessarily those of Education Gateways or its members, and
Education Gateways is not responsible for user's conduct on SchoolNotes.com.
