2004 School Band and
Orchestra Magazine 50 Directors Who Make a Difference
School Band and Orchestra, December 2004
DIRECT EFFECT: 50 Directors Who Make a Difference
Even the most saccharine of clichés tends to have its foundation in
truth. As such, the notion of "the teacher who changed my
life" really is more than just a hokey device for use in
made-for-television movies and sappy magazine editorials. Rather, it
remains a fundamental truth that educators - particularly those in
middle -and high schools- have opportunities to impact the lives of
children to a degree surpassed only by family members. The teacher who
inspires and energizes a student to reach for lofty goals occupies a
truly unique position in the life of that individual and, moreover,
ultimately has a constructive bearing on the overall well being of
society.
That music can engender a positive influence on
personal growth is self-evident to most of SBO's readership, but in
recent year's we've seen that belief validated over and over again
through research linking music scholarship with increased social and
academic aptitude in a number of disparate areas.
The educators featured with these pages are selected based on
recommendations from state music educator's organizations, national
program rankings, program accomplishments and awards, and individual
student and parent recommendations.
Music directors who put themselves in the position to be that
"teacher who changed my life" for their students are
unquestionably worthy of praise and recognition and, with that in mind
SBO is pleased to present 2004's "50 Directors Who Make a
Difference"
CONNECTICUT
Wayne Splettstoeszer
Director of Bands/Music Technology
Torrington High School
Torrington, CT
Years at School: 8
Total Years Teaching: 10
Students in Program: 85
Making a Difference in Students’ Lives: Before
you can make a difference with your students, you need to know them and
relate to them. All students are different, and making a difference can
come in many different forms. For some students it's asking how their
day was or listening to their problems. For others it might be spending
extra time with them on music. I always say that the percentage of the
school day that I spend as a psychiatrist far outweighs the percentage I
spend as a music teacher. Whatever it may be, show students that you
care and be honest with them. Once students feel as though you care
about them, learning can begin.
Proudest Achievement: I am most
proud of my students - both past and present. I have been very fortunate
to receive many teaching awards, but none of them would have been
possible without my students. They are what I am most proud of.
Most Important Lesson Learned:
Teaching is not about you - It's about the students. Being a mentor and
a friend to students is more important sometimes, than being the teacher
in front of the classroom. Students today come from many different
situations and backgrounds. There are days when making music just has to
take a back seat to other things.
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Torrington
High School 