If At First You Don't Succeed: PRACTICE!

Celebrating Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month

This project is a part of the Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month celebration because it supports a Latino teacher or a school where the majority of students are Latino.

My Students

For teachers, prep time is sacred; however, I gladly forgo prep for band students who ask for help. They want to practice and grow, but I don't have the method books and resources to push them!

Minnesota has one of the worst achievement gaps in the country, and of free or reduced price lunch students, and only 25% of Latino Minneapolis students graduate from high school.

I work at a public charter school proving that all children are capable of success, regardless of zip code, race, or other factors. 95% of our students qualify for free or reduced price lunch, and 99% of our students are students of color. 100% of our students are on the path to and through college. Unlike many other schools in our position who have had to cut the arts due to funding and testing pressure, our band program is growing and thriving and becoming a vital part of our school culture.

My Project

This year, one of my prep times is when all students have their advisory, so for the first time since I started this band program, I'll be able to pull students for lessons and additional help! Right now, we only have Standard of Excellence 1 books and some concert band repertoire. My second year students are constantly pushing for more and asking what's next, and the only additional method books I have for them are what I personally own and loan to them. With this project, I'm requesting Rubank Advanced books and a classic instrument-specific book for each instrument. Rubank does a great job of progressing students through various technical passages, and I'm excited to dive in with my students when this project is funded!

Unlike the students of schools only a few miles away known for their incredible music programs and beautiful rehearsal rooms, my students don't necessarily have the means to spend a considerable amount on instruments, method books, and private lessons.

I try to make sure that I provide as many opportunities as I can, and in return, I have some of the hardest working, passionate students I've ever taught. By donating to this project, you'll be opening up their musical world.