Being new to Green Bay East High School this year I was truly blown away by the experiences and opportunities our students have through our East High School Fine Arts Institute! As a former math teacher and new administrator to the building, I was determined to find a unique way to integrate myself into all aspects of this amazing program. What better way to do that then to learn a new instrument and perform with our students?! I took up early morning piano lessons with our fine arts coordinator, the talented Mrs. Lucinda Roberts as my teacher, and worked the entire year to learn a beautiful piece on the piano to accompany our wonderful choir students in their final concert of the year on May 21st, 2025.

It was a truly special moment for me! Hard to describe in words how much that experience meant. I am so thankful to Lindsay Tippins, choir director, and our students for allowing me this opportunity. They surprised me on stage at the end with flowers as it was my first live performance ever and the students were so excited to support me, supporting them! I shed some tears of happiness. This is why we do the job!

I could not keep track of how many times I messed up in choir rehearsals on the piano, but as a school administrator there is no better way to build relationships or become a part of something greater than yourself, than to be in the trenches with students, being venerable, being out of your comfort zone, and learning something new! Education is so powerful!

Green Bay Area Public School District