To the teacher who frequently walks through an empty parking lot to and from their car...
To the teacher who lost sleep as they agonized over the impact of audition results...
To the teacher who didn't even get a simple "thank you" after a program they prepared for months...
To the teacher who has never had an administrator or colleague attend a performance...
To the teacher whose colleagues treat them as little more than a glorified baby sitter...
To the teacher working every angle they can find to make sure money doesn't keep a kid out of music...
To the teacher finding ways to work with special needs students whose aides don't come to "specials..."
To the teacher on a cart in multiple buildings with dozens of preps and hundreds of students...
To the teacher who has been pulled from music to fill in for a classroom teacher, sometimes on a permanent basis...
To the teacher who schedules things months in advance to avoid conflicts whose carefully planned calendar is rarely taken into account by others...
To the teacher who knows a kid who can't afford reeds can't afford a winter coat either...
To the teacher who continues to push their students and have high expectations, even though it's "just music/band/choir/orchestra/guitar/theory/etc..."
To the teacher who has gotten lay off notices more years than not...
To the teacher who would put MacGuyver to shame with their creativity in keeping equipment up and running when there's no budget to repair or replace it...
We see you. We know you didn't go into music for the recognition, because that's not why we're in it either.
You're making an impact even when it's not appreciated in the moment. Keep your head up and keep making music with kids. And never forget that we're cheering you on, because we see you.
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