A famous quote, sometimes attributed to artist Pablo Picasso, says “The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away.” This idea may best define what music teachers do for millions of students year in and year out.
In many cases, this work may not be publicly praised. However, Pepper has interviewed numerous professional musicians who certainly have not forgotten life-changing music teachers who instilled in them a joy of music and a passion for their careers. For Teacher Appreciation Week, we are sharing some of these stories in the video below.
Pepper thanks all the teachers who are using their gifts to inspire their students every day. We greatly appreciate the difference you are making in our younger generations. If you have any “thank you” stories you’d like to share, please feel free to add them in the comments.
Thank you so much for this post! I am a “part-time” music teacher at a small school but I was just thinking of all of the students that have come back to tell me “thank you” over the past 30 years: The student who became the drummer for Christ Tomlin; the student that now works in the music store for fun; the student that plays the harp at church; the student that is now a worship leader; the student that was cast in a Netflix show; the student that is now a teacher… and the list goes on and on. My job has been anything but part-time!!! I develop my skills, I listen to music and watch performances daily, I feed my passion and share it with my students. I love helping them discover their gifts and then giving them a place to share them. Then I watch them soar!! What a blessing – MUSIC – the only gift from God that we will enjoy for all of eternity!
Thanks so much for sharing your story and your gifts, Paula! We’re so glad to hear your students have come back to thank you, and it’s even more wonderful that they are passing along what you have taught them to others. Yes, music is a gift and a blessing!
I noticed the comment by Paula Threlkeld. I am a music teacher and pianist and grew up in Shreveport, LA. Some of our family’s best friends were named Threlkeld. I was a junior bridesmaid in the wedding of Delores Threlkeld. I live in Moss Beach CA now and have a family living now in California and in Illinois who are nearly all musicians, teachers and performers.