Monday, December 24, 2018

Honoring a Special Lady This Holidays

Hi all! If you've read my blog before, or even if you've just stumbled upon it, welcome! This year has been a momentous one for me- I started this blog- all about my reflections as a children's artist, as a music teacher, as a former preschool and Kindergarten teacher, and as a parent of a now ten year old. I also released my second children's album and started a YouTube channel (please subscribe)- with music videos of my original songs, music videos for early language learning, and music videos just for fun.

This year I also started studying to become a educational leader- hopefully specializing in arts integration or arts in schools, which leads me to my topic today. I'd like to honor a very special lady who inspired me along a path to education, my recently deceased Great Aunt Bim. Please read her obituary here.

Aunt Bim was a pioneering educational leader in Lansing, MI. She started the gifted and talented program there, and rose from being a Kindergarten teacher to supervising the elementary education program there in a career that spanned over 25 years. I was very lucky to have her in my life.

As a little girl, I had chronic ear infections that led to a severe language delay. I could sense that adults around me were worried and wanted me to work on my speech. I felt bad- like I was doing something wrong, and I didn't know how to fix it.

Aunt Bim was one of those adults that tried to help. Whenever she would visit, she would get me to talk with her in a fun way- in a way that made me feel important, not ashamed. She would read me stories, sing songs with me, get me to share stories with her. She always told me how smart she thought I was and encouraged me in every way.

People like my Aunt Bim are the kind of inspiring, often unsung, leaders that gently nurture children into adulthood. They prepare them to overcome obstacles, think creatively, and develop confidence. They also specialize in preparing others to do so. Aunt Bim inspired me, and I aspire to be as accomplished in helping children as she lived her life to be.

To all those who have found my blog this year- have a Happy Holidays and may 2019 bring more opportunities to nurture our children to find joy and peace!