Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1205100
16 | WEAnews WEA News had the opportunity to sit down with Wyoming Music Teacher of the Year awardee, WEA member Monica Huntington. Monica is a Pre-K-6 General Music Teacher at Arp Elementary in Cheyenne. Of her award, Huntington said, "It's very humbling. I'm extremely honored to be selected out of all of the teachers in Wyoming. I really do feel like nothing great has ever been accomplished by oneself. I know that I have been fortunate to have amazing mentors and colleagues here in Cheyenne and the State of Wyoming; they're just so good. They spur me on to be as good as I can be." Huntington emphasizes that students learn soft skills in her classroom that carry over into all aspects of their education and lives. "My goal as a teacher is not necessarily to have a bunch of kids who leave my program being incredible, virtuoso musicians, but to be well-rounded, good citizens," she said. "Through what we do in the classroom, they learn a lot of non-musical skills through the venue of music. We work a lot on listening skills, and how to pick up cues, and find important information. It's a different way to learn in the music room, and it clicks with some kids in a way that maybe it doesn't in the traditional classroom environment." In addition to furthering their musical skills, students in Mrs. Huntington's class benefit from a sense of community. "For some kids—especially those who are not really strong in academics or athletics—this gives them a place to belong," said Huntington. "There are a lot of things about music education that I'm hoping to give my students that are not necessarily musical skills; they are life skills, and we just use the venue of music to explore those things." Huntington contends that the key to being an exemplary educator lies in a willingness to be a lifelong student. "Never stop learning. I think as soon as we decide that we know it all, we're in trouble and in danger of losing our fire and losing our drive and our passion for what we do, and it's a slippery slope at that point when we stop learning," Huntington said. "Take as many classes as you can. Go to as many workshops as possible. Ask around. We have such amazing educators in this state, and they have such good ideas. We all can work together to be the best that we can be." Monica Huntington: Wyoming Music Teacher of the Year Congratulations 1. Arp students learning how to play the ukulele. 2. Monica Huntington with Arp Principal Steven Loyd. 3. Pre-Kindergartners learning about music. "Education is a team effort, and we all play a part in the development of our kids no matter what we do in the school. So, we need a community to belong to that supports us. I'm proud to support educators in my state no matter what their subject or grade level. We all do it together. It's a huge community and a great organization." 1 2 3