Скачать или смотреть Garrett Spalka | Director, Bands & Mariachi | John F. Kennedy Jr. High School

What is one career accomplishment you’re proud of?

I am most proud of a marching band championship I won with students I had in Nevada. It was the first time in the 40 years of that championship that they had won. I didn’t care about the trophy or the title, but what I will never forget is the accomplishment shared by the students at one of the poorest schools in the entire state. They proved to their community, their peers and most importantly themselves that they could accomplish anything they wanted. I am proud I have been able to produce a similar atmosphere in my classroom in Utah and take great pride in providing a place where students feel important, seen and loved.

If you could change one thing to improve Utah’s education system, what would it be?

I would love to see a greater focus on allowing students to enjoy the experience of school. Grades and classes are important, and we should always strive for producing the best scholarly minds, but there is more to school than class. Many schools and classrooms are driven by advanced courses and obtaining degrees and certificates before students graduate. We are losing a major component of the educational experience: social learning. Students are missing out on participating in marching band, cheer team, robotics club or sports. As educators, we are uniquely positioned to provide the optimal environment for students to balance these parts of their lives.