Won't You Be My Neighbor?

I learned a lot from Mister Rogers yesterday. I learned things about him I never knew. When he was a little boy, he was afraid to make mistakes. He felt he didn't quite fit in. My heart ached for him and yet I could relate so well. He eventually found where he did fit in and that was in Television--specifically producing a show for children.
This sparked some thoughts about my work as a music teacher and why I fight for music education. I've said over and over that music is not a frill, it's not an extra curricular activity, but rather a part of complete education. I've talked about how it teaches language, social studies, math, and science. It teaches discipline and the art of teamwork to achieve a single goal. All of those things are true.

What I fail to mention all too often, is that music is the only place where many kids finally feel like they fit in. I was that kid. I was successful and I could be myself. I was always excited when I knew I had music that day.

The students I teach and many others, find solace in their music classes. They find a place to belong--a place where they shine. They don't have to speak the language to be able to communicate. Musical expression can be wordless. For so many students I have taught, music might be the only beautiful thing in their day. Music might be the reason they come to school that day. To take this away from so many students is a crime. Why the arts are constantly on the chopping block, is unfathomable to me. I don't know where I would be today were it not for the wonderful music programs I had growing up. My music teachers were my heroes. Each and every one of them. Because of that, I will fight 'til the end of time for music programs to stay alive. I can only hope that I will be just one child's hero for one day.