[Advisor’s Note: This article is being re-released as a correction for previously inaccurate information; we apologize for any confusion.]
A new star is coming to Saegertown, but for a new star to come, one has to leave. Sadly, our beloved teacher Adrian Lyons is leaving us, going to another school to be closer to her fiancé. We have a new star coming to Saegertown, Alanna Heck, our new music teacher.
Before Lyons left, we wanted to ask her some questions, the first one being, “Why did you become a teacher?” She responded with, “I became a teacher because I had a senior high band director, who is very important to me, who helped me grow not only as a person but also as a student; he was the person who helped me go to college. I didn’t think I was going to be a music teacher. I wanted to be a neuropsychologist, and having him and his impact on my life pushed me to become a music teacher.”
Lyons also expressed her emotions on leaving. “I am sad,” she said, “the students I’m going to miss the most—I care about them so much, and it was a difficult choice between my personal life and my career, but ultimately, I chose my family.”
She further reflected on her favorite memory during her interview, saying, “I would say my favorite place I have been to this year was hosting the district chorus at Allegheny College; it was fun.”
Ms. Heck has had experience teaching marching bands, choirs, and general music, including as an assistant director for the Apollo-Ridge marching band from Spring Church, PA, but this was her first solo teaching experience.
“My participation in music while I was in middle/high school was a formative part of my development as a human,” Heck said. “The cognitive and emotional benefits of music are important, but the social benefits of being in musical groups and all sharing a common goal (to love music) were instrumental to me growing up. After trying my first career path (the corporate world), I knew that I wanted to become a teacher instead.”
Heck was also asked, “What are you most excited for this year?” She responded with, “I am most excited to get to know the students and for us all to work together to put on the spring concert! I am excited for their loved ones and peers to see all of their hard work and join in on their love of music-making.” We are all very sad Ms. Lyons is leaving, but we are so excited to see what the future holds for us with Ms. Heck.