Absolutely nothing is special about me and at the same time, everything is special about me.  I am a completely unique human being, yet have many things in common with other human beings.  Nobody on this earth has ever had the same fingerprints or exact DNA as me and yet we, as human beings, have shared experiences that bring us together.  So yes, I am special because I am unique, but logically thinking, since everyone is unique, that makes everyone special, correct?  And if everyone is special, then really nobody is special.  Just let that roll around in your head for a while.

In my career, I am actually labeled a “specialist”, primarily because I teach something outside of the three R’s.  Which are not really the three R’s anymore because it’s mostly reading and math with a smattering of science thrown in.  Anyway, since I am not one of them, I am considered to be a “specialist”.  This is actually a misnomer when referring to myself and my other “specialists” because a specialist is someone who concentrates primarily on a particular subject or activity; a person highly skilled in a specific and restricted field.  Well, that would be any educator, right?  So therefore just labeling what I do as a “special” is leaving out what the other educators do by not referring to them as specialists.  So, I will refer to myself and my colleagues as educators rather than specialists.  Because sometimes being labeled a specialist separates you from others who are just as specialized as you are and that’s the shame of it because we sometimes believe that we can’t work together if we’re special.

All of this “special” thinking, got me to wondering what makes me think I can write a book?  I mean, if we’re all “special”, based on the fact that we have unique attributes and experiences, then everyone could write a book.  And they could – if they wanted to.  This is where the difference is in terms of uniqueness.  Because we are all unique and have different gifts and strengths, we also have different passions.  My passion is to share my thoughts concerning my life experiences and how they have affected who and what I teach.  THAT is the basis of my book and it’s that passion that drives my need to write.  So my unique upbringing, circumstances, experiences, personality have all shaped my passion for what I believe is important for children and why I believe that music education is essential for all kids.  My hope is that people who read will connect with some of those experiences and begin to feel that same passion and put that passion into action for others.

What is it that’s unique and special about you?  What circumstances, good and bad, have shaped you into the person you are today?  How have those experiences directed you to where you are today?  Is it where you want to be?  When I began my journey into music, at a very young age, I just liked to sing.  I sang songs with great melodies that stretched my range, even though I didn’t realize that’s what I was doing.  I sang songs with great emotional lyrics, some of which I didn’t understand until I was much older.  Then I began instrumental music, and while I still sang, my dad highly encouraged me to stay in instrumental music.  I believe he did this because he started in instrumental music and gave it up, something I believe he regretted, so I stayed with it through college.

I had a high school band director who, when I talked to him about doing band and choir, told me I couldn’t do both.  Something I disagree with now, but again, an experience that shaped who I am.  Don’t get me wrong – I LOVED band.  Still do, and the people in it who have become lifelong friends and a place where I met my husband.  However, when I did go back to college, (another story for another time), I majored in choral music.  Without the background I probably should have had, but it was a return to what I had always done and that was sing.

Flash ahead to now and I have been teaching elementary/vocal music for many years, hopefully getting kids excited about singing and playing instruments and just learning to love and appreciate music in all its forms.  Why am I still doing this?  Because I have things to share with them about their journey with music.  Things I would do and would not do, based on my experiences.  Things I believe might make their journey better and would definitely make it theirs, not what someone else thinks they should do.  I also believe that this passion extends to adults who are still searching for their dreams, feeling like their journey is going in the wrong direction and not being sure of how to change that direction.  I believe my experiences, although unique to me may be able to help others.

What is so special about me?  Again, everything and nothing.  We all have the passion and drive to do and be something special, to make a difference in this world.  My goal in writing my book is to encourage you to continue to journey forward and trust that the special experiences you are having, good or bad are shaping you into someone who can change lives in the same way I hope I can through this book.  Bon Voyage!