John Vaughn was born in Rome, Georgia during the 1930s. Vaughn attended Morris Brown College and served in the Korean War as a battalion engineer. Vaughn taught in Summerville, Mississippi and has participated in the civil rights initiatives of…
Ethel Johnson was born in Athens in 1940, where she grew up and attended West Broad, Reese Street, and Athens Industrial and High School. In this interview, Johnson relates her experiences from grade school to graduate school. She talks about her…
Content Warning: This interview contains racial slurs.Tony Rucker was born near Commerce in 1953 and grew up playing piano and saxophone. He attended the University of Georgia for his undergraduate and masters’ degrees before attending Florida State…
Charles Worthy was born and raised in Montgomery, Alabama. He attended Alabama State University in Montgomery, meeting his wife during his time there, and later moved to Athens for work. In this interview, he talks about his journey from a youth in…
Robert Lawrence has worked as a music teacher at Clarke Central High School for many years. Despite originally majoring in marine biology at Troy University, Lawrence has found joy in the teaching profession throughout his years. In this interview,…
Laura Stanley is a band director at Brookwood High School in Snellville, Georgia. Stanley discusses why she became a teacher, the rewards and challenges of teaching, and hopeful moments. She also talks about motivating her students and mentorship.
Jeffrey Rowser is a band director at Morgan County High School in Madison, Georgia. Rowser discusses why he became a teacher, his music education, and the rewards and challenges of teaching. He describes music as a positive outlet for students,…
Katie Williams is a choral director at Oconee County High School in Watkinsville, Georgia. Williams discusses her path to teaching, her music education, and the rewards and challenges of teaching. She also describes her teaching style, learning from…
Katie Rogers is the Associate Band Director at Duluth High School in Duluth, Georgia. Rogers discusses her path to teaching and highlights specific moments of pride, challenge, and humor. She also discusses her teaching style, her role as both a…
Judith Spears is a retired choral music teacher at Dacula High School in Dacula, Georgia. Spears discusses her music education, her path to teaching, and the rewards and challenges of teaching. She talks about having her son as a student and also…
Angela Baddock is an orchestra director at Harrison High School in Kennesaw, Georgia. Baddock discusses her path to teaching music and the rewards and challenges of teaching. She also talks about making connections with students and other teachers.
Zandra Bell-McRoy is a band director at Cedar Shoals High School in Athens, Georgia. Dr. Bell-McRoy discusses the demographics of the school, the school’s band program, and her path to teaching music. She also talks about her teacher training, why…
Chelsea Rhoades is a choral director at North Paulding High School in Dallas, Georgia. Rhoades discusses the demographics of the school, her path to teaching, and the highs and lows she’s experienced in the profession. She talks about how she…
Myra Rhoden is the Band Director and Fine Arts Department Chairperson at Fayette County High School in Fayetteville, Georgia. Dr. Rhoden discusses her career path, her proudest moments, and her approaches to teaching and mentorship. She also…
Tanya Chanphanitpornkit is a high school orchestra teacher in Niagara, New York. Chanphanitpornkit discusses the diversity of her school, the challenges of teaching, and how she keeps her students engaged.
Rosie Riquelme is a Director of Orchestras at Collins Hill High School in Suwanee, Georgia. Riquelme discusses the diversity of the school, her approach to teaching, and the challenges she experienced. She also talks about her favorite moments and…
Ashley Whelchel is a chorus, band, and musical theater teacher at North Hall High School in Gainesville, Georgia. Dr. Whelchel discusses her path to teaching, the demographics of the school, and the rewards and challenges of teaching.
Krissi Davis is an orchestra director at Grady High School in Atlanta, Georgia. Davis discusses the demographics of the school, why she became a teacher, and why some teachers quit. She also describes her motivations and pride in seeing students…
Ashley Drake is a guitar teacher at Duluth Middle School in Duluth, Georgia. Drake discusses the demographics of the school, her path to becoming a guitar teacher, and the challenges and rewards to teaching. She also talks about influences and…
Tonna Carbaugh-Dieter is a high school orchestra director in the Twin Valley School District in Elverson, Pennsylvania.This interview was recorded remotely.
Jonathan Grantham is a high school band director at Amador High School in the Pleasanton Unified School District in Pleasanton, California.This interview was recorded remotely.
Michael Kobito is Director of Bands at Woodland High School in Cartersville, GA and the 2022 Georgia Teacher of the Year.This interview was recorded remotely.
Walter Pyron was born in Griffin, Georgia and attended Anna Shockley Elementary during the years of segregation. Pyron additionally worked as the band director for Griffin High School before becoming the assistant principal of Futral Road Elementary…
