I had a great time in Poplarvile, MS this past Monday. The auditorium was packed with all the teachers anxious to begin the new year. Mr. Merritt, the superintendent, introduced me to the faculty and staff and I was recieved very warmly. I began by playing "Somewhere Over The Rainbow" on my trumpet...just a short version...to emphasize that I was given the opportunity to play a musical instrument in the fourth grade, and I continued throughout junior high, high school, and two years of college. And, my trumpet helped pay for those two years of college at Mississippi Dleta Junior College. If kids are given opportunities whether it be music, dance, art, or any creative avenue, this gives them a different kind of interest. I incorporated my Powerpoint presentation, invited a couple teachers up to read several pages from a children's book emphasing the importance of reading and reading alowd. At the end of my presentation, I again invited about six teachers up to participate in my Grand Finale. Putting on "The Fifth of Beethoven", I demonstrated dance moves for my volunteers to just get funky, and at the same time, I did a drawing of two dolphins jumping out of the water. I use the dolphin since they are in one of my books, and they are just fun to draw. After the music stops, and my presentation is concluded, I offer the piece of art to one of the participants to frame and put in their school.
I had fun and encouraged teachers to do what they do best. Teach their children and let encourage them to learn and have fun.
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