I am Shelly McLeod and I am seeking an opportunity to introduce myself as a future band director.  I learned how to play the flute and began my music career in the fifth grade as a member of the St. Ignace Area Schools beginning band.  The first few weeks of band was frustrating, I could not make a sound on my instrument.  As time progressed and practicing became a must; I improved and eventually came to the level of playing Jingle Bells for our first concert at Christmas time. 

            I continued playing the flute throughout junior high and high school, but I also learned the saxophone so I could audition to play in the high school jazz band.  By my junior year in high school I was a member in the Pep, Marching, Concert, and Jazz Bands, which were all the school’s music ensembles.  I also aided and observed the new elementary music teacher and her program.  When I graduated from St. Ignace’s LaSalle High School, I received the John Philip Sousa award, numerous I ratings at district and state Solo and Ensemble competitions, the Russ Caskey Fundraising award for four years, and other various awards. 

            Currently, I am a student at Albion College majoring in Music with an emphasis in education and a minor in applied instrumental music.  While taking lessons on flute, I have also participated in all the methods classes so I am proficient with each instrument.  I have been active in the marching, pep, and symphonic bands at the college.  This semester I am going to participate in the Albion College symphony orchestra.

            After reading this, one might ask themselves, “Why does Shelly want to become a teacher?”  The answer, I adore children.  In the fifth grade I passed the final level of swimming lessons, but I wanted to do more.  I noticed a little girl having trouble in the lower levels, and it reminded me of myself.  I asked my teacher if I could do anything in order to help this girl learn to swim.  Soon we began a class to allow me to get certified as a Water Safety Instructor’s Aide, which allowed me to provide an example of how to do certain strokes, and physically help those students that were having trouble.  I volunteered during the summer at swimming lessons for the next five years.

            During the school year, St. Ignace did not have swimming lessons and I had to find something other than sports to occupy my time.  My band director asked me if I would give some private flute lessons to a few of his beginning students.  After the first lesson, I knew I found my role in life. I was so excited.  Each lesson we would start with some fundamentals, and then work on a solo piece and a duet.  I got such a thrill every week because the students would improve each week. 

            On the days I did not give lessons, I found myself working at the middle school with the century twenty-one program.  Three days a week I would work with a special education student with her homework. This student was legally blind and hard of hearing.  She had a piece of equipment designed to enhance the words on a page so she could read it.   I was challenged to find creative ways of learning that would allow this student to participate actively.   At the beginning of the session, we would look at all the work she had to do, set a goal, and if we met that goal, we would have some free time to play a game or participate with the crafts.  When I would go home at night, I would feel satisfied because I knew I helped someone learn.  I also knew that the student enjoyed the learning. 

            When looking at possible college careers, I choose music education. I put my two passions together.  I realized that I cannot go a day without teaching somebody something. I also noticed that my favorite school activity was music.  Knowing that I can not live without music, I decided I should become a teacher.  Shortly after arriving at this decision, I took a look at my past teachers and how influential they were to me.  I want to be that person in some child’s life. 

Want to know more? email: slm11@albion.edu