Every morning during the first and second period transition, Ms. Shoemaker stands outside the guitar room, greeting incoming orchestra, choir, and guitar students with a bright smile and a tuneful “Good morning!”
Along with Ms. Freel, Ms. Shoemaker is new to our musical arts department. She is entering her eighth year as a music teacher, having previously taught orchestra, band, and general music in elementary and middle schools. This is her first year teaching at a high school.
Ms. Shoemaker has always had a deep connection with music. “I just love the way music makes me feel.” With a father who rents and tunes pianos, she started playing the piano from a very young age. Music has always been something for her to fall back on. “It just gave me a home when I felt like I didn’t have one.” She wants to bring that feeling to her students and create a space that allows them to “feel like themselves.”
To Ms. Shoemaker, the importance of teaching guitar goes beyond the music. “The most important thing about teaching music is teaching human beings.” Students learn responsibility and accountability in practicing their music, bringing their instruments, and collaborating with other musicians. She says that this level of communication and connection with other students is something they don’t get in many other classes.
Performances are what tie together all of the skills learned in guitar class. Ms. Shoemaker wants guitar students to be able to carry on their traditions, including the Coffee Cafe, the Talent Show, and the semiannual Lunch Jams. However, because the guitar teacher position has been cut down to part-time, Ms. Shoemaker feels stuck. She wonders, “If [the county] know[s] that I’m part-time and that I’m going to do it for free, is this position ever going to go back up to full-time?” In other words, full-time involvement of a part-time teacher is risky. This year, more student involvement is necessary to bring our guitar students to the stage. “I will do what I can do to support that,” she says.
There is no doubt Ms. Shoemaker loves music, and it shows in her love for teaching. As we welcome her into our Ohana, let’s show Ms. Shoemaker what Lake pride is all about!
