Why Ruth LeMay Inspires Us

“As Principal of a high school every day is an adventure filled with possibilities and difficulties. This is the best way to explain my experiences with a fabulous and gifted music teacher, Ruth LeMay. In the course of our conversations I am never surprised, always interested, and trying to be prepared for what might be coming next. In keeping with the norm, one day as we are talking about student schedules and possible class offerings, Ruth who teaches vocal music and guitar casually asks how we could offer a music class for special needs students. Not exactly sure where this was headed, I made the effort as the wise old administrator to not directly respond to the question and explained some problems with certification and Individual Education Plans (IEPs) for the students, liability, funding, and time in the schedule.

After rounding the barn, a couple times, I knew that Ruth was asking for more than what I was offering. Ok, Ruth, what are you thinking about? So, she begins the formative outline of an introductory guitar class for special needs students. As usual this is a planned, thought-out idea that she has researched and considered for some time. She could make time in her schedule. She discussed some thoughts with a special education teacher in the building. She could modify the materials needed for the specific curriculum and it would be a bona fide class for the students.
With her guidance and expertise, we met, faced some other issues, and decided it was time to approach our Central Office. We are accustomed to begging for forgiveness but with students involved and some potential legal and funding problems, we decided that this time asking for permission was in order.

With paperwork, curriculum, and materials she arranged a meeting which would include a live example of what all this might look like in a typical class for these students. I created room in the budget for the class to be offered in Ruth’s schedule. We secured cooperation with a special needs teacher. The building Union representative was brought into the discussion and agreed. The Department chair and the music faculty supported and endorsed the addition of the class. We made the pitch to Central Office staff and gained the approval.

Visiting the Ruth’s class in session is a heart stirring experience. The students are actively engaged, excited and stiving to learn. For each student that took on a variety of forms based on individual abilities and previous experience. Ruth created instructional tasks to meet the individual needs and styles. Within the class period was time for some performance. For any first-time visitor this was a time to cough or clean your glasses to make sure you maintained your “adult” manner and not totally tear up.

Every class period was not all that easy and working with high school age students is demanding. Special needs students are interested in learning and can be challenging. The “regular” class offers new struggles and for students still learning cooperation and self-discipline skills there is another layer of instruction and discovery.

The students and the class aides moved from the class to an evening performance scheduled for all music department students. Here was a classroom of students, with their names on the program, sitting with other music students, knowing their parents were mixed out there in a full auditorium for probably the first time. The standing ovation students received was a genuine heart felt emotional outburst from parents, friends, students, faculty, and community members.

Ruth took an idea that should be part of every department in a school and made it real. She provided to students an outstanding opportunity for self-expression, pride, inclusion, accomplishment, and being a part of the school community. Ruth is a marvelous teacher and one that every child should encounter in his/her educational experience. What she has developed should serve as an incentive and example of what is possible in all our school disciplines. And so, in keeping with her nature, she wants to share with all her colleagues. Ruth and her students have performed at National Conferences for music teachers and other events.

Ruth reminds us of why we are teachers and motivates us to strive to meet the needs of all students. She makes us all better and to do better. As an administrator, I need to support her and encourage others. I need to take from her the budgetary and administrative “red-tape” that all too frequently becomes more time consuming then the original task. I need to make sure she is rewarded, recognized, and receives the credit due. I am thrilled that I shared some time with her. I know that I am proud to be part of the same faculty with Ruth LeMay!”

Dr. Bill Smith