Andy Gonzalez teaches math and science to sixth grade stu-
dents at Ascencion Solorsano Middle School. He has served
GUSD for 16 years. His teaching career began in the Bay Area,
and later brought him to South Valley Middle School to work as
a substitute teacher. Based on his track record of performance,
the school’s former principal, Linda Piceno (currently a GUSD
school board trustee), offered him a full-time teaching position.
“I had a great set of mentors early in my career who helped
me to develop and grow into the teacher I am today,” Gonzalez
said, “and I have more to learn to help my students achieve their
best.” His two children are now enrolled in GUSD schools.
GUSD continues to seek out, welcome and mentor qualified
teachers whose passion is to educate our students so they can
reach their full potential.
Andy
Gonzalez
Music Enriches in Surprising Ways
Written By Kimberly Beare, PIO, Morgan Hill Unified School District
GILROY • MORGAN HILL • SAN MARTIN
W
e all want to see students develop positive character
traits. Self-confidence, focus, time management, self-
discipline, patience, perseverance. Qualities that will
help them thrive in learning and in life. Music education may
not be one of the first things that comes to mind when thinking
about how to cultivate these character traits, but it should be.
In recent years, the shift towards STEM (Science, Technology,
Engineering, Math) education has had the unintended
consequence of sidelining music education at many public
schools even though studies by educators, neuroscientists and
psychologists show that playing a musical instrument benefits
brain development in ways that enhance STEM learning.
Fortunately, the Morgan Hill Unified School District has
managed to buck this trend—embracing STEM and Arts
education programs—because they complement each other.
Morgan Hill is just a stone’s throw from Google, Facebook
and Apple; global giants that create jobs for many thousands of
people. We are preparing our students to fill those jobs through
science and physics projects, hands-on assignments, and project-
based learning. At the same time, we offer music education. Our
middle schools boast talented band ensembles that feed into
award-winning high school marching bands.
A study of College Board data showed that students involved
in public school music programs scored, on average, 107 points
higher on the SATs than students with no involvement. While
these findings make headlines, Greg Chambers and Jason Locsin
say that music education offers other compelling benefits beyond
test scores. Chambers and Locsin have seen these benefits first-
hand through their roles as Band Directors in the Morgan Hill
Unified School District.
According to Chambers, “The real testament comes from what
might not be easily measured.”
Chambers explained that Sobrato High School’s Marching
Band devotes 10-25 hours per week to rehearsals and
performances outside of class time. For these students, focus
and time management skills are crucial.
“Band [is like] family for our kids,” Chambers said. “They
eat together, travel together, laugh and cry together, and have
the same desire to see the band be successful while enjoying the
journey.”
Now in its 47th year, Live Oak High School’s world-renowned
Emerald Regime Band demonstrates our school district’s heritage
of dedication to music education. Jason Locsin has led the
Emerald Regime for ten years. The former Live Oak student and
band member said of music education, “Learning to play an
instrument teaches patience and perseverance. Even the most
talented students are challenged in music. If you want to be
good, you have to practice.”
Chambers and Locsin talked about how the study of music
pushes kids to be self-learners. The mastery of their chosen
musical instrument requires self-discipline and creates a sense
of self-confidence. There’s also a sense of individual duty to
learn their part so the band, as a whole, can deliver its best
performance. These habits carry over into their other classes
in a powerful way.
Grades and test scores are an important part of every student’s
life. Extensive research tells us that music education plays a role
in achieving higher grades and test scores and helping students
to excel in STEM education. Just as important are the deeper
benefits of music education, which help our students develop
those positive character traits that will carry them through life.
MARCH/APRIL 2017
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